It only seems like last week we packed the kids back to school after Easter and here we are again, working out how to keep them entertained. Fear not as we have a great round up of what’s on and happening this May half term.
Below are activities and workshops but don’t forget our website also has lots of inspiration for days out to include parks, days out locally and a bit further afield, events and festivals, food & drink, shopping and the heritage in Bedford.
Bedford Creative Arts brings Imperial Airship Dreams
Bedford Central Library, in partnership with Bedford Creative Arts, are pleased to announce they have received a project grant from Arts Council England for a new participatory digital making project that explores Bedford’s long association with airships and technology.
During the May half-term, visitors to the library will be invited to work with artists Mike Stubbs and Dave Lynch over a week-long period to re-imagine and reconstruct the infamous R101 airship using a variety of media, including the library’s archive, augmented reality (AR) and mobile phone technology.
The Quarry Theatre have a fab show on Saturday 25th May – So Comedy & Broken Robot Productions by arrangement with Siren Talent Management present Sam & Mark’s On The Road Show
Children’s TV royalty Sam and Mark, as seen on CBBC’s Big Friday Wind-Up and Copycats, are taking to the road with a brand new live show this half term. Join the BAFTA award winning duo for an unmissable hour of entertainment jam packed with sketches, jokes and games in a show full of fun and laughs for all the family.
Sam and Mark
The Place Theatre are hosting shows to entertain both little and big people. Bird’s Nest Billy is suitable for age 3-7 (and their grown ups) and is a story of brothers Billy and Bo who both have big hair. One day Bo starts school and Billy has no-one to play with. Suddenly a magical bird chirps out of his curly, birds nest hair. The bird grants him three wishes.
Journey to the Impossible is from 28th the 31st May with the is a special #dramasinpyjamas special. The year is 1982, and three kids are in trouble. Bored one day, they try to get into their uncles mysterious attic and suddenly find themselves opening a door onto a parallel dimension: the city of Vernopolis, where no one has fun anymore. By means of Dip Dabs, walkie talkies and magical bandanas, youll be taken with them through the Improbable and the Unlikely, via the Intriguing and the Unethical, all the way back to where you started – not much older, hardly any wiser, but glad you went. This production is suitable for ages 8-12 and their families.
Over at the Forest of Marston Vale there are a whole host of activities for all the family, and whilst you are there you can explore some of the 61 square miles of forest. Don’t forget you need to pay to park however if you become a friend of the forest you get free parking as well as many other incentives
Frogs, Newts and Pond Dipping
Sun 26th May, 2.30 – 4.30pm
Discover the amazing world of frogs and newts with Marcus and Susan from Bedfordshire Reptile and Amphibian Group.
Bird Breeding Cycles and Song Talk
Mon 27th May, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Peter Holden looks at the wonderful world of birds, looking closely at local bird life, and unravelling some of their mysteries, and little known facts that will help us understand their impact on our environment.
Nesting Talk
Mon 27th May, 1.30 – 3.30pm
Creator of the RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch Peter Holden looks at the amazing variety of structures and the different strategies used to protect eggs and young.
Tree Walk
Tues 28th May, 11am – 12pm
Learn how to identify trees with Jo Roberts on this informative, guided walk around the Park.
Butterflies and Day-Flying Moths Talk and Walk
Tues 28th May, 2 – 4pm
Join the Bedfordshire County Moth Recorders on a guided walk to look for butterflies and day-flying moths and learn how to identify them.
Small Mammal Trapping Talk and Walk
Weds 29th May, 11.30am – 12.30pm
Resident mammal-recorders David and Diane show you how they setup small mammal traps around the Park and record all of the data.
Celebration of Birds Kids’ Crafts
Weds 29th May, Sessions at 9.45, 11am and 2pm.
We start with a walk through the Park, looking and listening out for birds, before a craft session in the woods to create rainbow birds and model nests out of natural materials. Find out some fascinating facts about our feathered friends, and get creative in the great outdoors.
Bumblebee Talk
Thurs 30th May, 11am – 12pm
The County Recorder for Bumblebees, Colin Carpenter, introduces us to this group of familiar and interesting bees.
Bug Walk
Thurs 30th May, 1 – 3pm
Join County Recorder Colin Carpenter for a family-friendly bug walk around the Park. We’ll be taking a closer look at the bugs and mini-beasts that play such an important role in nature.
Owl Pellet Autopsy
Fri 31st May, 10am -12pm
A drop in session to learn more about what owls eat and how they live with a fascinating look at owl pellets through microscopes.
Wildlife Art Walk
Fri 31st May, 1 – 3pm
Local artists and Senior Countryside Officer, Steve Halton, leads a walk around the Park to share his experiences of sketching animals and plants – bring your sketch book and pencils/paints as there’ll be lots of inspiration.
