The Italian Renaissance at the V&A museum for half term

Looking for creative half term events for kids? The V&A museum has a trio of family events this summer half term that encourage children get messy and work with artists. Here's our guide to the V&A family events this half term.

The Imagination Station

Saturday 23 May 2015 to Sunday 31 May

There’s so much for children to learn about the Italian Renaissance: from the early masters of perspective, Masaccio and Giotto, to the visionaries of the Italian High Renaissance, Michelangelo, Raphael and Botticelli and even Leonardo Da Vinci. An interactive performance teaches children about the original master painters before they embark on their own design for a pice of art or sculpture.

Children are encouraged to get involved in the story of the renaissance, and the engaging performative approach is sure to inspire plenty of imaginative artworks from mini Michelangelos.

Suitable for all the family: free, drop-in

Digital Kids

Saturday 23 May to Sunday 31 May

For kids who prefer iPad screens to art galleries, there's a chance to combine technology and creativity to make digital masterpieces. Experts will be on hand to help show children how to create digital art, introducing them to the basics of online design in this free half term event.

Suitable for ages 5+: free, drop-in

Make It: Sculpture

Monday 25 May 2015 to Friday 29 May

Families are invited to make a three-dimensional sculptures, inspired by the vast array of post-classical European sculpture in the V&A's newly refurbished Cast Courts. Expect to find yourself making much smaller (and more manageable) statues than the ones found in the gallery, using plaster of paris in the nearby Ceramics Public Studio, before painting the little statue and taking it home.

Suitable for ages 5-12. Tickets are £7.50 per child and booking is recommended.

What	Summer Half term 2015 at the V&A
Where	V&A, South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL \| MAP
Nearest tube	South Kensington (underground)
When	23 May 15 – 31 May 15, Free, drop-in
Price	£Free - £15
Website	Click here for more information

About the V&A

Opened in 1852 by Queen Victoria, the Victoria and Albert Museum (known as the V&A) was initially intended as an educational museum of manufacturing techniques. Today its identity has veered towards aesthetics. Its vast holdings of sculpture, furniture, jewellery, ceramics, costumes, prints and drawings make it the largest museum of decorative arts in the world with over 4.5 million objects spanning 5000 years. Looking into the central courtyard, the rich and expertly curated Sculpture Galleries are a staple favourite for Culture Whisper. Exhibitions tend to be inventive and of Blockbuster proportions.