Family Activities
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Storytelling in the Gallery
22 March
Free, no need to book, 2.30pm
In March, join Belinda for a creative exploration of stories.
Children will be engaged with an immersive story reading experience that uses resources such as puppets, drawings, songs and the artwork from the gallery. Ideal for ages up to 7. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Please be aware that space in the gallery is limited and is offered on a first come first served basis.
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Easter Holiday Activities
Enjoy awesome animal encounters and learn skills to become an Archaeology Detective. Produce a pop-up theatre or your own illustrated book! Create your own character badges from clay, make a mosaic mandala from felt plus lots more.
Teaching Talons: Animal Encounters
SOLD OUT
Tuesday 31 March
£6.05 per child, suitable for ages 5-12
Workshops 10.15am-11.15am, 11.30am-12.30pm, 1pm-2pm
Get ready for an awesome close encounter with the animal ambassadors from Teaching Talons. Come are meet the friendly animals from Teaching Talons. Get up close to a variety of reptiles, mammals, creepy crawlies and even birds from around the World!
Pop Up Theatres
Wednesday 1 April
£6.05 per child, suitable for ages 5-12
Workshops 10am-11am and 11:30am-12:30pm
Come and work with artist Lisa Tilley, to create your own pop-up theatre in a box using collage, paper art and drawings inspired by the exhibition of Noel Carrington. Make your own characters for your theatre to act out your own stories and take it home to put on shows.
Generally suitable for ages 5+ but young siblings can join and participate where appropriate for them.
Illustrate your own Book
Thursday 2 April
£6.05 per child, suitable for ages 5-12
Workshops 10am-11am and 11:30am-12:30pm
Using images from the Noel Carrington exhibition, create your own illustrated book with artist Philippa McDonald of Creative Days. You will work directly with images to create collage material and will be shown how to use carbon paper (in different colours!) to create images of your own. We will talk a little about the printing process all of which will feature in your own book to take home.
Clay Character Badge Making
Tuesday 7 April
£6.05 per child, suitable for ages 10+
Workshops 1pm-2pm, 2.30pm-3.30pm
Join artist Katie Allen to make badges of your favourite characters in clay. The one pictured takes inspiration from Orlando the cat in the Noel Carrington exhibition but you can bring your own ideas to shape your clay creation.
Felt-Making Workshop
Wednesday 8 April
£6.05 per child, suitable for ages 5-12
Workshops 10am-11am and 11:30am-12:30pm
Create your own colourful mandala using sheep's wool. Lay out the fibres and cut out shapes, add soap and water for a fun, magical and environmentally friendly activity. Workshop led by artist Anne-Marie Abbate.
Archaeology Detectives
Thursday 9 April
£3.90 per child, suitable for ages 5-12
Workshops 10am-11am, 11:30am-12:30pm
Become an ‘Archaeology Detective' and discover how we can learn about the past by what people have left behind. Search through our mini dig trays and start to identify what the objects might be. Have a go at reconstructing items from the past such as a small pot or tile.
Reconstructing the Past; Clay Pot Making
Thursday 9 April
Free, Drop in 1.30pm-3.30pm
Suitable for ages 5+ to adult
In 2025, Albion Archaeology excavated a site at Sutton School which led to the discovery of a medieval kiln. The kiln’s contents and other artefacts are to be exhibited at the Higgins Bedford in April. You can get involved and contribute to a reconstruction of the kiln by making a small clay pot that will feature in the display.
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Please be aware that space is limited and there may be a wait to start.
All of the bookable workshops last an hour. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Booking is essential. Adults do not need to book a place. To book a place for children on all holiday activities, visit the website at www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Book_Online, or call the Box Office on 01234 718044 (open Wednesday – Saturday, 10am-4pm).
If a booked place is no longer required for any of our workshops, please let us know so that it can be made available to another family.
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Cardboard Clues - Murder in the Museum
On Now until 12 April 2026
Cardboard Clues is back with an all-new murder mystery experience and three brand new cases to crack, new puzzles and even more murder! Teams will discover different cardboard characters and clues hidden throughout the museum's collections solving new mysteries using the interactive smartphone app. Perfect for families, friends, and puzzle enthusiasts looking for a unique way to explore the museum.
