Summer Holiday Activities 2019

Visit The Higgins Bedford throughout the summer holidays and enjoy activities and workshops for both children aged 5 and above and teenagers aged 12 to 16 years old.

Places are limited and should be booked in advance by purchasing a ticket at The Higgins Bedford reception desk. We are currently unable to take bookings online or over the phone. Unfilled places will be offered on a first-come, first served basis on the day.

Stories from the Wynding Wixam Tree
Every Wednesday 24th July - 28th August
11am & 2pm, £5 per child (free for accompanying adults)

Step into the world of spectacular stories performed by the Theatre of Widdershins. Gather at the Wynding Wixam Tree in the Round and Round the Garden exhibition, and join in fantastical adventures and traditional fairy tales that are guaranteed to captivate families. Different stories are performed each week including, The Princess & The Pea, Granny Dumpling and The King with Stinky Feet.

Teen Creativity Workshops
Every Wednesday 24th July - 28th August
12:30pm, £3 per person (no parents required)

Enjoy creative writing and arts and crafts workshops for teenagers aged 12 to 16 years old. Teens will be able to meet local artists Lisa Tilley and Kemi Onabuleand, professional author Derek Niemann and Christiana Payne, Professor of History of Art at Oxford Brookes University and have the opportunity to explore different art and media styles and gain insights into the professional arts world.

Sponsored by Oxford Brookes University

Horrible Higgins Histories
Every Friday 26th July - 30th August
11am, 12:30pm & 2pm, £3 per child (free for accompanying adults)

Travel through time and space with Kevin the Platypus, explore the museum’s collections and get creative in horribly historical creative workshops. From Stone Age to Space Age, there is sure to be an activity to delight families. Design and make Stone Age necklaces, Viking brooches, Victorian hats, moon rockets with Little Science Labs and more.

Family Fun this Weekend!

There's lots to do this weekend! Don't miss out on all the great events happening for all the family to enjoy. 

This Noisy Isle
Saturday 22nd June
Performances from 10am - 3pm
Adults: £8 / Child: £6

Get involved in This Noisy Isle, an outdoor treasure-hunt style performance for 7-11 year olds and their families, inspired by William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. This interactive adventure explores the refugee crisis in a new and inventive way and gives viewers the chance to solve puzzles, meet mysterious characters, navigate the choppy seas and more.

Book Tickets Here.

Working in Collaboration with Spun Glass Theatre and The Place Theatre.

Windrush Family Day & Global Kitchen
Saturday 22nd June
12pm - 5pm, Free Entry
Held at A Different Brew Cafe

Celebrate National Windrush Day and Bedford's Windrush Generation with a day of face painting, music, folk songs, dancing, dominoes, food and Windrush stories.

Working in Collaboration with Arise In Bloom, Nubian Teachings, Friends Of Refugees, Urban Adventures (Natures Gifts), Bedfordshire Opportunities for Learning Disabilities (B.O.L.D), Retired Caribbean Nurses of Bedfordshire (RCNA).

Round and Round the Garden Family Afternoon
Sunday 23rd June
2pm - 5pm, Free Entry

Enjoy an afternoon of garden themed activities for families, view the Round and Round the Garden exhibition and discover the Book Nook and Wynding Wixam Tree. Explore with Kevin the Platypus on his new trail. Take part in art and crafts workshops including Scratch Art, Drop-in Floating Flowers and Seed Bombs with Jane Perrone.

Places are limited for Seed Bomb workshops. To book, tel 01234 718618 / e-mail thehiggins@bedford.gov.uk.

May Half Term - For Children & Young People

Get creative with art and craft workshops based on current exhibition 'Round and Round the Garden – A Celebration of Horticulture in Art'. Not only are there fun activities for young children, but The Higgins Bedford has also introduced workshops for young people to enjoy. 

Events for Children - National Children's Gardening Week

Each Workshop has two sessions per day that start at 11am and 2pm and are aimed at accompanied children aged 5-11, not suitable for children under 3 years old.

Cress Craft

Tuesday 28 May  £3

Decorate a wooden house and garden, then plant and grow your own mini salad.

Garden Caddy

Wednesday 29 May  £3

Assemble and decorate a little wooden caddy for carrying hand tools and small plants around the garden.

Herb Planters

Friday 31 May £3

Make and decorate a self-watering planter.

Events for Young People

All workshops start at 12:30pm, last an hour and are aimed at 12-16 year olds. No parents required.

House and Garden

Tuesday 28 May £3

Create a mini-house and garden, plant your own salad.

Handy Caddy

Wednesday 29 May £3

Create a garden caddy, handy for garden tools or art stuff.

Planter People

Friday 31 May £3

Upcycle a plastic bottle and create a cute planter.

Places are limited for all workshops and can be booked in advance by buying a ticket at The Higgins Bedford reception desk. Spare tickets can be purchased at the desk on the day. We are currently unable to take bookings online or over the phone.