Stories in the Gallery
Sundays: 21 April, 19 May, 16 June
Start at 2:30pm Free No need to book
Toby’s Tall Tales: Join trained actor and teacher Toby in the art gallery on a creative exploration of stories.
Toby will engage children with immersive story reading and help children create their own stories using puppets, drawings and songs. Ideal for ages 1-5.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Please be aware, space in the gallery is limited and is offered on a first come, first served basis.
May 2024 Half-term Family activities
Tuesday 28 May
Let’s go fishing!
Catch a Common Carp or Roach, both are found in the Great River Ouse. Decorate your fish in your own style.
Workshops will be led by local artist and creative practitioner Anne-Marie Abbate.
3 workshops: 11.15, 12.45 and 2.15
20 places per workshop £5.50
Booking is essential for ALL of our Activities, always use the promotional code HIGGINS30 to avoid paying a transaction fee.
Wednesday 29 May
Make Your Own Turtle
You and the family are invited to come and create your very own pocket-sized turtles.
Workshops will be led by Ross Bolwell-Williams, Bedfordshire based participatory artist.
3 workshops 11.15, 12.45 and 2.15
15 places per workshop £5.50
Booking is essential for ALL of our Activities, always use the promotional code HIGGINS30 to avoid paying a transaction fee.
Thursday 30 May
Swan Sculpture
Have you seen the beautiful swans along the Great River Ouse? Learn how to sculpt a swan, using various papers, tape and glue.
Workshops will be led by local artist and creative practitioner Anne-Marie Abbate.
3 workshops: 11.15, 12.45 and 2.15
20 places per workshop £5.50
Booking is essential for ALL of our Activities, always use the promotional code HIGGINS30 to avoid paying a transaction fee.
Friday 31 May
River themed craft, poetry and singing
Come and celebrate the River Great Ouse in an art, poetry and music session.
The first part of the session will be to create frog and nature themed craft followed by storytelling and song to bring the craft to life.
Workshops will be led by Anthea Barclay, a poet, educator and creative producer based in Bedford.
3 workshops: 11.15, 12.45 and 2.15
15 places per workshop £5.50
Booking is essential for ALL of our Activities, always use the promotional code HIGGINS30 to avoid paying a transaction fee.
Summer Holidays – The Siege of Bedford Castle
Dates to be released in July
800 years ago, Bedford Castle was under siege. Come and join in with a variety of castle themed fun and creative activities for the family and discover the story.
All workshops last for an hour and are suitable for ages 5 to 12. Check our website and social media for up-to-date details on availability and charges for holiday activities. To book a place on all holiday activities visit the website at www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Book_Online or call the Box Office on 01234 718044 (open Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 4pm).
Creative activities for Early Years
Suitable for children aged 2 to 5 years
3 May, 7 June, 5 July, 2 August, 6 September
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 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. For more information click here.
Sunday Crafternoons
21 April and 19 May
Free Entry. Drop in anytime between 2pm and 4pm. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No need to book!
Join in monthly creative activities for families to enjoy together. Explore the amazing art and fascinating artefacts on display around the building, then use your imagination and a range of media and materials to get arty.
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.
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.
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.
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