A BUMPER summer of family fun with a host of arts and crafts activities has been planned for visitors to Irvine’s Maritime Museum over the holidays and plans for a Making Waves Festival Weekend in July.

With free entry for up to three children with each adult admission, and Covid measures in place ensuring everyone feels safe whilst enjoying their visit, it’s a great time to have fun with ‘make and take home’ arts and crafts activities at the Museum on Irvine Harbourside.

The ‘make and take home’ arts and crafts activities, which are included in Museum entry, run on most Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays between June 29 and August 14.

Activities change each week and visitors are asked to book in advance at www.scottishmaritimemuseum.org

The ‘make and take home’ arts and crafts activities take inspiration from the Museum’s current exhibition, Into the Maelstrom: The Scottish Kayak Expedition to North West Norway 1980. This daring adventure was not only Scotland’s first major sea kayaking expedition, but the team of four Glasgow friends also made the first recorded sea kayak crossing of one of the world’s largest whirlpools, the Maelstrom.

To celebrate the exhibition, families can enjoy making a model kayak for imaginary adventures, testing it in a mini whirlpool, making their own tiny ‘maelstrom’ or a messy spiral painting to create a whirlpool inspired design!

To mark this year’s Doors Open Day, visitors will also be able to design their own mini door on Thursday, August 12 and Saturday, August 14.

Learning and Access Manager Claire Munro said: “With many people staying at home this summer, we’re delighted to offer an exciting programme of fun activities.

“As well as our ‘make and take’ arts and crafts activities, we will be celebrating our wonderful seaside traditions with a Making Waves Festival Weekend on Saturday, July 24 and Sunday, July 25. Families can also enjoy two special Arts Award events, on Wednesday, July 21 and Wednesday, August 4. We’ll be announcing more details on our Making Waves Festival Weekend and Arts Award events soon so watch this space!”