Like most mums in the Summer holidays, Jessica spends her time desperately trying to think of things to keep her little ones occupied - especially if that involves peeling them away from a screen for a few hours. When she stumbled upon the Shaun on the Tyne art trail earlier in the summer, they realised a new found love for art as a family. Read on to hear about their day with Shaun and Hancock Gallery.
"I was really happy to stumble upon the Shaun on the Tyne Art Trail. We got lucky with the weather and set out on the hunt together. My kids are 3 and 5 with a competitive streak, so they loved the treasure hunt aspect, looking out to find each unique Shaun around town.
Inspired by our artistic escapade, we ventured in to Hancock Gallery. We’ve always lived in the North East, but hadn’t been in the gallery before.To be honest, I was a bit hesitant at first, feeling a bit self-conscious in this fancy gallery on a family day out. I thought it might be stuffy. And I might dip my head in a big tourist gallery if I was on holiday, but felt like a bit of an imposter going somewhere people go to buy art, because that’s just not something I’ve ever done.
I needn’t have worried though, because as soon as we went in the experience room, my worries fell away. Everyone was really friendly, and the kids jumped headfirst into the creative activities, happily immersed in their own artistic worlds.
The best part was taking home a bundle of ideas for art activities we could do together. Armed with inspiration from the trail and the gallery, our dining table transformed into a makeshift art studio. We experimented with different mediums, from watercolours to papier-mâché, and laughed at our messy masterpieces.
Watching my kids fearlessly dive into each new project, I feel silly for having being nervous stepping into a gallery. Art doesn’t have to be this guarded-off world with unspoken rules. You can really make it yours - Find the art that you like, and encourage your kids to do the same. Seeing their confidence and enthusiasm has been an absolute joy."
- A happy Mum from North Shields
If you feel inspired to get your little ones into art, you can join us Tuesday to Saturday from 10am until 5pm. Our Shaun on the Tyne experience room is on the first floor of the gallery (stair access only) and is free to attend. Read our guide on and discover the benefits of art for your child, how to create an art-friendly environment, activities you can do with them at home, and more.
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