People’s History Museum (PHM) is inviting visitors to get hands on during their visit to the national museum of democracy by taking part in a Make Your Mark workshop. Get ready to meet The Manchester Argonaut, roll up your sleeves and have some fun with clay on Wednesday 5 April and Wednesday 12 April.

New for 2023, these are the first of a series of Family Friendly workshops that will take place in every school holiday to explore PHM’s exhibitions and collections through craft led activities. During the Easter holidays it’s The Manchester Argonaut that will come under the Make Your Mark spotlight as a source of colourful and creative inspiration. Sculptured from the imagination of internationally acclaimed artist Jason Wilsher-Mills, who is renowned for his extraordinary use of colour, texture and patterns, The Manchester Argonaut stands in the entrance of the museum exploding with creative ingenuity and character.

The Manchester Argonaut won’t just inspire you with how it looks, you’ll also be able to find out more about the story behind the sculpture. This is a piece of art with a message, one about activism and the rights of disabled people that is carried in every detail from the tattoos to the steel toe boots! There are also references to Manchester’s history, music and football to discover. All of this is your starting point for creating your own clay figure, perhaps representing your story or message, that you’ll be able to decorate and take home.

Make Your Mark is a free activity and all materials are provided. The workshop, which will be led by artist Pauline Wood, is designed to be suitable for 5-16 year olds and takes place between 1.00pm and 3.00pm on Wednesday 5 April and Wednesday 12 April. You can book your place.

Across the Easter holidays you can also enjoy a playful game of Banner Bingo; pick up your players’ card at the Info Desk and head to the 2023 Banner Exhibition where you’ll be on the look-out for different symbols that appear on the banners, everything from snakes and skulls to moons and stars. As you see the symbols cross them off your card, complete a line for ‘bingo’ or the full card and declare ‘house’! Interactive exhibits and games, dress-up boxes, playing in the historic Co-op shop or visiting suffragette Hannah Mitchell’s kitchen are some of the additional things that families can do during their visit.

All the doing and seeing is hungry work. Take a break with a visit to Open Kitchen Cafe & Bar at PHM, where sustainability, scrumptious dishes and locally sourced ingredients headline the menu. And the added bonus for families is that the lunchtime menu for kids starts from £2.50 for sandwiches.

People’s History Museum’s opening hours are 10.00am to 5.00pm, every day except Tuesday. Entry is free, with most visitors donating £10. The Manchester Argonaut is on display until 28 January 2024. To find out about visiting PHM, its full exhibitions and events programme visit phm.org.uk, and you can keep up to date with the latest news by signing up to receive PHM’s e-newsletter, or following the museum on social media on Twitter @PHMMcr, Facebook @PHMMcr, and Instagram @phmmcr.