Bernice Harrison on alternatives to movies and the mall
The Chester Beatty Library, in the grounds of Dublin Castle, has put together an activity backpack to help children and their parents engage with its collection.
The prototype it has come up with includes a range of themed activities for families to do together as they explore the amazing treasures from all over the world that are on display in the Chester Beatty galleries.
Each backpack contains hands-on activities for children aged five to 11, including an illustrated handbook and activity sheets, with colouring materials for under-fives.
To see how they work and how much kids like them and find them useful, the library is trialling the prototype backpacks today from 1pm to 4pm.
Remember to take a look at the current temporary exhibition at the gallery, called The Artist’s Proof; put together with Graphic Studio Dublin, it shows the stages of making a fine-art print.
If you can, pop into the best museum restaurant in the country, the Silk Road Cafe, which has a delicious Middle Eastern menu with great salads and hot meals, as well as a good children’s menu.
Chester Beatty Library, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2, 01-4070750, www.cbl.ie