Event: Museum Sleepover: Dinos

Who is this event for?

This event is for children aged 6 – 12. We ask customers to adhere to the age guidance as the event and its activities are intended for this specific age group.  Children under or over the age guidance will not be allowed entry.

What happens on the night?

A typical Museum Sleepover event looks like this: 

The Museum reserves the right to make adjustments to the schedule and content if necessary to ensure a safe and fun event. 

VIP additional activities are not mentioned above (bedtime story session and behind the scenes visit).

What should I bring?

All children and parents must bring a sleeping bag, pillow, toothpaste and toothbrush.

We recommend wearing appropriate footwear and clothing to sleep in. Any hand luggage you bring with you will be stored in a nearby room. The Museum takes no responsibility for personal items. In the unlikely event of an evacuation, overnight clothes must be suitable to wear outdoors.

Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times in the Museum, apart from when you’re sleeping.

We provide thin sleeping mats, but you are welcome to bring your own. For capacity reasons we cannot allow any inflatable mats or mattresses. If you need to bring your own sleeping mat for medical reasons, please let us know upon booking.

As a museum, we are working hard to improve our sustainability. Therefore, please bring your own water bottle.  Bottled water will not be provided.  There will be water dispensers placed around the Museum for you to refill your bottles. 

Some safety lighting will be left on overnight. We recommend you bring eye masks to help you sleep.

Please do not bring items that are of financial or sentimental value. The Museum takes no responsibility for loss of or damage to any items belonging to visitors. 

We do not allow attendees to plug any electrical items into the Museum’s sockets during the event for health and safety reasons. Please get in touch if you require access to power or refrigeration for medical reasons.

Do we need to bring food?

We recommend that you eat a meal before arriving.

A lunchbox and a hot chocolate will be provided to all between 19:00 and 20:30 (visitors will be divided into teams for the activities and therefore, teams will receive their lunchboxes at different times). 

You are more than welcome to bring additional snacks for later in the evening. Please do not bring cooking equipment. 

Our snack boxes include:

A Sandwich*

Crisps 

Fruit 

Fruit Juice 

Hot Chocolate with marshmallows and cream

In the morning, breakfast will be provided and will include:

Selection of cereal 

Toast with jam and butter 

Fruit Salad 

Fruit Juice 

Fresh tea and coffee

*Dietary requirements and sandwich filling choices are collected during booking. Sandwich filling choices cannot be changed on the day of the event.  Sandwich filling choices are:

Ham / Cheese / Chicken Salad / Tuna, Mayo, Cucumber / Falafel Salad

The event is not a nut-free environment. If you or any member of your group have any allergies you are concerned about, please confirm this by emailing events@museumwales.ac.uk

If you or a member of your group can’t eat the snack box items or breakfast, please advise when booking and bring your own refreshments with you. Please note we cannot provide fridge access for food items.

How many adults are required for each booking/group?

The number of adults required for each group are:

• 2 children | 1 adult required 
• 2-4 children | 2 adults required 
• 5-12 children | 3 adults required 
• 13-20 children | 4 adults required
• 21-28 children | 5 adults required 
• 29-36 children | 6 adults required

Adults will sleep in the same area as the children. Accompanying adults must be at least 18 years old and will be asked to show ID at registration.

What time do I need to arrive?

Entry to the event is through the Museum’s main entrance on Gorsedd Garden Road. Doors will open at 17:30 and close at 18:15. We cannot allow entry after 18:15. 

Visit https://museum.wales/cardiff/visit/location/  for more information on how to get to us. Parking is available at the Museum car park with entry from Museum Avenue. The charge for the duration of the event will be £5 and can be paid for before you depart in the morning. Please note capacity is limited and will therefore be operated on a first come first served basis.

What if I’m running late?

If you think that you may not get here on time please email us. 

Email: events@museumwales.ac.uk  

Refunds/partial refunds will not be given if you are late.

Are any consent forms required for the children?

A consent form will need to be submitted for all children attending. This will be emailed to ticket holders after completing their booking. 

Children without a parental consent form will not be allowed to attend the event.

Is this event suitable for children with access requirements? 

All areas used for this event are accessible, however, due to the historic nature of the building, alternative routes may be needed to support special requirements. We would recommend you contact us before booking, to confirm that your requirements can be met. 

Quiet Space: We have a designated quiet space for families that require quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of the event. A member of staff will be able to direct you to this area at any point during the sleepover.

Please let us know while booking if you require British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation during this event. An interpreter will be available for the duration of the night if needed, including overnight. 

Where will I sleep?

Guests will sleep in the Museum’s Main Hall. Sleeping areas can be chosen as you book your tickets. If you require special assistance related to where you sleep, please inform us upon booking.

VIP guests will sleep in the following areas:

VIP Herbivore Hub: Natural History Gallery. 

VIP Camp Carnivore: Evolution of Wales Gallery 

Event and security staff are on hand throughout the night to ensure everyone's safety and comfort. CCTV is in operation throughout the Museum.

What hygiene facilities are available?

Toilets are available for washing, teeth cleaning and changing however there are no showers available.

Can adults bring alcohol?

The consumption of alcohol is strictly forbidden at this event. Anyone suspected of consuming alcohol during the event will be asked to leave the event immediately. Our staff have the right to search bags and test liquids at any point during the event. Smoking on site is also forbidden at this event (including electronic devices) and we cannot allow visitors to enter/exit the building throughout the evening.

What if one of my group members is ill during the event?

The are trained first-aiders on hand to assist. 

What if I need to leave early in the morning?

The Museum exits are closed after the event has begun and it is not possible to leave during the event, except in an emergency. We do not advise leaving early, but should you need to leave during the event please let us know in advance. If you need to leave the event at any point in the unlikely event of an emergency, please speak to a member of staff.

Who can I contact for more information?

If you have more questions about the event or wish to tell us about any special requirements in advance, please contact a member of the events team on: events@museumwales.ac.uk  

VIP camp: Herbivore Hub

VIP tickets include all Dino Nights activities plus:

• An air bed in an exclusive, quiet camping area in our Natural History Gallery, near the basking shark and forest animals. 
• Access to your camping area as soon as you arrive.  Settle in early and make yourselves at home – Herbivore Hub will be set up in advanced for you. 
• A bedtime story session under the stars in our big bang room.
• Come face to face with a baby dinosaur.  Enjoy a special visit from Ranger Chris and one of his roarsome reptiles. 
• Go behind the scenes with a paleontologist.  Visit the museum stores to see where more fossils and dinosaur bones are kept. *

Please bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. Air bed will be provided 

*Behind the scenes tours will take place at 10am and 10:30am on the Sunday morning, after the event has ended. Your time slot will be allocated and cannot be changed.