
Wee Explorers
About Wee Explorers
Explore our collections as we bring picture book 'Max and Zap at the Museum' to life through songs, imaginative play, and hands-on activities in this perfect introduction to the museum for nursery and primary one.
What will my pupils do in the workshop?
Set in the Kingdom of the Scots gallery, this session transforms your class visit into a story-filled quest, where children become heroes, explorers, and problem-solvers.
Children will:
- Meet and greet Max and Zap, their story companions, and take a seat on our Magic Carpet
- Act out and dress up like a knight or a queen, curtsy, and bow for Mary, Queen of Scots
- Solve riddles and follow clues to find the Queen’s missing jewels
- Roar and stomp like a dinosaur, sing action songs and smell dinosaur breath
- Handle ancient objects—ammonite, amethyst, and a 4.5-billion-year-old meteorite
- Participate in parachute games
- Celebrate the successful return of the Queen’s jewels
- Discover more museum wonders with your group after the session
All activities are hands-on and movement-based; adults are encouraged to join in!
Dress Code
Easy-to-remove shoes for sitting on the carpet.
Gift
We will give you a copy of the book 'Max and Zap at the Museum' to take away.
Workshop breakdown
Please note: Timings are subject to change and are only indicative of the session.
Introduction (5 minutes): The Learning Communicator will meet the class and introduce the session in the Grand Gallery, before moving to the Kingdom of the Scots Gallery to begin the workshop.
Workshop (30 minutes): The class will be asked to sit on our Schools Magic Carpet with their shoes off as the Learning Communicator delivers an interactive storytelling session that includes; object handling, movement breaks and song.
Wrap Up: (10 minutes): The Learning Communicator will wrap up the session and walk the class through some of the exhibits that are mentioned in the storytelling session. They will say goodbye to the class and the session will end in the Explore gallery. The class are then free to explore more of the museum if they so wish.
- Curriculum links
LIT 0-02a / ENG 0-03a
LIT 0-02a
LIT 0-04a
LIT 0-10a
SOC 0-01a
SOC 0-07a
EXA 0-16a
HWB 0-19a
- Sustainable development goals
4, 11
- Meta skills framework
Self-management: Focusing, Adapting
Social intelligence: Communicating, Collaborating
Innovation: Curiosity, Sense-making
Available dates
September 2026
Mon 28 Sep 2026 - 11:00 (fully booked)
October 2026
Mon 5 Oct 2026 - 11:00
November 2026
Mon 2 Nov 2026 - 11:00
Mon 9 Nov 2026 - 11:00
Mon 16 Nov 2026 - 11:00
Mon 23 Nov 2026 - 11:00
Mon 30 Nov 2026 - 11:00
January 2027
Mon 18 Jan 2027 - 11:00
Tue 19 Jan 2027 - 11:00
Wed 20 Jan 2027 - 11:00
Thu 21 Jan 2027 - 11:00
Mon 25 Jan 2027 - 11:00
February 2027
Mon 1 Feb 2027 - 11:00
Mon 8 Feb 2027 - 11:00
Mon 22 Feb 2027 - 11:00
March 2027
Mon 1 Mar 2027 - 11:00
Mon 8 Mar 2027 - 11:00
Mon 15 Mar 2027 - 11:00
Mon 22 Mar 2027 - 11;00
May 2027
Mon 10 May 2027 - 11:00
Tue 11 May 2027 - 11:00
Wed 12 May 2027 - 11:00
Thu 13 May 2027 - 11:00
Mon 17 May 2027 - 11:00
June 2027
Mon 7 Jun 2027 - 11:00
Tue 8 Jun 2027 - 11:00
Wed 9 Jun 2027 - 11:00
Mon 21 Jun 2027 - 11:00
Tue 22 Jun 2027 - 11:00
Request a visit
Booking Terms and Conditions
Payment process
- Scottish State schools should raise a Purchase Order through their Local Authority procurement system for the cost of charged sessions. Purchase Order numbers should be notified to schools@nms.ac.uk at least 7 days in advance of the visit.
- Independent Schools will be invoiced after the visit. Payment terms are 15 days from date of invoice.
Cancellation Policy
- National Museums Scotland reserve the right to charge a fee for short notice cancellations or no-shows.
- Bookings cancelled less than 3 weeks prior to the visit will incur an administration fee of 50% of the value of chargeable events.
- Bookings cancelled less than 2 weeks prior to the visit will incur an administration fee of 100% of the value of chargeable events.
- A charge of 100% of the value of booked sessions will apply to no-show or last-minute cancellations.
- In certain circumstances National Museums Scotland may waive the administration fee.
- Cancellations should be notified in writing to schools@nms.ac.uk.
Free access for SIMD 1&2 schools
National Museums Scotland (NMS) Free Workshop Policy: Terms and Conditions
Eligibility and Access Policy for Free Workshops
As part of our commitment to inclusive education and community engagement, National Museums Scotland (NMS) is pleased to offer 20% of our educational workshops free of charge to schools located in areas designated as SIMD 1 and 2, based on the Scottish Government's Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD). The following terms and conditions apply:
Eligibility Criteria
- SIMD Designation: Schools must be located in areas classified as SIMD 1 or SIMD 2 (where at least 60% of pupils are also classified as SIMD 1 or 2) to qualify for free workshops.
- Verification: Eligibility will be verified using the latest SIMD data provided by the Scottish Government. Schools may be required to provide documentation or additional information to confirm their eligibility.
Workshop Availability
- Limited Slots: Free workshops are subject to availability, with 20% of our total workshop offerings reserved for eligible schools.
- Exclusions: Please note that this offer only applies to workshops delivered by National Museums Scotland staff and excludes special events, study days and special exhibition visits.
- Advance Booking: Schools are encouraged to book early to secure a place, as free workshop slots are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Waiting List: In the event that all free workshop slots are filled, eligible schools can be placed on a waiting list and will be notified if a slot becomes available.
Terms of Participation
- No Transport Cost Support: NMS does not provide financial support for transport costs. Schools are responsible for arranging and funding their own transportation to and from the museum.
- Cancellations: Schools must notify NMS at least two weeks in advance if they need to cancel a booking. Repeated cancellations without adequate notice may affect future eligibility for free workshops.
- Feedback: Participating schools may be asked to provide feedback on the workshops to help us improve our educational offerings. Participation in feedback activities is appreciated but not mandatory.
- Class cap: Workshop offer is limited to 4 classes from a school for each school session.
Application Process
- Application Form: Interested schools must complete the appropriate section in the booking request form.
- Supporting Documents: Schools may need to submit supporting documents to verify their eligibility based on SIMD status.
- Confirmation: Successful applicants will receive a confirmation email with details of their workshop booking.
We are dedicated to making our educational resources accessible to all and look forward to welcoming eligible schools to National Museums Scotland.
By participating in our workshops, schools agree to adhere to the above terms and conditions. NMS reserves the right to modify these terms and conditions at any time.
July 2024
Resources
- Schools resource

Make an animal mask
Cut out and decorate your own mask, based on animals in our Natural World galleries.Find out more - Schools resource

Make a Recyclesaurus
Create a terrific T Rex, a stunning Stegosaursus or a dapper Diplodocus? Follow the steps to make your own prehistoric friend!Find out more - Schools resource

Colour in the collections
Choose from a selection of colouring sheets for you to download and colour in wherever you are!Find out more
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Keep up to date with our latest resources, digital sessions and more by subscribing today.
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