Families with young children in Colchester, Essex, can attend a new dinosaur-themed storytelling session at the Natural History Museum on 9 April 2026. The event, called Roars and Rhymes, is a 45-minute activity designed for children aged five and under and their parents or carers. It aims to provide a low-cost outing for local residents during the school holiday period.
The session will feature stories about prehistoric creatures alongside interactive songs and simple games to help toddlers learn about nature. According to Colchester Museums, the activity will run from 3:30 PM to 4:15 PM. Organisers suggest that the dinosaur theme is a fun way to engage the “mini explorer” demographic in a relaxed setting.
While the event is free for everyone to attend, the museum recommends that families book their tickets online in advance to guarantee a space. The session takes place during the final week of the Essex school Easter holidays, which run until 10 April 2026. This initiative is part of a wider effort by Colchester City Council to offer more community-focused programming in the city centre.
The museum reopened its doors to the public in 2025 after being closed for about a year due to safety concerns regarding the building’s stonework. This event is one of many activities planned as the museum continues to welcome back visitors following those repairs. The site, which is housed in the former All Saints Church, is a staple of the local cultural quarter and has been open to the public since 1958.
The museum is currently undergoing a five million pound redevelopment project to update the building and its displays for the future. This long-term project is being supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and is expected to be finished by 2030. These new family sessions are intended to keep the museum active and relevant to local residents while these phased improvements take place.
