Doodle Den: Playful Protests Online

Sarah Gaffney-Lang, Families Editor
doodle den at people's history museum, young girl using thick marker pen to drawer on a glass panel

Doodle Den: Playful Protests at People's History Museum at People’s History Museum (PHM), City Centre 31 January — 31 December 2021 Entrance is free — Visit now

People’s History Museum invite you to pick up a pen and explore your creativity in your very own Doodle Den.

Throughout the course of the coronavirus pandemic – with lockdowns and other restrictions, many of us have been getting creative at home. Interest in many art forms has boomed, encouraging new immersive hobbies galore. It’s fair to say that getting creative has provided solace for many during such trying times and programmes like Grayson’s Art Club and the Great British Sewing Bee have been excellent company.

The People’s History Museum has created a range of online resources (which are available on their website) to get you scribbling, sketching, and joining in the arty silliness.

There are three simple steps: create a den – anywhere in the house, using whatever you have to hand, think bedsheets, cushions, or behind pieces furniture. Arm yourself with materials to draw, paint or stick with – felt tips, crayons, paint – even flour (if they are reused or recycled then you get extra points!) and then choose one (or more) of the six themes to explore using various mark-making techniques. Topics include climate change, equal pay, votes for all, migrant rights, and LGBT+ Pride.

Art and drawing are a peaceful, but highly effective way to protest from the comfort of a cosy Doodle Den.

Once your creations are complete, do share them on social media (just use the following handles: Facebook, Twitter (@PHMMcr) or Instagram (@phmmcr) and they may even make it onto PHM’s website highlight reel).

This is an online activity, suitable for kids aged 5 and up.

Recurring dates

Doodle Den: Playful Protests at People's History Museum at People’s History Museum (PHM), City Centre 31 January — 31 December 2021 Entrance is free Visit now

Where to go near Doodle Den: Playful Protests Online

restaurant
Café or Coffee Shop
Dovedale Towers

A pleasant pub on the famous Penny Lane, ‘The Dovey’ has a classy interior, lots of outdoor seats and a good atmosphere.

library
Liverpool
Shop
Henry Bohn Books

Prepare to do some browsing and digging – this second hand bookshop is full of hidden treasures just waiting to be discovered

shop
Liverpool
Shop
A Slower Space

A Slower Space offers a curated selection of homeware, candles, jewellery and more, all in a relaxing atmosphere, on the iconic Penny Lane.

library
City Centre
Shop
News from Nowhere

News from Nowhere is a radical community bookshop selling texts on important current issues as well as leading social justice initiatives.

pub
Liverpool
Bar or Pub
The Merchant

The Merchant is a chilled pub, with a great selection of beers and gins and lots of outdoor seating. It’s also the home of Nightcrawler Pizza.

food and drink
City Centre
Café or Coffee Shop
Artefact

Artefact combines vintage finds with a laid-back coffee shop experience, plus a busy schedule of events from open mic nights to exhibitions

food and drink
City Centre
Café or Coffee Shop
Lovelocks

Lovelocks is a chilled café on the outskirts of Liverpool city centre, serving delicious sweet and savoury foods and championing inclusivity.

food and drink
City Centre
Café or Coffee Shop
Hardware Coffee + Kitchen

Hardware Coffee + Kitchen has taken Liverpool by storm since its opening in December 2022, with news of its fresh pastries and delicious lunches spreading far and wide. It’s located…

food and drink
Liverpool
Café or Coffee Shop
Parliament Square Coffee

A highlight of Baltic Triangle’s speciality coffee scene, don’t miss Parliament Square Coffee’s fresh brunch options and excellent brews.

food and drink
City Centre
Café or Coffee Shop
COFFI

A speciality coffee shop in Liverpool’s historic Georgian Quarter, COFFI serves some of the best coffee in the city.

What's on: Families

Manchester Christmas Markets 2021
Until
FamiliesCity Centre
Manchester Christmas Markets

The Manchester Christmas Markets are back for 2024, with many dozens of stalls in front of the town hall, and hundreds of traders spread across city-centre squares.

free entry
Until
FestivalsManchester
Winter Island

Freight Island has transformed into Winter Island for the Christmas season, focusing on all things fun and festive.

free entry

Culture Guides

Raver Tots at Escape to Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

As we move into festive season, Manchester and the North is packed with fun events and activities for families, both indoors and outdoors.

Music in the North

From Afrobeat to psychedelia, alternative rock to glistening pop, we take a look at some of the best gigs happening in early 2025.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

From contemporary dance to ballet classics, and cult rock ‘n’ roll musicals to new writing, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.

Walker & Bromwich, Love Cannon, 2006, lambda print Photo:
Exhibitions in the North

Before the festive season completely takes over, we've rounded up some of the best exhibitions to see right now.

A man is dressed as an Elf in a decorated department store.
Cinema in the North

Get ready for animated classics, Muppet mayhem and a whole host of New York movies -- it's Christmas time in the cinema.