Arctic Adventure
Reception and Year 1
Discover some amazing Arctic animals as you touch a real orca tooth and reindeer fur, and learn how their bodies help them to survive in their cold habitat.
Learn about traditional Inuit life, from their homes to their clothing, and discover how they use natural resources to survive. Handle beautiful objects made by the Inuit, including snow shoes, snow goggles and a seal-skin parka, think about how they might be used, and identify the materials used to make them.
The Horniman is the perfect place to explore your topic further. Use our Arctic schools trail to guide your class to see the amazing objects made and used by the Inuit, and Arctic Animals on display in our wonderful World Gallery.
You can support your visit with our Arctic learning resource.
Learning Objectives:
- All pupils will be able to describe what the natural environment is like in the Arctic and explain some basic adaptations in the animals that live there
- All pupils will be able to name the Inuit
- Pupils will be able to identify some natural materials used by the Inuit to make objects, and explain why they were used
“The session was really well presented. The children were able to find out more about the different items, giving them a deeper understanding through touch, observation and discussion.”
Please note that our Natural History Gallery is now closed for redevelopment and will reopen in late 2026. The rest of our Galleries, displays, Aquarium and Gardens will be open as usual, with plenty across the site to support your topic (from our free Animal Walk, to our World Gallery). Our schools workshops are unaffected.
Our new, free Natural History Pop Up exhibition is open until May 2026.
Resources
Workshop information
How to book
Booking a taught session includes a welcome briefing on arrival, timed access to a lunch space, cloakroom facilities and access to toilets for the exclusive use of school groups.
Contact us to make a booking:
schools@horniman.ac.uk
020 8291 8686
When you contact us please have ready:
– the name of the taught session you would like to book or topic you are studying,
-1st/2nd/3rd choice of date and preferred session time,
– the number of pupils and adults attending.
Costs
Entrance to the Horniman Museum and Gardens is free of charge. Taught sessions and access to some exhibitions are charged for. We invoice before your visit.
The following charges apply:
Mainstream State schools: £100 including VAT, £83.33 excluding VAT
Private/independent schools: £140 including VAT, £116.67 excluding VAT
SEND schools and groups: £50 including VAT, £41.67 excluding VAT
We offer a bursary scheme for schools that meet a set criteria.
Planning your visit
See the School Trips page for other essential information including our risk assessment.
We are open from 10am-5.30pm, 7 days a week. Entrance to the Museum and Gardens is free of charge but must be booked in advance by emailing schools@horniman.ac.uk.
We offer reduced educational rates for our Aquarium, Butterfly House, and Temporary exhibition. See the School Trips page for further information.
Charges apply to all children aged 3 years and over, and all accompanying teachers and adults, unless they are specific 1:1 carers.