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Children's & Family Events Archive
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We at inspiringyourkids.com are committed to playing our part in developing a climate in which interesting, stimulating and life enhancing events for children, young people and their families take place on an increasingly frequent basis. Consequently, you will find here in our archive details of events we previously showcased in our listings section which have now taken place, so that anyone interested in replicating them in their own country, region or locality has a contact point. |
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Grounded 
Puppets In The Wild Picasso : Histoire Naturelle Exhibition for children and their families in which 31 of Picasso's prints of animals, birds and insects, which he produced for a French book on natural history, are paired with toys and other objects from the museum's collection. Full details from vam.ac.uk/moc
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Cirque Depot The Lion The Witch & The Wardrobe Adapted by the brilliant Adrian Mitchell and suitable for children of 7 and up, this production was originally created at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford and has since toured around the UK to sell out highly appreciative audiences. CS Lewis's fantastical land of Narnia, the creatures who live there and the adventures of the children from our world, who find themselves first visitors then participants in the battle against the White Witch, are all spellbindingly realised here. Full details from coliseum.org.uk |
Little Japan Workshops for children up to the age of fifteen providing the opportunity for participants to create miniature Japanese gardens and stock them with tiny plants, ponds and bridges made from paper. Details from cac.org.uk |
Suitable for children of 6 and over this is a circus cabaret for all the family featuring acrobats, jugglers and aerial artists, and characterised by split second timing, daredevil artistry, sleight-of-hand, high times and fast times. Full details from artsdepot.co.uk |
Much Ado About Nothing Another great family production from Illyria that makes Shakespeare not only accessible to children but a genuinely fun experience too that lets them see what great stories most of his plays are. Claudio loves Hero, and Benedick hates Beatrice. This is just as well, because Hero loves Claudio and Beatrice hates Benedick. Everyone laughs when Don Pedro plays a trick on Benedick and Beatrice, letting each think that they are secretly loved by the other. But it is no laughing matter when Don John plays a trick on Claudio and Hero, deceiving Claudio into thinking that Hero is not faithful to him. Murderous rage is unleashed, and death can be the only solution... Or can it? Perhaps one last trick may resurrect the innocent dead, restore broken relationships - and even create an unlikely union of Benedick and Beatrice! Full details from macrobert.org |
Children of all ages will thrill to the blend of acting and puppetry in this show which includes all the key adventures, and is enhanced by a vibrant 'story book' set, special effects and clever puppetry. Full details from darlingtonarts.co.uk |
The Gruffalo's Child Children up to around 7 will delight in this Tall Stories production as they bring vividly to life Julia Donaldson and Axel Sheffler’s award winning picture book sequel to the original Gruffalo story with their truly beguiling musical adaptation. While the Gruffalo warns that nobody should set foot in the deep dark wood the Gruffalo's child ignores her father's advice and steps out into the snow - after all the Big Bad Mouse doesn't really exist....does he? Full details from hallforcornwall.co.uk |
This electrifying production is a breathtaking and heart-pounding spectacle that will have children and their families on the edge of their seats. Featuring world-class artistes from all over the globe, this award winning show will represent a summer high point for any kids lucky enough to be taken to experience it. Please note that the Liverpool Empire website is being revamped so for now details about this and other shows there can be accessed at visitliverpool.com |
Danny Champion Of The World Danny lives in a caravan with his Dad, the most marvellous and exciting Dad any boy ever had. But his father has a secret! When night comes, he poaches pheasants from Hazell's Wood. Mr Hazell, the biggest landowner in the district, wants to evict them both and the battle is quickly on to save their home. But how can one little boy defeat a rich and powerful landowner? Danny has a plan - and soon he and his Dad are caught up in a thrilling and remarkable adventure! Full details from aylesburycivic.org |
Older children and teenagers will be keen to join the four million people worldwide who have so far seen this show. It's packed with breathtaking dance routines and unforgettable songs as the students of New York's High School for the Performing Arts find themselves on an inspiring journey of laughter, tears, heartache and romance. Full details from theatreroyal.co.uk |
Horrible Histories : The Ruthless Romans Two great shows from Birmingham Stage Company adapt the phenomenon that is Terry Deary's hugely successful rip roaring books of history for children. Actors and ground breaking 3D special effects combine to conjure gruesome tales of Emperors and Pharaoh's, gladiators and mummies. Full details from livenation.co.uk/york |
Illyria bring their version of Robin Hood to the children and families section of the programme of the fourth year of the Open Air Theatre Festival, while Beaufort Productions' enchanting Peter Pan is also set to be a highlight for kids of this growing event. Full details from bacontheatre.co.uk/openair |
