Family Activities

Toby’s Tall Tales
16 February, 16 March
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
26 January, 23 February, 23 March
Free Drop-In, no need to book, 2-4pm
“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow”- Audrey Hepburn
Using a template inspired by ‘Autumn’ by Edward Bawden, we’ll be looking forward to the year ahead by creating some gorgeous gardens using collage and drawings. Don’t bin your beautiful 2024 calendars, you can use them at crafternoon on 5 January!
My example uses old calendars by Angela Harding, Clare Curtis and CFA Voysey. Have fun hiding animals and insects behind flowers and shrubs, and make your own veggies using scrunched up paper. Make your garden traditional or completely fantastical.
Crafternoons are a monthly creative activity sessios for families to have a go at together and enjoy. 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.

Murder in the Museum
Started in October 2024 - 23 Feb 2025
Cardboard Clues is coming to The Higgins Bedford! Don your detective hat for Murder in the Museum, a unique mystery adventure. Search for clues and track 'cardboard' characters throughout the exhibits to piece together their stories and solve the mysteries. Perfect for families and friends, tickets are £25 per team.
To book visit www.cardboardclues.com.
February Half Term Fossil inspired family activities
Come and join a variety of fun and creative activities at half term inspired by the Jurassic specimens shown as part of the Mary Anning Rocks display.

Drypoint Etching with illustrator Katie Allen
Tuesday 18 February, 11 – 1pm
£5.50 Book Online
Fossil themed drypoint etching workshop.
Suitable for children aged 10+. Please note the workshop lasts 2 hours.
Please use promotional code HIGGINS30 to avoid paying a transaction fee when booking a place.
Geological Time Travel with Bedfordshire Geology Group
Wednesday 19 February
11.15 and 12.45, £3.55 per child Book Online
Come and travel through time and discover the creatures and global events that shaped the Earth we see today. Explore different geological time zones with fun interactive activities and handling of amazing samples preserved by the earth beneath our feet. Please note this workshop lasts 1 hour. Suitable for children aged 5-12 years.

Creating your own fossils with Creative Days
Thursday 20 February 11.15, 12.45 and 2.15
£5.50 per child Book Online
Create fossil-like shapes and patterns directly onto pebbles, stones and slate which have been found in the local area, using pastels and chalks, pens, charcoal, watercolour paints and mark making tools and more! Please note this workshop lasts 1 hour. Suitable for children aged 5 – 12 years.

Clay workshops with Anne-Marie Abbate
Friday 21 February 11.15, 12.45 and 2.15
£5.50 per child Book Online
Get hands on and create your own fossils using air drying clay. Will you make ammonites or dinosaur bones or a collection of all things prehistoric? Please note this workshop lasts 1 hour. Suitable for children aged 5 – 12 years.

Creative activities for Early Years
Suitable for children aged 2 to 5 years Free
7 February, 7 March
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 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 or download the flyer, CUL023_24 Higgins Puggle Club ACC

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