Digital learning resources

We have pulled together a list of online learning resources from various museums and galleries across the UK which help to support learning for young people while keeping them engaged. These resources were developed during the COVID-19 pandemic but are still useful and relevant.

Museums use a variety of digital approaches. These include displaying their collections online via their websites, developing and posting content and learning resources on social media such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram as well as collaborating with partner organisations. 

Museums offer creative activities for children and young people to try at home including downloadable resource packs, quizzes, and games to stimulate their curiosity, learning and enjoyment. Topics cover broad areas of the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) and interdisciplinary learning as well as specific subjects like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), arts and creativity, climate change, and health and wellbeing.  

Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum 

Aimed at primary school age children and in line with the CfE, Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum have created a digital birthplace cottage tour and a series of resource packs that explore Old Dunfermline and the legacy of Andrew Carnegie. 

Culture Perth and Kinross 

Explore learning opportunities with Culture Perth and Kinross on their website. Including loan kits, school visits and their digital library.

Elgin Museums Galleries Scotland 

All activities are linked to the Curriculum for Excellence. Example – Carved symbol Soaps (Suitable for ages 5 plus with some adult help). 

Glasgow Museums 

Glasgow Museums have pulled together learning resources that support teachers in the classroom. Their online learning resources provide a variety of notes, worksheets, and information on a number of topics.  

The Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) collated various activities during lockdown in their blog, At Home. 

Glasgow Women’s Library 

Vote 100: The Moving Story is a free multimedia toolkit created by Glasgow Women’s Library exploring the history of suffrage. The toolkit is aimed at students aged 14-16 and has a range of activities to engage students with the topic. 

The Hunterian 

The Hunterian have various learning resources on their website. The museum also has interactive resources on the Antonine Wall, including Ebutiius’ Dilemma, an storytelling app about a Roman soldier living at the wall.   

V&A Dundee 

V&A Dundee’s learning resources page contains online activities that kids can do at home.  

National Mining Museum of Scotland 

The museum offers online resources to support pupils’ learning journeys at home. They’ve created three learning resource packs to support families and pupils learning at home, using materials you can find at home. Each resource contains fact sheets, hands-on activities, and wellbeing check-ins. Learning at Home with the Mining Museum! All activities can be linked to Curriculum for Excellence and STEM. Key themes are STEM, social studies, literacy, arts & crafts, and outdoor learning. 

The McManus, Dundee  

The McManus offers  a range of learning opportunities, including their schools programme which offers Primary and Secondary Schools creative learning opportunities for curriculum and course enhancement. Activities include both self-directed and facilitated visits, discussion sessions with curators and museum staff, resource packs, projects and artist led workshops, study support, and professional practice development for teaching staff.

National Galleries of Scotland 

National Galleries of Scotland offer online resources and activities for kids and families on Facebook, see their hashtag #HomeArt on Twitter and Instagram. The museum also host weekly Art Competition for Schools and families on their website posting five creative activities that have been designed for children of all ages to explore at their own pace. 

Museum of Scottish Lighthouses 

The museum offers online activities via their website to keep children active and engaged. 

Scottish Fisheries Museum 

The museum runs a digital learning and engagement programme which can be accessed via  their social media channels @scotfishmuseum on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. It includes lots of ideas for activities such as an online school art competition based on their #Sea Change exhibition. 

Rosslyn Chapel 

The learning page includes a variety of learning resources to use at home or in school. Based on the mysterious carvings and beautiful stained-glass windows at the famous Rosslyn Chapel. Primary school pupils can explore Knights and Dragons and the Natural World using the downloadable fact sheets and activity ideas. There’s also a topic for Religious and Moral Education and resources to support pupils studying National 5 Graphics Communications.  

Historic Environment Scotland 

Enjoy learning, play, and creativity inspired by Scotland’s heritage with #LearningWithHES online!. Whether you like to Draw and Colour, Make and Create, Play Games, Explore or Investigate, there’s something for everyone in HES’ downloadable activities.  

Science Centres 

Dundee Science Centre’s learning hub offers educational resources on topics including chemistry, space, and renewable energy.

Glasgow Science Centre brings science into people’s homes and anyone can join in with the hashtag #GSCAtHome.  

Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery 

Birmingham Schools online resource  offers a diverse learning programme, accessible to all ages and abilities. 

Birmingham museums for kids (BMAG for Kids) is an online resource for families and teachers. The interactive website is a great place for children to make exciting discoveries, and contains downloadable resources e.g. The School at Home: Kitchen Science Experiments – videos for fun ideas to try at home.  

Leeds Museum 

Managed by Leeds Museums, MyLearning.org is a free learning resource portal from arts, cultural and heritage organisations. 

Leeds Museum’s engage from home offers a range of creative ideas, craft activities, videos, and online learning resources to bring their museums and galleries into your home.

World Awareness Children’s Museum offer free online programming for families to access anywhere, anytime. Their online resources include workshops, classes, interviews, crafts, and more. 

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 

Marley’s (The Cat) School of Garden Magic’s is an interdisciplinary programme that leads children through a range of activities designed to educate and foster wonder about the natural world. Topics range from science and, mathematics to arts and health & wellbeing. All courses are aligned with the Curriculum for Excellence.

Poppy Scotland 

Poppy Scotland learning have loads of inspiring, highly informative, and fun activities and learning resources. These resources are useful to reference while developing your ideas and planning your learning programme.  All activities are aligned with the Curriculum for Excellence. 

Education Scotland 

Scotland’s curriculum – Curriculum for Excellence  (CfE) helps children and young people to gain the knowledge, skills and attributes needed for life in the 21st century. The refreshed narrative on Scotland’s curriculum, sets CfE within the current context. Education Scotland’s website also has additional resources to support learning at home. The Improvement Hub has helpful resources to support museum learning practitioners in developing online programmes and activities linked with the class learning where appropriate including hints, tips, and ideas. 

Kids in Museums 

Kids in Museums have put together fun digital activities to keep children entertained at home. Other resources include tips for welcoming families to your venues on reopening. 

BBC Bitesize Daily Lessons 

The BBC provides home schooling options including a daily lessons programme as part of BBC Bitesize offering Mathematics and English lessons for every year group, as well as regular classes in history, science, and geography. Explore BBC Bitesize.

Science Museums Group’s Learning at home 

The Science Museum Group’s corporate partners offer a range of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) learning resources to spark curiosity from home, whether through exploring their collection online, browsing their museum websites, through videos and 3D models, or simply having fun playing with their online games and apps. 

The resources cover a wide range of ages and interests and are perfect for supporting parents and carers getting to grips with home-schooling. 

If you have any questions about providing digital learning resources please contact our Learning and Engagement Manager, Loretta Mordi at lorettam@museumsgalleriescotland.org.uk