The Wind In The Willows This production of Kenneth Grahame’s much-loved classic is a treat for everyone aged 5 and over, and features a very loud Toad in a real car! Mole is bored with spring-cleaning because he yearns for adventure. Ratty likes messing about in boats and dreaming up the odd line of poetry. Badger likes a quiet life and generally to be left alone. Into their lives bursts Toad, who likes very fast cars and who just can’t seem to help getting into trouble. To what lengths will the animal friends go in order to reform Toad’s character and evict the stoat and weasel squatters from Toad Hall in order to restore justice to the world? Full details from macrobert.org |
The widely acclaimed Presto Puppets present Puppet Parade, a colourful, fast moving puppet variety show with a host of glamorous half life size trick marionettes. This performance is a great introduction for small children to live theatre. The production has an interactive element that allows kids to bring their very own puppet to life. Full details from watersideartscentre.co.uk |
Beauty And The Beast The hallmark exuberant storytelling and beautifully crafted puppets of The Puppet Lab will delight children of 5 and over in this lovely rendition of this classic fairytale exploring the nature of love. Full details from dundeereptheatre.co.uk |
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Children and their families get to follow the yellow brick road in an outdoor theatre production of this classic tale featuring Dorothy, Toto, the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion and Scarecrow, staged by Heartbreak Productions. Full details from manchester.gov.uk/leisure/parks |
Two great shows from Birmingham Stage Company adapt the phenomenon that is Terry Deary's hugely successful rip roaring books of history for children. Actors and ground breaking 3D special effects combine to conjure gruesome tales of Emperors and Pharaoh's, gladiators and mummies. Full details from sheffieldtheatres.co.uk |
Fantasy Castles |
Fame : The Musical |
The Sun, The Moon And Half A Chicken |
Summer Party A day long theatre festival for children and their families jam-packed with interactive shows and events that feature an exciting line-up of some of the world’s most inspiring companies and artists. Full details from lyric.co.uk |
This brilliant adaptation by Nicholas Wright of Philip Pullman's trilogy was first performed to sell out audiences at The National Theatre in London. Told in two parts this is an epic journey for both the characters and the audience, as Lyra and Will encounter - soul-eating spectres, child-catching gobblers, a manipulative mother, a megalomaniac father and a corrupt church. With a cast of 30, stunning costumes and masks, an original musical score and superb special effects this battle of good and evil promises an exceptional drama experience for children aged seven and over, young people and the adults who accompany them. Full details from missiontheatre.co.uk |
Creatures Of The Woodland |
Danny lives in a caravan with his Dad, the most marvellous and exciting Dad any boy ever had. But his father has a secret! When night comes, he poaches pheasants from Hazell's Wood. Mr Hazell, the biggest landowner in the district, wants to evict them both and the battle is quickly on to save their home. But how can one little boy defeat a rich and powerful landowner? Danny has a plan - and soon he and his Dad are caught up in a thrilling and remarkable adventure! Please note that the Liverpool Empire website is being revamped so for now details about this and other shows there can be accessed at visitliverpool.com |
Super Senses Children's event designed to examine and explore the similarities and differences between their own senses and those of a range of wildlife creatures. Full details from nts.org.uk |
Adventurous Family Fun Day At Scrabo Children of all ages and their families get the chance to have a go at a range of outdoor activities including archery, climbing and laser guided clay pigeon shooting, have the opportunity to learn or improve circus skills, can try out a number of orienteering and nature trails and will have the chance to put their energies into solving various puzzles that have been set by the organisers. Full details from ehsni.gov.uk |
The Library Theatre Touring Company present this new adaptation of the classic children's story by Kenneth Grahame which was published almost 100 years ago. The irresistible Riverbank adventures of the irrepressible Mr. Toad and his friends, kindly Mole, clever Rat and wise old Badger are played out faithfully by the four actors in this charming production. The performance features 8 original songs written especially for the play. Full details from watersideartscentre.co.uk |
Illustrate! Suitable for children and teenagers up to 14, this is an opportunity for families to work together to create a drawing or collage as an illustration for a story, using the British Library Treasures Collection for inspiration, with the results going on display in the British Museum. Details from bl.uk |
Blaidd Mawr Drwg (Big Bad Wolf) Children's theatre for the under 8s featuring subversive fun with folktales, as Little Red Riding Hood has to sort out the BB Wolf for mucking around with the stories of perfectly respectable fairytale characters. Details from shermantheatre.co.uk |
The Italian Garden Suitable for children of 8 and above this production features Teatro di Piazza O D'occasione's trademark high-tech, sensor-sensitive carpet, triggering courtly dances, magical cupids and the sounds of sun-filled gardens. Watch the dancers move through a labyrinth of hidden worlds and listen to their whispered songs as they merge spellbinding computer technology with wonderful movement. Full details from macrobert.stir.ac.uk |
