PK Porthcurno Shortlisted for National Family Friendly Award
Charity Kids in Museums has run a prestigious annual award for 16 years, recognising the most family-friendly heritage sites in the UK.
From late March to early June, families and museums across the UK could vote for their favourite heritage attraction on the Kids in Museums website. A panel of museum experts then whittled down hundreds of nominations to a shortlist of 16 heritage attractions.
PK Porthcurno is vying against 2 other museums in the Best Family-Friendly Engagement Team Award.
This new category aims to recognise the dedication and innovation of museum staff and volunteers that go the extra mile to create an excellent family experience.
‘We are so thrilled we have been shortlisted for this award, our small team works so hard to deliver excellent family events and activities for all our visitors and our local community.’ Kay Dalton, Learning and Participation Manager, PK.
PK Porthcurno is a museum experience that explores the amazing story of our connected world, with an award-winning environmental programme called Planet PK. There are family trails free to pick up, interactive displays, playful interventions in and around the museum and an interactive giant squid in our gardens for all the family to explore!
‘I think it’s the best museum! I really like the morse code with the headphones’ (visitor feedback, age 8 years).
The PK team deliver out of school and holiday activity sessions including our ‘Planet PK Champions’ environmental club and our summer of fun Pop- up series for families. Pop-up events this summer designed specifically for families will include Mini PK tours and Animal Printing in our museum, Playful Messages in our gardens as well as an Animal Long Jump activity on Porthcurno Beach!
The team also deliver playful outreach sessions with local toddlers, take activities out to local events and festivals, as well as hosts Fun Palaces and annual Takeover Days.
‘My 2-year-old loved playing with the bubbles. I won’t be able to drag her away! Thank you!’ (Parent feedback at Golowan Festival in Penzance)
‘The shortlisting panel were impressed by the sense of joy and fun that seems to run through your team. It’s clear you all have great enthusiasm for working with families. We also liked how embedded play and sustainability were in your approach.’ Alison Bowyer, Executive Director, Kids in Museums.
Over the summer holidays, the team at PK Porthcurno will present their work to an expert panel. The panel will decide the winners to be announced at an awards ceremony in October.
Meanwhile, the museums shortlisted in the other award categories will be visited by undercover family judges. Their experiences will decide a winner for each award category and an overall winner of the Family Friendly Museum Award 2022.
Follow the Family Friendly Museum Award on social media by following @kidsinmuseums and #FamilyFriendlyMuseum.
The Family Friendly Museum Award has been made possible by funding from Arts Council England.