Night-Flying Moth Trapping event
Fri 31st May, 9pm – 12am
A fascinating evening with the Bedfordshire County Moth recorders and members of Beds Moth Group as they run moth traps and lights to see some of the species that can be found in the Park at night.
Tree Walk as Marston Vale
Become a Nature Detective at Stotfold Watermill and discover strange things at their nature reserve using the I-Spy sheets. Suitable for children aged 5-11 (accompanied by an adult). May 29th 10am to noon or 1.30pm-3.30pm
Make a splash this half term at Box End Park and treat the kids to an action packed watersports multi activity day.
They will get chance to try their 3 most exciting activities – kneeboarding, stand up paddle boarding, lake ninja and the amazing Aqua Park. A full day of action is only £39 including all the equipment and tuition. Participants must be aged 10 – 16 yrs and able to swim 50m.
Book now at www.boxendpark.com
Spy Detective Yoga (with a Blend of Science) Workshop, suitable for children age 5-12.
An experience like no other, The Prana Lab will be holding a fun filled workshop with a blend of science and yoga in a fun and relaxed environment. There will also a Witches and Wizards and Land of Dreams Mindful Yoga workshop.
Over at The Higgins they are celebrating National Children’s Gardening Week
Events for Young Children – each workshop has two sessions per day that start at 11am and 2pm and are not suitable for children under 3 years old.
Cress Craft – Tuesday 28 May £3
Decorate a wooden house and garden, then plant and grow your own mini salad.
Garden Caddy – Wednesday 29 May £3
Assemble and decorate a little wooden caddy for carrying hand tools and small plants around the garden.
Herb Planters – Friday 31 May £3
Make and decorate a self-watering planter.
Events for Young People- – All workshops start at 12:30pm, last an hour and are aimed at 12-16 year olds.
House and Garden – Tuesday 28 May £3
Create a mini-house and garden and plant your own salad.
Handy Caddy – Wednesday 29 May £3
Create a garden caddy, handy for garden tools or art stuff.
Planter People – Friday 31 May £3
Upcycle a plastic bottle and create a cute planter.
All workshops are bookable and can be booked in advance at The Higgins Bedford reception desk. They are currently unable to take bookings online or over the phone.
The Basement at The John Bunyan Museum is hosting family activities themed The Windrush; Seasons of Migration and Settlement.
Ships Portholes – Tuesday 28th May
Capture an underwater scene in mixed media
Welcome Flags – Wednesday 29th May
Transform fabric into an eye catching flag
Simple Sailing Boats – Thursday 30th May
Try out simple origami and decorate your vessel
Ocean Voyages – Friday 31st May
Explore collage to capture an imagined sea crossing
The Talking Statues is another way to have fun whilst in the town. You need a smartphone to swipe on the plaque by the statues to hear their stories – you can download a map here.
Step into A Whole New World with The Harpur Centre – Saturday 1 June 2019, 11.00am – 3.00pm
Visit The Harpur Centre for a FREE exclusive meet and greet with Aladdin and Princess Jasmine to hear their enchanting tales and pose for some super selfies! Plus, keep your eyes peeled for their competition announcement!
On 1st and 2nd June The Kite Festival returns to Russell Park with added Festival of Motoring.
These two festivals will sit alongside each other, each celebrating unique passions, and will feature: kite flying • family entertainment • funfair rides • special vehicle displays • iconic, bizarre, luxurious and classic cars and motorcycles • variety of trade including the popular craft marquee • tasty food & drink. This is a FREE event in the heart of Bedford and is suitable for all ages.
Bedford Borough Libraries have their usual great activities and as there’s so many of them, check them all here!
Loads of activities at the libraries
Riverside Tennis Club host holiday camps are for all ages and abilities [as they self proclaim – the stuff of legend in the town]. They create a fun and safe environment for kids in the holidays whilst learning the game and having a blast! After you drop them off, why not sample the delicious coffee from Fays Coffee.
In preparation for the Multi-cultural Parade on Saturday 29th June, take part in workshops to build a huge Octopus which will feature in the parade.
Artist Mandy Caldon will be running events throughout half term in Kempston, Elstow and Queens Park:
Tuesday 28th of May 2-4pm
Project 229- Oak Hall, 227-229 Bedford Rd, Kempston, Bedford MK42 8DA
Wednesday 29th May- 2-4pm
Christ The King Church, Parish Hall, Presbytery, Harrowden Rd, Bedford MK42 0SP
Thursday 30th May 2-4pm
Community centre, Guru Nanak Gurdwara, 84 Ford End Rd, Bedford MK40 4JX
Bring along washed plastic milk/juice cartons, plastic childs’ umbrellas, cardboard tubes, hula hoops, plastic good packets, tins, sweet wrappers, plastic bottle tops and chicken wire and help create the enormous sea creature.