Family Activities
Glass Plate Negative Workshop
Tuesday 17 September 11am and 1.30pm
We are offering a free family workshop to produce a glass plate photograph of yourself to be part of our Community Portrait Exhibition at The Higgins Bedford from the 28th September to 23rd February 2025.
You will have the opportunity to use a vintage camera and through using the collodion wet plate system you will produce your image on glass as the Victorians did in the 1850s to 1880s. You then will be able to pick up your image after the exhibition to keep.
This workshop is scheduled for 2.5 hours. Participants are asked to attend an introductory talk at the start of the session and you will be allocated time slots to produce your artwork one to one with the artist. Whilst you are waiting for your time slot you can spend free time in the galleries or off-site.
Suitable for children over the age of 12. All children must be accompanied by adults. For families attending places need to be booked for children and adults.
Link to booking page
Half Term Holiday Activities
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).
Tuesday 29 October: Monster Collage
11:15, 12:45 and 2:15
£5.50 per child, accompanying adults do not need to book
Come and join local artist Katie Allen to make a Monster Collage.
Use code HIGGINS30 to remove transaction fee.
Wednesday 30 October: Wizard Wands
11:15, 12:45 and 2:15
£5.50 per child, accompanying adults do not need to book
Come and make a Witches and Wizards Wand with Creative Days.
Use code HIGGINS30 to remove transaction fee.
Thursday 31 October: Clay Pumpkin
11:15, 12:45 and 2:15
£5.50 per child, accompanying adults do not need to book
Come and join creative practitioner Anne-Marie Abbate to make a clay pumpkin tealight holder for Halloween. Use code HIGGINS30 to remove transaction fee.
Murder in the Museum
Starting in October 2024
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.
Creative activities for Early Years
Suitable for children aged 2 to 5 years Free
4 October, 1 November, 6 December, 3 January, 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
Cultural Roots Sound System Museum Discovery Day
21 September 2024
11am – 4pm
Come and join us for lots of fun activities throughout the day exploring the themes from the Sound System Museum display. The day will include demonstrations of sound system equipment, a discussion panel about Sound System with special guests, and sounds from across the decades with some refreshments to enjoy. More programme information coming soon.
Sunday Crafternoons
29 September, 27 October, 17 November, 15 December, 5 and 26 January, 23 February, 23 March
Free Drop-In, no need to book, 2-4pm
Monthly creative activities 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.
Toby’s Tall Tales
Sundays: 6 October, 3 November, 1 December, 19 January, 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.
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