International Day of Play! – Early Years Special Event Day

Wednesday 11 June 2025 | 10am-3.30pm Show all dates and times

Celebrate International Day of Play across the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum and Coventry Transport Museum.

Drop In | FREE with Admission*

For ages 0-4

*Children can enter the museum for free, however accompanying adults will need to pay an admission fee.

Celebrate International Day of Play across the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum and Coventry Transport Museum, in collaboration with the 50 Things to Do Before You’re 5 app. 

We will be hosting a wide variety of activities and workshops throughout the day, as part of the United Nation’s annual celebration of the power of play. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to create a new International Day of Play, with more than 140 countries as co-sponsors. The goal was to spotlight the importance of play in children’s lives, learning, and development, and to call attention to the need to protect and support children’s right to play. 

Across CV Life’s Museum venues, we have always valued the importance of play in childhood. On 11th June 2025, we will be helping families in the city to achieve activities based on the 50 Things to Do Before You’re 5 app, from Coventry City Council’s Start for Life Team. 

What to expect on the day: 

• Visit both the Herbert and Coventry Transport Museum to enjoy a wide range of play-based activities. 
• We will have a mixture of self-led activities for you to explore, along with facilitated workshops led by our Learning and Engagement Team. 
• Messy play activities will be included, so come prepared with spare clothes for your little ones and avoid wearing anything you are precious about. 
• Outdoor activities, including mud kitchen activities, potion making and nature art will happen in the community garden space at the Herbert. 
• The transport museum will introduce your little ones to lots of STEM inspired activity, encouraging early engineering skills, problem solving and construction. 
• We will provide you with an activity overview on the day, so you know what is happening, where and when, plus an easy-to-use checklist to tick of your activities as you go. 
• Our museum environment is very relaxed and friendly. You can join in for as long or as little as you like throughout the day. 
• Complete 10 or more activities across the day and receive a certificate and badge for your child. 

To find out more about the 50 Things to Do Before You’re 5 app for Coventry, please visit: 50 Things to Do | Coventry