World War Two Week – May Half Term 2025 Midlands
24 May - 01 June 2025
This May half term, the RAF Museum Midlands invites you to travel back to the 1940’s for World War Two Week. This event highlights the importance that World War Two had on our development of technology, engineering, and community. Seeing the return of our well-received Spy Hunter Trail, visitors can also expect activities such as the Raid the Shelter experience, Lego Racers, Talks, Make and Take sessions, and a selfie station. Join us this May half term to commemorate this important period in our history.
Spy-Hunter Trail
Calling all Spy Hunters. The top secret plans to an aircraft have been stolen and we need your help to find out who took them and which aircraft they are currently hiding in! Use our innovative booklet to find and solve clues around the museum, ending in the Cold War Exhibition hangar to finally unveil the identity of the spy and which aircraft they are in! If you’re correct, you will receive a decorative pin badge. You can book in advance or buy on the day.
Location: Get your booklet from the Visitor Centre when you check in.
Date: 24th May – 1st June 2025
Timings: At your own leisure
Ticket Price: £3 per booklet
Recommended age: 10+
Accessibility: The trail takes you around the Visitor Centre, Test Flight and War in the Air Hangars, and the National Cold War Exhibition Hangar. These are all accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters, with ramps and lifts in place where needed. This activity is undertaken at your own leisure so feel free to take regular breaks and return when you’re ready to continue throughout the day. National Cold War Hangar can contain low lighting, and noises coming from exhibitions playing videos or voice overs within the hot spots. There is a quieter area within the National Cold War Exhibition hangar on the upper level.
Raid The Shelter
This workshop has limited spaces so book early to ensure you get to experience this wonderful activity. Firstly, see our real-life Anderson Shelter and learn how people of Britain had these packs arrive at their homes for them to make in their own back gardens. Spend time making your own paper-craft version to take home with you, then dress up in time-appropriate clothing and experience a real-life shelter raid in our raid shelter simulation. This experience contains loud noises and sudden noise effects.
Location: World War Two Hut near the VC-10
Date: 24th May to 1st June
Timings: 10:30, 12:30, and 14:30
Ticket Price: £5 per child, accompanying adults go free
Recommended Age: 10+
Accessibility: This activity will be in an enclosed space both for the creation of the Anderson Shelter and during the Raid Simulation. The activity is timed and needs to be completed within a set time period, alongside other visitors and following instructions given by a member of staff who is on hand for support. The Raid Simulation contains low lighting, and loud and sudden noises.
Time and Technology
We are welcoming back our friends from TDARS to host a talk in our Lecture Theatre about how technology today has stemmed from advances made during World War Two! Delve into the history and see how the amazing things we are capable of today come from World War Two.
Location: Lecture Theatre
Date: 24th and 25th May 2025
Timings: 11:00 and 13:00
Ticket Price: Free
Recommended Age: 10+
Accessibility: The Lecture Theatre is inside the National Cold War Exhibition Hangar, which has a lift for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The Lecture Theatre has areas for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The talk will last between 30 and 40 minutes and you will be free to leave if needed, but may not be admitted back in. There is a quieter space on the upper level of the hangar.
Lego Racers
Back by popular demand, come and create a World War Two vehicle and race it. Create one of six designs and use the magic of balloons to make it speed along the track.
Location: Lower Level of National Cold War Exhibition hangar
Date: 24th May to 1st June 2025
Timings: 10:30-12:30 and 13:30-15:30
Ticket Price: Free
Recommended Age: 5+
Accessibility: This activity is located on the lower level of the National Cold War Exhibition Hangar and there are lifts available for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Lego is generally popular with children so it can occasionally get loud. Lego is sterilised regularly using spray sanitiser. Balloons are inflated with a hand-pump, and can sometimes pop during the racing or afterward when visitors get to take the balloons away with them. There can be low lighting within the hangar. There is a quieter space on the upper level of the hangar.
Make and Take: Campaign Poster
Join us in making your own poster in the style of World War Two’s propaganda posters. This can be anything you like, but we also have examples you can copy. Let your creativity rule!
Location: Between the Test Flight and War In The Air Hangars
Date: 24th May to 1st June 2025
Timings: 10:30-12:30 and 13:30-15:30
Ticket Price: Free
Recommended Age: 5+
Accessibility: This area is accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters using ramps provided. This is an activity that you can begin and come back to if you like – members of staff can keep your creation safe until your return later that day. Visitors will be able to colour in existing posters, or create their own, using colouring pencils provided. The area is well lit and will attract mainly children so the noise could increase.
Dress Up Drill Sergeant Selfie Station
Dress up in wartime clothing and uniforms and take a selfie of the whole family. Make memories you can take with you with this dress up selfie station.
Location: Lower Level of National Cold War Exhibition hangar
Date: 24th May to 1st June 2025
Timings: None
Ticket Price: Free
Recommended Age: All
Accessibility: The props are regularly inspected and sterilised with spray sanitiser. This activity will be lit specially for photos and include a backdrop to pose against. During busy periods, this can be loud. This is located on the lower level of the National Cold War Exhibition hangar and can be accessed via lifts or the stairs.
