Family Activities
May Half Term Printing Activities
Join us for a series of Bawden inspried workshops that gives families the opportunity to have a go at print making and creating unique artworks, on paper, bags, or adorning your own special sketchbook!
27 May
Tote bag block printing for teens and tweens
Design and print your own block printed tote bag with an opportunity to cut your own lino block too. You can take your bag away at the end of the workshop showing your design.
Places for workshops are limited so booking is essential. Suitable for children aged 9 +. This workshop lasts 90 minutes and takes place at 11.15am and 1.15pm. You need only book a place for each participating child, not the accompanying adult. When booking your workshop place, please use the promotional code HIGGINS30, to avoid paying a transaction fee.
28 May
Stamp and Print
Taking inspiration from Edward Bawden’s prints, you can come and make your own stamp to try out printing yourself, with local artist Lisa Tilley.
Places for workshops are limited so booking is essential. Suitable for children aged 5-12 years. These workshops last one hour and take place at 11.15am, 12.45pm and 2.15pm. You need only book a place for each participating child, not the accompanying adult. When booking your workshop place, please use the promotional code HIGGINS30, to avoid paying a transaction fee.
29 May
Playful Prints
Get stuck into a playful printmaking session where you’ll design your own crafty foam stamps and use them to decorate a personalised sketchbook cover. A relaxed, hands on workshop that’s perfect for getting creative, everyone will leave with a one of a kind sketchbook to take home.
Places for workshops are limited so booking is essential. Suitable for children aged 5-12 years. These workshops last one hour and take place at 11.15am, 12.45pm and 2.15pm. You need only book a place for each participating child, not the accompanying adult. When booking your workshop place, please use the promotional code HIGGINS30, to avoid paying a transaction fee.
30 May
Mono Printing to Make Amazing Animals
Recreate some of Bawden’s amazing animals using the mono printing technique and then design your own crazy creatures.
Places for workshops are limited so booking is essential. Suitable for 5-12 years. These workshops last one hour and take place at 11.15am, 12.45pm and 2.15pm. You need only book a place for each participating child, not the accompanying adult. When booking your workshop place, please use the promotional code HIGGINS30, to avoid paying a transaction fee.
Toby’s Tall Tales
11 May, 15 June, 20 July
Free, no need to book, 2.30pm
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, songs and the artwork from the gallery.
Ideal for ages up to 7. 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.
Sunday Crafternoons
25 May, 22 June
Free Drop-In, no need to book, 2-4pm
This Sunday we will be creating stars out of paper bags! Crafternoons are a free, monthly creative activity sessios 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 Free
6 June, 4 July, 1 August, 5 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 10:30 am 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.
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