Travel back in time this Summer to 1940s Britain at The Royal Air Force Museum Midlands! It’s the perfect place to visit during the May half-term with heaps of fun and fascinating workshops from dress-up activities, the new RAF Bomber Command Exhibition, Make Do and Mend workshops and so much more!

two boys wearing old fashioned pilot clothes

Handmade Craft Workshops During 1940s Week

ribbon wreath
Pick from a dazzling array of family-friendly crafts activities, workshops, & displays at the RAF Museum Midlands to celebrate the launch of the new Bomber Command Exhibition.

You’ll have fun and learn all about this incredible period of history which is known as a time of resilience and bravery. Each activity will represent different real-life jobs and skills that were essential during this time of British history. 

Learn the art of how to stitch and revive the lives of your favourite garments in the Make Do and Mend Workshop!

Reuse and recycle household items to create new and refreshed home decorations, perfect for Spring in the Crochet Home Decorations activity.

Is your home looking a little bit dull? Get crafting and create something as vibrant as the Summer ahead of us in the Mini Ribbon Wreathes activity. You’ll get to pick from a wide range of colourful ribbons to create your ribbon wreaths.

Create your own owl in the Hand Sewn Owls workshop! You’ll get to take this cuddly creature home once you’ve perfected your skills in upholstery.

Put your itchy fingers to good use and get creating in the Introduction to Crochet sessions. Learn the basics of crochet and make Granny Squares and Crochet Poppies. This activity is best suited to people aged 11+.

And finally, make a tote bag! Anyone who needs to go and get their rations in a hurry needs a sturdy bag to help transport their goods from the shop to their home. You’ll get to improve your sewing machine skills by reusing fabrics.

These adorable 1940s craft workshops offer a colourful range of artistic pastimes for you and your youngsters. Whatever you make will be a delightful souvenir!

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Marvellous Entertainment During 1940s Week

world war 2 movie poster
Sit back and enjoy a traditional British performance by the Shrewsbury Morris dancers throughout Saturday (27th May).

Now you’ve finished browsing war aircraft and making crochet poppies, it’s time to snuggle up and watch classic war films! Here is a list of war films that RAF Midlands will be showing:

  • Battle of Britain (U) – Saturday 27 May
  • The Dam Busters (U) – Sunday 28 May
  • The Great Escape (PG) – Monday 29 May
  • 633 Squadron (PG) – Tuesday 30 May
  • Reach for the Sky (U) – Wednesday 31 May
  • Memphis Belle (PG) – Thursday 1 June

Try on a pilot’s jacket and helmet to see if you could be a Second World War pilot! This exciting and entertaining dress-up opportunity will allow kids to feel immersed in history. And while they try on their new snazzy fits, you can browse vintage fair stalls and dance along to live music, watch reenactors or look at vintage vehicles.

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Other Historical Activities During 1940s Week

girl wearing goggles at the aviation ground at RAF Midlands
As well as learning how to ration food and make do with what they had, folks in World War 2 (who stayed home) would have to make use of their land for growing vegetables. RAF Museum Midland offers kids the chance to grow their own vegetables in the Dig For Victory Zone for just £3! Choose from a variety of seeds: pea, bean or carrot. 

If your kids don’t have green fingers and are more into aircraft then they may enjoy a good old building session in the Airfix. Their problem-solving minds will light up as they create their very own World War 2 vehicle. It costs just £5 per kit.

You can also learn the secrets of ration cooking with Ready Steady Ration, a fun interactive cooking experience (all free!).

All in all, there are plenty of epic activities to get stuck into during 1940s Week at the RAF Museum Midlands. What activity will you take on first?

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When is 1940s Week?

parents pointing to sky and talking to their children next to an aeroplane
This exciting RAF event will run between 27 May – 01 June 2023 – this is Whitsun week! Make sure to check which activities or workshops will run each day as they vary.

How much does it cost?

RAF world war 2 aircraft
Entry to  1940s Week at the RAF Museum Midlands is completely free (and so is entry to the museum generally)! Some activities and workshops during 1940s week come at a fee so make sure to check each activity price when you visit.

What else can I do at the RAF Museum Midlands?

boy in toy plane
If you’ve had your fill of 1940s week you can always browse other exhibitions and experiences onsite too. Here is a list of fun activities you should try out…

  • Spitfire 360 Virtual Reality Experience
  • Cosford Lunchtime Lecture
  • 4D Cinema Experience
  • New RAF Falcons ParadropVR
  • Aviation Photography Workshop
  • Community Family Fun Day
  • Fallen Eagle
  • RAF Museum Experience Tours
  • Pilot Training

World war 2 artwork

We hope you are all clued up about 1940s Week at the RAF Museum Midlands and that you have enjoyed this article!

If you are looking for other epic days out then you should check out our Hub page for all the latest trends and unique days out. Flick through our latest articles like The Quirky Quarter Liverpool or the Murder Express Part Deux article.

If it’s free things to do or affordable family activities you’re after then check out our Free Things To Do With Teenagers blog or  Free Things To Do in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. You’ll find an exciting range of free activities from Jack The Ripper Tours to Botanical Gardens, Graffiti walks and so much more.

Make sure to take a look at more RAF Museums around the country like RAF London and RAF Cosford.