THERE is plenty to choose from when it comes to activities for children and families during the summer holidays.
For activities, based on nature, landscape and heritage, the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and UNESCO Global Geopark are running a range of events funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
In Barnard Castle, The Bowes Museum is offering a packed programme of creative and inspirational fun, with the promise of always something great to see or do, from family friendly themed tours to artist-led workshops and opportunities to get active in the parkland.
It’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the seaside on the museum’s new interactive Family Story Tours with musical instruments and puppets every Monday, Tuesday and Friday of the school holidays.
Artist makers sessions take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays where visitors can get creative. Stay and Play continues throughout the holidays for the museum’s younger audiences, with time for under fives to explore and play in the galleries in these self-led, free play ssessions.
Meanwhile, 11 to 18-year-olds can delve into the art world in Young Creatives, free, artist-led workshops on the first two Saturdays each month.
Visitors can explore the museum with spotting and drawing activities, discover the parkland with specially designed Play Trail and get creative with materials around them or, if they fancy burning off some energy, they can borrow games from reception to play in the grounds.
The museum is open every day 10am to 5pm. Under 18s and full time students are admitted free. There is free admission to Cafe Bowes and the museum shop. More information on the website: thebowesmuseum.org.uk
Wild Wednesdays are back at Bowlees Visitor Centre, in upper Teesdale. The AONB Partnership’s holiday activity programme is a chance to explore the AONB and Geopark with hands-on fun for ages five to 12.
Themes include mining the past, with a look at how lead mines were built and used, and seeds of summer – collecting seeds from hay meadows. Each session costs £3 per child. Booking: https://bit.ly/ WildWeds23
Under-fives have their own nature-based activity sessions with Bowlees Explorers every Thursday. For £1 per child, parents and children can spend a morning with the team at Bowlees Visitor Centre, exploring the outdoors and getting to know the plants, creatures, rocks and rivers.
Geology projects officer, Naomi Foster, said: “Bowlees Explorers sessions are a chance for our youngest visitors to spend time in the outdoors in a fun and relaxed way. We will have a different focus each week, with themes ranging from rivers and streams, to the rocks and soils beneath our feet, and the trees in the woodland around Bowlees. Explorers will need wellies and waterproofs, and hopefully sun hats, as we’ll be enjoying the outdoors whatever the weather.”
Booking details, see https://bit.ly/BowleesUnd
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Join Altogether Archaeology at a dig in the Gueswick Hills near Cotherstone on August 22, 23 and 24. Children from seven to 16, can help investigate an Iron Age settlement. Previous finds from the area include a paved surface and a brooch from the 4th century.
All North Pennines AONB Partnership events can be found at the website: north
pennines.org.uk/events
On August 19 and 20 there is a relaxed daytime and one night camp-out at Into The Woods, Glassonby, Cumbria.
This small, environmentally friendly event is located in a dark skies area where you can listen, make, enjoy live performance, music and workshops.
Join artists for live performances and workshops on the campsite, in St Michael and All Angels Church next door, and a 15-minute walk away at Long Meg and Her Daughters Neolithic stone circle for a special sunset performance. Details from northpennines.org.uk/event/fellfoot-sounds/
In Darlington, the Hippodrome has a host of creative workshops and classic films on show this summer.
From Wednesday, August 2, to Saturday, August 5 at 10.30am and 1.30pm enjoy a screening of some classic family films, including Encanto, Trolls, Peter Rabbit 2 and Paddington.
Youth theatre taster day takes place on Friday, August 4. The Hippodrome’s experienced tutor team are offering two workshops at 1pm to 3pm for ages seven to 10, and 3pm to 5pm for ages 10 to 13.
Curious Crafts with artist Abigail Lagden happens on Thursday, August 10. Abigail is holding three workshops, including Dragon Eggs (seven years-plus), Magic Wands (seven years-plus) and Fabric Sculpting (adults).
On Saturday, August 12, textiles designer Jessica Grady hosts a workshop to create a stitched mini mandala (eight years-plus) and a doodle stitching workshop for adults.
Create a sterling silver ring or a set of three stacking rings in a family-friendly workshop at 2pm on August 24.
Budding set designers or those who love to build, can Make Your Own Theatre Set on Tuesday, August 29 at 11am. In this special workshop led by theatre technician, Poppy, you’ll build your own theatre set design box. Follow the process of professional set designers and let your imagination run wild.
To book, or for more information, call 01325 405405 or visit darlingtonhippodrome.
co.uk.
Killhope Lead Mining Museum has a programme of events including theatre performances and science demonstrations.
The Durham County Council-run attraction in the North Pennines is free to enter and open seven days a week from 10am to 4.30pm.
Tours of the old mine are available every day, and there is also a gift shop and cafe.
Leather workshops take place on August 6 and 20. Free theatre performances which go back in time to tell the tale of life in the mines happen on August 2, 9, 16 and 23.
Science lovers will enjoy demonstrations which uncover the history of the planet with geologist The Rock Showman on August 15, 16 and 17.
For more details about the activities available at Killhope, visit killhope.org.uk.
