School’s out, and it’s holiday time. The question arises: what to do with the kids? Well, if this scenario is typical in your household, here is the solution!

“I’m bored.”

“You can’t be. What about all those toys, games and books you’ve got?”

“Fed up with them. Wanna have some fun.”

“Tell you what, let’s go to Wymondham Heritage Museum.”

“Sounds boring!”

“How do you know? Come on, give it a try. You might be surprised. I hear children get in free during the school holidays – and there’s free squash in the tearoom!”

“Oh alright then.”

[Later]

“Right, we’re here. Let’s do the children’s trail; find all the answers, and you can win a small prize. We’ll start in the dungeon, careful on the stone steps.”

“Wow! Did they really keep prisoners locked up like this?”

“Yes, and children were locked up with their mothers. Now, let’s go back upstairs and see what’s next. Look at this old door; it says it dates from 1810! What’s in here? Oh, that’s called a crank. Prisoners had to turn it to earn their supper. See if you can turn it. And earn your free squash. The Brushroom is next. Did you know Brushmaking was once the main industry in the town? Press that button and push the pedal, and you can work the machine that used to put the bristles in the brush head. Gosh, it’s noisy! Imagine working in a factory with that! Right what’s in this corridor?”

“Look, Mum, that’s all about Robert Kett. We’ve done him at school. He led a rebellion in 1549.”

“This must be the main gallery. Have a dig in the sandpit, see what artefacts you can find. And over there is the market stall. You can do a bit of shopping. Ha, look in the hardware shop window, I remember Nanny had a bed warmer like that.”

“Hey look at this Mum! There’s an exhibition all about Browick Road School where I go. Blimey, I didn’t know it was that old.”

“Ah, here’s the tearoom. You can have your free squash – and I expect you might like a slice of homemade cake. See what you can do on the craft table while I enjoy a cuppa and one of those scrumptious-looking scones with some jam.”

“Can I have some money to put down the wishing well?”

“Here you are. We’ll get a souvenir from the shop on the way out. Well, have you enjoyed your visit?”

“Oh yes, can we come again?”

“Not boring then?”

If you’re looking to amuse bored youngsters, bring them to Wymondham Heritage Museum. Don’t forget, they get free entry and free squash. More information at thewhm.org.uk.