A playful and imaginative installation designed to entertain early years children is on display in Salford.
The Bobeam Tree, a bright, vibrant and sensory play experience designed for children aged 0-5 will be housed at The Lowry Theatre until Sunday 14 June.
It has arrived in Salford through a partnership with the National Portrait Gallery and The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, a charity led by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The Bobeam Tree was first unveiled as part of a special trail opened by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales at the National Portrait Gallery in 2025 and has come to The Lowry on its tour to a select number of museums and galleries across the UK.
Jennifer Riding, Director of Learning and Engagement at Lowry, said: “We are proud to be welcoming the Bobeam Tree to Lowry and working with The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood and the National Portrait Gallery this Spring.
“By embracing the ethos behind the Bobeam Tree, we will embed family voices at the heart of our programme and create a legacy that extends well beyond the Bobeam Tree installation.”
The programme is inspired by The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood’s Shaping Us Framework, which highlights the importance of nurturing social and emotional skills in the early years.
The Bobeam Tree is a magical tree which – so the story goes – grows when surrounded by children’s imaginations and stories.
Galleries and museums around the UK are creating their own trails and experiences around the Tree to help babies and young children connect with their collections – in this case, the LS Lowry collection.
The colourful tree arrived in Salford directly from the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA) and will move on to Sheffield after its stay at The Lowry.
Jennifer added: “From practical adaptations such as child-friendly menus and facilities, to imaginative trails and storytelling sessions, these initiatives will remove barriers, enrich experiences, and ensure families feel valued and supported throughout their visit.”
Several trails will begin at the Bobeam tree before taking children through the galleries. Each stop on the trail features a different sensory element, designed to support early development by encouraging children to explore, observe and talk about the LS Lowry collection.
The tours will be led by Teddy mascot Jack the Dog, who is inspired by the small, bright-eyed dog that appears in LS Lowry’s 1959 watercolour Group of People. He acts as a playful bridge between LS Lowry’s artwork and the imaginative adventures children can enjoy within the Galleries.
For the duration of the Bobeam Tree’s stay at The Lowry, free immersive storytelling sessions designed for families and early years groups exploring the installation and LS Lowry’s collection will take place.
Families from across Salford who are engaged in Lowry’s Creative Families sessions will be offered transport to the galleries, removing barriers to participation and widening access as part of the programme.
The Lowry will also collaborate with Early Years organisations and networks across the city to reach families and settings who may benefit most from cultural engagement and ensure they are supported holistically, recognising the role of creativity in early child development and wellbeing.
“Establishing a Creative Families Collective will guarantee that our offer continues to evolve in line with community needs, securing long-term relevance and inclusivity,” Jennifer said.
“As we continue to mark our 25th Year, this is a timely and transformative opportunity to make the LS Lowry collection a benchmark for family-friendly cultural spaces, nurturing the next generation of visitors and ensuring our collection remains accessible, engaging, and loved for years to come.”