Young Lacemakers sessions in Garden Room
28 March
2pm – 4pm, £2 per session, booking essential
Aragon Lacemakers are also offering Young Lacemakers sessions on the same day as their demonstration sessions from 2pm to 4pm for children between the ages of 6 to 16 years. The lessons are tailored to each child’s pace in a supportive environment and equipment is provided. There is a small charge of £2 per session per child.
To book a place for the Young Lacemakers session please email Aragonlacemakers@gmail.com for more information.
Sunday Crafternoons
12 April, 10 May, 28 June, 27 September
Free Drop-In, no need to book, 2-4pm
Crafternoons are a free, monthly creative activity sessions for families to have a go at 'making' together and enjoy the chance to get creative. All resources are provided. Suitable for under 12s. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please be aware that space is limited and there may be a wait to start. Above are just some of the creations from the last session.
Creative activities for Early Years
Suitable for children under 5 years
10 April, 1 May, 5 June, 3 July, 7 August, 4 September
Free, no need to book 10.30am-12 & 1-2.30pm
A chance to get creative, have fun, and socialise!
It’s a drop-in activity, so no need to book. Just pop in any time between 10.30am and 12 or between 1pm and 2.30pm and stay for as long as you like. Please be aware some activities might not be suitable for under 24 months.
Children must be accompanied by an adult, come and join in the Puggle fun. All activities are subject to availability, if the room is getting a bit full, we might ask you to wait until there is space.
I Spy with Kevin the Platypus
Kevin the Platypus has been with the museum for well over 100 years and he still loves exploring.
Pick up a free ‘I Spy’ trail and discover awesome objects and amazing art all over the galleries and collections. There are many themes to choose from.
Super Silly Museums!
The Higgins Bedford is delighted to be one of the winners of a book giveaway to mark the release of 'Super Silly Museums' by popular children’s author, Nick Sharratt.
Create your own adventure by seeing how many things you can spot from the book at The Higgins Bedford with this fun self-led trail.
Download the trail or pick up a free copy from reception. The book is available for young visitors to enjoy reading in the museum.
All Aboard!
Join The Higgins Bedford and Spectrum Community Arts and travel through a series of video workshops filled with movement, music and games themed around transport. Aimed at children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Subtitled versions are available to watch here.
Sensory Movement with Mel
This sensory movement video is aimed at people of any age who love to dance and use fun, sensory based props! The dances are inspired by transport and we will be dancing like airplanes, bikes and much more. Come along and use noisy shakers, colourful scarves and other props to explore fun ways of transport!
Sensory Adventure with Frankie
Calling sensory seekers! Help Frankie follow the map to find the hidden treasure! This adventure will stimulate your senses as we journey up the river using props, music and movement.
Learn a Dance Routine with Jade
On your marks, get set, GO! Join Jade to learn a fun, accessible dance routine! Aimed at those with disabilities and additional needs - get your engines revving as we dance down the highway together!
Arts & Crafts with Lila
Up, up and away! Join Lila to make your own hot air balloon in this fun crafts session inspired by Colonel Frederick Burnaby’s air adventures. (Adult supervision required)
Sensory Music with Sarah
Whoo Whoo – All Aboard! Get ready to sing, play and move in this sensory music session. We’ll be climbing aboard a stream train and flying high in a hot air balloon. Bring an instrument or even a tub of pasta and let’s shake, rattle and roll together!
These workshops were part of Bedford Borough Council’s Summer of SEND, a celebration of all things Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND) across Bedford.
Note: Neither Spectrum Community Arts, The Higgins Bedford or Bedford Borough Council own the music used in these videos. It is being used purely for performance purposes and not for profit.
Tales of Colonel Frederick Burnaby
Join Vicki as she reads a story from the Tales of Colonel Frederick Burnaby. The famous Victorian Bedfordian was known for his great strength and daring, world-wide travelling adventures, hot air ballooning escapades and eventful military career. A ‘larger than life’ man, who was very much of his time. (Suitable for ages 7+)
Part 1
Part 2