Festive Fun Day ❄

Celebrate ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ at our fun and festive day.

Get swept up in an array of activities for all ages – including wintery storytelling, document workshops, chocolate making, carol singing, crafts, facepainting, sensory play and more – accompanied by mince pies and mulled wine for the grownups.

Don’t miss out! Book your general entrance tickets now (£5 per person, under 3s go free) and be sure to 'add on' bookings for some of our in-demand timed activities.

TIMED ACTIVITIES

Giant Christmas Chocolate Button Workshop
13:00, 13:45, 14:30, 15:`15 (c. 30 mins)| For ages 5 to12| additional £5 fee
Children will decorate their own giant chocolate button to take home with the team from My Chocolate. Please note this workshop has an additional charge. We also cannot guarantee an allergen free experience. The chocolate used may contain traces of nuts. There will be vegan chocolate options available.

Time Travel Club: Festive Storytelling
11:00 (c. 45 mins) | For ages 5 to 7

Using props, toys and music go a sensory storytelling adventure to learn about the years Christmas was cancelled in the 1600s.

Time Travel Club: Christmas Past
11:45 and 14:00 (c. 60 mins) | For ages 8 to11

Find out more about some of the weird and wonderful Christmas traditions of years gone by in this fun workshop featuring original archive documents.

Sensory Play and Christmas Craft
13:00 and 14:15 (c.45 mins) | For under 5s

Tots and babies can have fun exploring and playing in our festive sensory play and craft sessions.

ACTIVITIES RUNNING THROUGHOUT THE DAY

Origami (for ages 5 and above)

Make your own beautiful origami decorations with artist Toshiko Kurata using copies of images and designs from our collection.

Christmas Craft Club (for all ages)

Have fun getting creative with our drop-in Christmas Craft Club.

Facepainting

Our resident face painter ArtyCat Faces will be on hand to transform you into a reindeer, elf or holly princess!

CAROLS AROUND THE TREE

Carols by Blue School Choir
11:45 and 14:00

We are delighted to be hosting the wonderful Blue School Choir again this year, who will be treating us to a selection of seasonal favourites by our Christmas tree in the foyer.

GIFTS AND REFRESHMENTS

Explore the wonderful and unique gift selection in our shop and enjoy a selection of delicious festive food and treats available to purchase from our café, including children's Christmas-themed lunch boxes, gingerbread, mince pies, mulled wine and hot chocolate.

KEY EVENT INFORMATION

All persons attending the event require a ticket for entry - children and adults. Please book as many general admission tickets as needed for your family and then book ‘add on’ activities to avoid disappointment on the day.

The day is fully flexible, so you can drop in for 30 minutes, or stay for the whole five hours. Activities are running throughout the day, so you can arrive and stay for as long as you wish.

We don't have any childcare facilities, so you'll need to stay with and supervise your children at all times during the event.

Quiet break out spaces will be available on level one.

For the Giant Christmas Chocolate Button Workshop we cannot guarantee an allergen free experience. The chocolate used may contain traces of nuts. There will be vegan chocolate options available.

GETTING HERE AND PARKING

The closest station to The National Archives is Kew Gardens, approximately 10 mins walk away. It is serviced by the London Overground and District lines.

While we do have onsite parking available, we encourage visitors to use public transport if they can.

For more detail on how to reach us, click here.

Programme subject to change. Full timetable to be announced in November.

Watch the video to learn more about The Enchanted Cinema: