Summer Holiday Activities
Choose from archaeology, animal encounters, clay, crafting, circus skills, felt, fire, painting, printing, rocket launches and so much more!
All workshops last an hour. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Booking is essential unless stated otherwise. Adults do not need to book a place. To book a place for children visit the website at www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Book_Online, or call the Box Office on 01234 718044 (open Wednesday – Saturday, 10am-4pm).
Please use promo code HIGGINS30 to avoid paying a transaction fee. 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. We don't offer refunds or credit notes on bookings no longer required, but you can sell your ticket onto a friend, just let us know the name of the person the ticket has been transferred to.
Clay Keepsake Holders with Anne-Marie Abbate
Thursday 13 August, £6.05 per child
Suitable for ages 5-12
11.15am–12.15pm, 12.45–1.45 pm and 2.15-3.15pm
Do you collect special things? Construct a three-dimensional clay niche to display all your favourite and precious keepsake items. Add imprints and patterns to make your niche truly unique.
Dino Planters with The Goodlife Garden
Tuesday 18 August, £3.90 per child
Suitable for ages 5-12
10-11am & 11.30am-12.30pm
Using recycled materials, make your own Dino plant pal for your windowsill where you can watch your plant grow, plant included.
Fire Tiles with Little Science Labs SOLD OUT
Wednesday 19 August, £6.05 per child
Suitable for ages 5-12
11.15am-12.15pm, 12.45–1.45pm and 2.15-3.15pm
Create your own beautiful tile using the magic of flammable inks. Children will learn about the fire triangle as well as how to light a fire safely in this unique and exciting fire workshop.
All workshops last an hour. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Booking is essential unless stated otherwise. 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, call the Box Office on 01234 718044 (open Wednesday – Saturday, 10am-4pm). Please use promo code HIGGINS30 to avoid paying a transaction fee. 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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Young Lacemakers sessions in Garden Room
15 August, 19 September
11.30am - 1.30pm and 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.
Puggle Club
Wednesday 26 August 11.30am-1.30pm at Bedford Central Library
Puggle Club is the perfect chance to get creative, have fun, and socialise offering free art & craft activities, stories and sensory play for children aged 2-5 years with their parents and carers. Pop in between 10.30am-12 or 1-2.30pm. Siblings are welcome to attend. No booking required but, if the room is busy please wait a short time, until there is space.
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Storytelling in the Gallery with Belinda
Sunday 30 August, Free,
2:30pm no need to book, suitable for ages up to 7
Belinda will be leading children on a creative exploration of stories this Sunday.. Enjoy the immersive storytelling experience, plus there is air conditioning in galleries for parents and carers keen to escape the heat. Our story sessions are perfect children under the age of 7. Please be aware, space in the gallery is limited and offered on a first come, first served basis.
Creative activities for Early Years
Suitable for children under 5 years
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.
Sunday Crafternoons
27 September
Free Drop-In, no need to book, 2-4pm (last admission 3:30pm)
Come and have a go at making Paper Dolls or creatures and their clothes with local artist Lisa Tilley. You can design your own character and the clothes they might wear or you can colour in and cut out one of the templates Lisa’s pre-prepared. So suitable for all. 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.
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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