Timeless Toys at Beamish Museum

The event is included in admission and is free to Beamish Unlimited Pass holders and Friends of Beamish members.

There’ll be Georgian games galore to try at Pockerley Old Hall, including knurr and spell, stack dominos and nine men’s morris.

Experience an Edwardian childhood and play with wooden toys such as the cup and ball and Jacob’s ladder in The 1900s Pit Village school, don’t forget to head out into the school playground – can you master the booler?

Learn circus skills in the park in The 1900s Town and head to the Masonic Hall to play board games from the 1900s and put your creative skills to the test as you create your very own board game.

Play continues at The 1940s Farm with a selection of traditional toys.

Head to The 1950s Town to play with skipping ropes and hula hoops. Enjoy playing in Coronation Park which includes a sandpit and 1950s-style playground. Plus, play a game of miniature golf (small charge applies).

In the welfare hall, a fantastic display of toys through time is sure to bring back memories for visitors of all ages. From domestic toys of the 1900s and blow football to ET and Astro Invader, will you spot your favourite childhood toy?

Try on 1950s costume at Spain’s Field Farm and enjoy farm-related fun including hobby horses and traditional toys. The farm is currently open weekends and Bank Holidays only to allow for the continuing construction work on The 1950s Town.

Rosie Nichols, Keeper of Social History at Beamish Museum, said: “From traditional Georgian games at Pockerley and teddy bears’ picnics to circus skills and fabulous 50s fun, we’re inviting everyone to come and play at Beamish Museum this May Half Term!

“Put your Beamish Unlimited Pass or Friends of Beamish membership to good use and join us for our Timeless Toys event.”

The toytastic event is taking place ahead of the museum opening a toy shop in its 1950s Town later this summer!

The 1950s toy shop is named after a toy shop and newsagents once found in Middlesbrough called Romer Parrish.

The shop will feature toys from the museum’s collections, as well as a dolls’ hospital where visitors will be able to see how broken dolls were repaired in the decade. Visitors will also be able to buy 1950s-inspired toys. 

Also opening at Beamish this summer is a 1950s electrical shop, A Reece Ltd, Radio and Electrical Services, and the museum’s recreation of The Grand cinema from Ryhope, Sunderland.

The Timeless Toys event is included in museum admission and is free for Beamish Unlimited Pass holders and Friends of Beamish members, pay once and visit free for 12 months.

For more information, visit www.beamish.org.uk.