The National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth has partnered the Eden Project to develop a brand new programme of activities for grandparents and their grandchildren at the museum.

Minnows Explorers is a new weekly grandparent drop-in session at National Maritime Museum Cornwall.

Held every Thursday throughout term time, it is designed to offer space and activities throughout the museum for grandparents and their grandchildren to enjoy together.

Led by a qualified early year’s co-ordinator the sessions encourage fun, play and exploration. There will be a chance to make and create as well as take part in scavenger hunts around the Museum using an Explorer Pack filled with explorer tools such as a compass, binoculars and torch.

Sophie Butcher, National Maritime Museum Cornwall’s Learning Office, said: “Grandparents play an increasingly important role in providing childcare for their grandchildren. For many it may have been a long time since they’ve looked after a toddler, and it can be isolating as well as physically tiring.

“Minnows Explorers has been created to help grandparents in their role as care provider – a space to meet other grandparents, the opportunity to do fun activities with their grandchildren and the chance to explore the Museum in a different way each week.”

The new activities have been developed in association with the Eden Project, who have been running a similar programme, Deep Roots New Shoots, over the last two years on most Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout term time. The unique programme is supported by the innovation charity Nesta and the Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) through the Second Half Fund.

Emma Tolley, the Deep Roots New Shoots project manager for the Eden Project added: “We know that grandparents share many of the considerations parents do when planning a day out or activities for their young grandchildren. We’re delighted that National Maritime Museum Cornwall has partnered with the Eden Project to create more opportunities for grandparents to share quality time with their grandchildren.”

Minnows Explorers is held every Thursday at National Maritime Museum Cornwall throughout term time, with the session starting at 10.30am.

Minnows Explorers is free to attend as part of the museum’s annual admission fee.