If you’re part of a pet-loving family and looking for some summer entertainment, why not go on a pawsome pet adventure? London’s Museum of the Home will be encouraging you to walk and discover the joy and companionship of pets in their new exhibition.
Pet Life is a new multi-sensory and immersive experience, highlighting the joys and challenges of keeping pets. Families can choose one of four animal companions to take them on their adventure. There’s Leon the rabbit, Bob the bird and Wednesday the cat, but Roughie the dog is bound to be a favourite with kids!
What’s on at Pet Life?
It’s the museum’s first family-oriented exhibition and it features animations, projections and hands-on activities. And stories are brought to life by author and storyteller Bernadette Russell. Children can learn valuable skills and life lessons as they care for their pets by grooming them and picking up their litter. So, it’s great if you’re considering getting a new pet for your family.
Pet Life will run alongside a programme of events and family days hosted by the Museum. These events include creative workshops, a dog show and petting zoo. And they aim to help us learn how to live together better.
There’ll also be an in-person debate between key thinkers and policy advocates on pets and wellbeing as part of the Home Truths programme. Whilst Pet Life: After Lockdown will feature an online Q&A session with help from the Blue Cross, discussing the welfare of pets who’ve been acquired during lockdown. Plus, there’ll be an in-person Pet Bereavement Café.
Animal companions
Of course, if you’ve got dog-obsessed kids, you may be wondering about the exhibition’s cute canine companion. Roughie is a mustard-yellow Skye Terrier with black ears and so much hair you can’t see his little legs! He loves rolling onto his back and having his tummy tickled. Roughie’s described as being cheerful, funny and brave as a lion. His feet patter very fast on the floor and his feathery tail whisks about in a circle. His worst habits are straying off on walks, coming back all stinky, and then brushing himself on the walls and carpets. Basically, he’s a typical dog!
From this Saturday (24th July 2021) families will be able to attend in small groups, choosing an animal companion to take with them on their adventure. During the school holidays, the museum is open from 10.30am to 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday, with timed slots every 30 minutes. It takes about 30 minutes to enjoy the experience and your ticket will also give you admission to the rest of the museum’s galleries and gardens. If you get peckish, you can grab a bite to eat at Molly’s cafe or take a picnic to eat in the garden.
A ticket will cost you £7 for adults and £5.25 for children. Or you can buy a group ticket for four people (with at least one adult and one child) for £20. And you’ll need to book in advance.
Looking for places you can go with your own pet? Keep an eye on our walkies page for ideas!