Suitable for children of 4 and above, Italy’s leading children’s theatre company Teatro di Piazza O D’occasione (TPO) in 'The Kurdish Garden' take their audience on a journey of fantastic colours, peculiar shapes, beautiful sounds and the secret life of a virtual painted landscape. Led by two dancers and using images created by the Kurdish artist Rebwar Saeed, this TPO experience, which was originally commissioned and co-produced by the Lyric in London's Hammersmith, involves a high-tech, sensor-sensitive carpet that triggers magical sounds, visuals and dance to create an unforgettable experience for eyes, ears, knees toes. Full details from macrobert.stir.ac.uk |
Snow White Suitable for children from two and up this show from The Dance Bank is a blend of classical ballet, modern jazz and tap. Full details from horsecross.co.uk |
Children and their families get the chance, thanks to this production in the castle's Italian gardens, to savour lovely live music and multi-talented acting, as Heartbreak bring the story of the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow and, of course, Dorothy and Toto wonderfully to life. L Frank Baum's classic book, with it's Yellow Brick Road, Emerald City, Emperor and Wicked Witch of the West can rarely have been so magically adapted. Full details from glamis-castle.co.uk |
Showcomotion Young People's Film Festival The longest established children's film festival in Britain offers an extensive programme of workshops and screenings featuring the best of current and recent children's and family films from around the world, many of which sadly children won't get another opportunity to enjoy outside of the film festival circuit. The event also sees the presentation of awards from UNICEF UK for films addressing young people's rights. Details from showcomotion.org.uk |
Enchanting opera for children and their families comes courtesy of an exciting collaboration between the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and members of the Italian based Bari Conservatoire and Teatro Kismet. Full details from birmingham-rep.co.uk |
Two great shows from Birmingham Stage Company adapt the phenomenon that is Terry Deary's hugely successful rip roaring books of history for children. Actors and ground breaking 3D special effects combine to conjure gruesome tales of Emperors and Pharaoh's, gladiators and mummies. Full details from thelowry.com |
Caught In The Act 
The Railway Children 
Fame - The Musical 
Open Air Theatre Festival 
Puppet Parade 
The Little Matchstick Girl
Macbeth
The Wizard Of Oz 
Horrible Histories : The Ruthless Romans & The Awful Egyptians 
His Dark Materials 
Danny Champion Of The World 
The Wind In The Willows 
The Kurdish Garden 
The Wizard Of Oz 
The Swineherd Prince King Arthur Open air theatre performance suitable for all the family staged by Anvil Productions, providing tales of the Round Table, knights in shining armour and their heroic deeds. Full details from nationaltrust.org.uk |
Imagine A City Storyteller Ewan McVicar tells tales and spins yarns based on the paintings of Edinburgh artist Michael McVeigh in this family event especially for 8 - 15 year olds, designed to tickle ears and challenge imaginations. Details from scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk |
The Jungle Book This stage adaptation by Image Musical Theatre of Rudyard Kipling's classic tale of Mowgli the mancub,s journey to maturity is suitable for children of five and over. Details from buxtonoperahouse.org.uk |
Itsy Bitsy Books Lizzie Price shows children and their families in this hands on workshop how to create, hand decorate and hand bind special family books. to hold photos, phone numbers, addresses and secrets! Full details from islandartscentre.com |
Night Jars At Dusk Opportunity for children and their families to observe iight jars, amongst the most elusive of nocturnal birds, as they go hawking for food at dusk. Given their almost supernatural reputation for silent flight avian expert Martin Rule will help kids attending to develop and practise stealthy observation skills to get the most out of the experience. Full details from cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk |
Beauty And The Beast This 45 minute show which is suitable for children of 5 and up is beautifully recreated by the Puppet Lab using animation, live action, masks and marionette & shadow puppets. Full details from northedinburgharts.co.uk |
World Children’s Festival Organised by the International Child Art Foundation and held once every four years, The World Children's Festival brings together hundreds of young artists and child performers along with adults active in education, politics, business and a wide range of other spheres, for a huge programme of creative workshops, performance showcases, discussions and hands on activities. Anyone can attend or participate and an average of 10,000 do at each festival. Full details from icaf.org/worldfestival |
The Man Who Planted Trees Suitable for children of 7 and over, this version of the modern classic tale by Gene Gono was one of the biggest hits at last years Edinburgh Festival. In a wonderful blend if comedy, puppetry and inspirational storytelling the Puppet State Theatre Company tell the story of a French shepherd who sets out to transform a barren landscape by planting trees. Full details from thelowry.com |
Pixie Day This event, which takes place annually on the Saturday nearest Midsummers Day, features children in the Devon town of Ottery St Mary re-enacting an ancient legend. They become pixies for the day and kidnap the bellringers from the parish church taking them to their 'cave' in the Town Square. After heady celebrations the little people release their campanologist captives and a festival of shows and refreshments begins climaxing at dusk with a firework spectacular. Full details from otterytourism.org.uk |
