Tues 25 - Fri 28 July 2017

The summer holidays are looking up – children and families have got lots of creative fun and activities to enjoy at The Lightbox this year, many of which are free! Following the success of the first Summer Family Fun Festival last year, the action-packed week returns to The Lightbox for the first week of the summer holidays.

Drop-in Family Workshops

Activities are suitable for children aged 4+, but all ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. All materials included. Please note that you may have to wait if the Education Studio is full.

Balloon Modelling

After proving a hit at last year’s Summer Family Fun Festival, Grahame the Balloon Modeller will be back in our courtyard for one morning only transforming simple balloons into fantastical creatures and objects.

Tues 25 July | Drop-in anytime from 11.00am – 1.00pm
Free entry | Suggested Donation £2

Mermaids and Mermen

Start the day by joining the fish underwater in this Mermaids and Mermen inspired drop-in, using a variety of materials to create a shimmering sea for our Pirates and Mermaids Day.

Wed 26 July | Drop-in anytime from 11.00am – 1.00pm
Free entry | Suggested Donation £2

Pirate Hats

Arrrr, Matey, turn yourself into a pirate to continue our Pirates and Mermaids Day, by making your own pirate hat from paper and recycled materials.

Wed 26 July | Drop-in anytime from 1.30pm – 4.00pm
Free entry | Suggested Donation £2

Shetland Pony Petting

A pop up petting zoo will be set up in The Lightbox courtyard as two adorable miniature Shetland ponies come to visit. Visitors will be able to interact with and pet the friendly ponies, including stroking and brushing their manes.

This event has a capacity of 80, which will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. This is an outdoor activity, therefore in the event of very bad weather Pony Petting would be rescheduled.

Thurs 27 July | Drop-in anytime from 11.00am – 1.00pm
Free entry | Suggested Donation £2

Giant Garden Games

Join us for a morning of free giant garden games which include nostalgic classics such as snakes and ladders, Connect 4, KerPlunck, Jenga and hook-a-duck.

Please note you may have to wait if the games are busy.

Fri 28 July | Drop-in anytime from 10.30am – 1.00pm
Free entry | Suggested Donation £2

Bubble Fun and Face Paint Friday

Our popular expert face painter will be back in our courtyard to transform little faces into sparkly butterflies, superhero characters and friendly animals – all for free! Afterwards enjoy constructing a variety of bubble makers with us – learn how they work in our Courtyard and then test them out at home.

In the case of inclement weather face painting will take place indoors and an alternative workshop will take place in the Education Studio.

Please note you may have to wait if the face painter and bubble workshop is busy.

Fri 28 July | Drop-in anytime from 1.30pm – 4.00pm
Free entry | Suggested Donation £2

Bookable Workshops for Children & Young People

Advance booking required. All materials included, but please bring something to take your project home in. Children under 8 years must be accompanied by an adult. Please be prepared to help your child if necessary!

Make your own Paper Aquarium

Build your own paper underwater adventure to play with in your summer holidays.

Tues 25 July | 1.30pm – 3pm (4 – 8 year olds)
£8 per child | BOOK HERE

James Parsons – Comic Art

Join best-selling cartoonist and experienced comic art teacher James Parsons to learn secret drawing tricks used by the professionals. Make a 3D undersea pop-up comic world and create whatever you want – from magical mermaids to the zombies of Atlantis, mega-powered cyber-sharks or the ghosts of forgotten pirates... Awesome fun is guaranteed in this cartooning masterclass. All you need to bring is your imagination!

Thurs 27 July | £8 per child or young person 
1.00pm – 2.30pm (8 – 11 year olds) | BOOK HERE
3.00pm – 4.30pm (12 – 16 year olds) | BOOK HERE

Images: All © The Lightbox except: Charlie, Shetland Pony Petting © Kingswood Shetlands; Comic Art with James Parsons © The Artist