About

As part of the Moomin 80 programme in Gloucester, we invite you and your family into a magical world inspired by Moomins this Spring and Summer. Settle down for an hour to explore the magic world of the Moomins with your family and immerse yourself in the adventures of Moominmamma, Sniff, Stinky, Little My, Hodgkins, Snuffkin and Snorkmaiden!

In this incredible interactive exhibition, brought to Museum of Gloucester by the award-winning Bakehouse Factory, you can go on an amazing adventure centred on Tove Jansson's iconic stories. There is so much to do:

1. Discover seven friends from Moominvalley, each with a special Moomin AR feature to explore via augmented reality. Can you find them all? All you need is your smart phone and your imagination. If you don't have a smart phone, don't worry - our team can lend you a device.
2. Enjoy learning about Moomin creator, Tove Jansson, and her playful Moominhouse in a mini-documentary. The Moominhouse is a place where 'the door is always open' and this is the theme of this year's special Moomin 80 celebration, which Gloucester is part of.
3. By scanning your hand in our special machines, you will be assigned a special Moomin buddy for your visit. Who will it be today? Scan to find your buddy and don't forget to collect your Moomin Buddy sticker.
4. Play a special version of hopscotch - we call it Hopescotch - to get ready to explore the ABC of feelings.
5. Pause for some time in the woods - read a Moomin story in the tipi, hop and play among log stumps, or just take a moment to be quiet and relax in a peaceful setting.
6. Ever wondered how you measure up to a Moomin? Find out and leave your height mark on the 'How Tall Wall'.
7. Explore three ABC islands, and find your confidence in talking about some really big feelings, with help from your Moomin buddy. Big feelings are a normal part of life but they're not always easy to express - in Moominvalley, Tove Jansson created a place where nobody needs to feel alone with their worries.
8. Dress up for an adventure!
9. Create your own magnetic Moomin-inspired scene on the play wall. You might like to share photos of your creation with your friends.
10. Take some time to be creative in two craft areas: write a letter to Fillyjonk to help her feel better, do some colouring or pick up a Moomin activity sheet.

Tickets and Pricing
Under 4s FREE* | Child (4-15) £5 | Adult (16+) £8.50 | Family (of 4) £20 - Adults go for Child prices!**

How does the exhibition work?
Your ticket gives you a full hour to explore the exhibition. This will be a popular exhibition, so please arrive ahead of your slot so you can maximise your time. We can let you in at any time during your slot if you're late but we can't extend your time into the next slot as there will be more people booked in. We're limiting numbers per slot so everyone can have space and time to enjoy all the activities.

What do I do in the exhibition?
We encourage you to be yourself, and enjoy everything on offer. You can react to whatever you're seeing however you wish - with boisterous enthusiasm or with quiet reflection and anywhere in between! If you want to spend an even amount of time on each area, that's fine, or if you just want to sit in the tipi for your hour, you can! How you enjoy the Moomins is up to you.

Can I take the Moomins home with me?
You can't take things out of the exhibition itself but we will have a pop-up Moomin shop in our Gift Shop, where you can find something lovely to take home!

About Moomin 80
The Moomins and the Great Flood was originally published in 1945 by the acclaimed Finnish artist, illustrator and writer Tove Jansson. Since their debut, the Moomin books have inspired generations worldwide with their messages of inclusiveness, kindness and belonging. Under the theme "The Door is Always Open" – referring to the door of the Moominhouse, which offers shelter, comfort and security to all who seek it – new and returning fans alike are invited to join in 80th anniversary celebrations taking place around the world. In the UK, the brand is partnering with Counterpoints Arts and Refugee Week to commission four public artworks inspired by The Moomins and the Great Flood. One of these artworks is being created here in Gloucester alongside a programme of Moomin 80-inspired events. The first of these events is Moomin ABC.

 

*Children aged 0-3 are free but they still require a ticket to be booked. You must book an adult ticket at the same time as U4s must be accompanied at all times by an appropriate adult.
**Family tickets are for 4 people and your group must include at least one child.