Are you a working architect mum who loves your job but also wants to spend quality time with your kids? Do you want to share your passion for architecture with your little ones and inspire them to be creative and curious? Many architect mums face the challenge of balancing their professional career with their family life, and finding ways to connect with their children through their common interest in the built environment.
In this blog post, I will share some fun activities that you can do with your kids to enjoy architecture together in Northern Ireland. Whether you are at home or outside, whether you have a lot of materials or just a few, there is something for everyone in this list of architecture activities.
1. Reading Architecture
One of the simplest and most enjoyable ways to learn about architecture with your kids is to read books together. Books can introduce you to different styles, cultures, histories and stories of architecture, and spark imagination and creativity. You can choose books that are specifically about architecture, such as Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty or The Story of Buildings by Patrick Dillon, or books that feature architecture as part of the plot, such as the well known "The Three Little Pigs". Or you can choose books specifically about being an architect, such as How to Design a Building by Jenny Russell.
To make reading more interactive and engaging, you can also try some of these ideas:
Ask your kids questions about the buildings in the books, such as what they are made of, what they are used for, how they look and feel, etc.
Draw or model your favourite buildings from the books, or invent your own based on the stories.
Compare and contrast different buildings from different books, or from real life.
2. Making Dens
One of our most enjoyable, fun and easy activities is to make a den together. Dens are simple structures that you can build using everyday materials, such as blankets, pillows, cardboard boxes, chairs, etc. Dens can be anything you want them to be: a castle, a cave, a spaceship, a tent, etc. They can also be a cozy and private space for you and your kids to play, read, relax or have a snack.
To make dens more interesting and challenging, you can also try some of these ideas:
Use different materials and shapes to create different types of dens, such as domes, pyramids, cubes with blankets, pillows, chairs and cardboard boxes.
Add decorations and accessories to your dens, such as fairy lights, flags, signs, or toys.
Make dens for different purposes and occasions, such as a birthday party den, a camping den, a reading den.
Invite other family members or friends to join your dens or make their own. (It could become a family competition for the competitive ones out there)
3. Exploring Green Roofs and Walls
A green roof is a roof that is covered with vegetation and soil. Green roofs have many benefits for the environment and people, such as reducing heat island effect, improving air quality, providing habitat for wildlife, saving energy and water.
To explore green roofs more deeply and creatively with your kids, you can try some of these ideas:
Research different types of green roofs around the world, such as The Eden Project in England or The High Line in New York.
Visit some green roofs in Northern Ireland, if possible. For example, you can visit the Dome at Victoria Square and look out over the green roof tops; or The Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre and stand on the roof of the centre. Why not tell a story about how the building is playing hide and seek under the rolling landscape. Add some excitement, make it interesting and fun for the little ones. Or visit the Skainos Centre on the Newtownard's Road, Belfast - after gazing up at the green wall in awe, you can take the kids to the Dr. Pitt Memorial Park (named after a doctor for his outstanding service to the local people) and take in the fantastic views of Samson & Goliath.
Make your own green roof model using toilet rolls, soil and seeds.
Design your own green roof for your home or school, using drawings or software. Paint 3D is an easy and free resource we use alot in our house, why not try it.
4. Visiting Architectural Landmarks
A great way to enjoy architecture with your kids is to visit some of the architectural landmarks right here one our doorstep in Northern Ireland. There are many buildings and structures that showcase the rich history, culture and diversity of Northern Ireland's architecture, from ancient castles and churches to modern museums and bridges. Visiting these landmarks can help you and your kids learn more about the stories behind them, the people who built them, and the challenges they faced.
To make visiting architectural landmarks more fun and educational with your kids, you can also try some of these ideas:
Choose landmarks that interest you and your kids, based on their style, function, location or theme.
Remember to plan ahead and check the opening hours, entrance fees, parking options and accessibility of the landmarks.
Prepare some questions or activities for your kids before visiting the landmarks, such as finding out facts about them, drawing sketches of them, or taking photos of them.
Explore the landmarks from different perspectives and angles, such as from inside and outside, from above and below, from near and far.
Compare and contrast different landmarks from different periods or regions of Northern Ireland.
Here are a couple of architectural landmarks that you can visit with your kids in Belfast:
Titanic Belfast, a visitor attraction that tells the story of the Titanic. You can see interactive galleries, original artifacts, a shipyard ride and a replica of the ships famous stair case. You could spend about 3 hours there and the admission is £19 for adults and £8.50 for kids.
Clifton House, a 18th century building that was a Poor House until the 1880s. You can take a guided tour of the house and see its historic interioirs, furniture and paintings. Why not visit the Clifton Street Cemetary while you're there and see if you can spot any of Belfast's prominent citizens who are buried there. The admission to the House is £6.50 for adults and £4 for children.
Conclusion
These are just some of the many activities that you can do with your kids to enjoy architecture together in Northern Ireland. Architecture is not only a profession but a way of seeing and appreciating the world around us. By sharing your passion for architecture with your kids,
you can also foster their creativity, curiosity and critical thinking skills as well as strengthen your bond with them.
I hope you found this blog post useful. If you have any other ideas or suggestions for architectural activities with kids in Northern Ireland please feel free to share them in the comments below. Happy building!
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