Things to do with the kids this summer

What to do with the kids this summer?  The eternal question for some... 

We've gathered together cool stuff to do as a family and have trawled the length and breadth of Derbyshire to bring you sunny day, rainy day, just-got-to-get-out-of-the-house days out with your offspring.

Summer Reading Challenge

Encourage your children to take up the Summer Reading Challenge at your library this summer. This year, children will be invited to take a giant leap to the final frontier - space!

Summer Reading ChallengeThe 2010 Summer Reading Challenge is Space Hop, highlighting books and reading for children via a cosmic travel theme. Space Hop will present intergalactic travel in an accessible comic book-style, created by Skulduggery Pleasant illustrator, Tom Percival.

Join in the challenge, starting on 17th July… so, prepare for blast off!

For further information contact:

Festivals

Summer of Festivals in Derbyshire

We've been covering The Summer of Festivals in Derbyshire in 2010's fantastic fun packed season.  Festivals are a great event for the whole family from the youngest babe in arms to the oldest of the old folk in your extended family.  Here are a few of the child-friendly things to do at the festivals around the County this summer.

  • The Gilbert & Sullivan Youth Festival also takes place in Buxton 26-30 July, introducing a younger audience to the delights of G&S! The Pirates of Penzance  (29 July) and HMS Pinafore (30 July)
  • The Buxton Puppet Festival runs 26-31 July, now in its 8th year and celebrating with a range of performances and workshops at a variety of locations around Buxton.
  • And if you love music and your children love music, then try out the Y Not Festival in Pikehall 30 July to 1 August.  There's a family camping area and lots to do for young ones in a small and intimate atmosphere.
  • Dronfield Festival for kids The Dronfield Music Festival 2010 takes place 8 August, and promises to be a family fun day out with lots to do for children. There is the range of fabulous music on offer to share with your children, or, failing that the bouncy castle, tombola stalls and face painting is sure to keep them amused.  Be sure to make some time to check out this intimate festival.
  • Moira Furnace Folk Festival is a family orientated folk festival and takes place 20-22 August in Moira.  The festival includes a grand opening night Céilidh, Children's entertainment, tractor and canal boat rides and Civil-war battle reenactments, as well as, of course loads of fantastic music acts.
  • Melbourne Festival  runs 10 to 25 September this year right across the town of  Melbourne.  Events for children include the Legal Graffiti Wall on 6 September for ages 14-24, a variety of jewellery, pottery, drawing and felt making workshops. Children will also be specially catered for with a special, safe area for young children with plenty to amuse them at Scallywags Private Day Nursery in Castle Street, there will be pottery demonstrations, and an Art Exhibition showing work from the local schools.
  • Wirksworth Festival's dates this year are 10-26 September and it celebrates a huge range of artforms with loads for children to do around the town.  
  • Derby Feste  is a free 3 day festival that promises to introduce you to an extravaganza of amazing and breathtaking experiences.  The Festival takes place 24 to 26 September in the streets of Derby City Centre.

Family events

Belper River Gardens

Belper River Gardens is host to lots of family fun this summer

Belper River Gardens has been reopened earlier this year after an extensive refurbishment of all its facilities. To celebrate its return, there is a series of live music events throughout the summer that are family-friendly - and failing all else, there are ducks to feed, a river front to promenade and a newly re-fitted playground.

Go along to Peak Rail's 1940's Weekend - 7th & 8th August - for true fun for all the family in Darley Dale (or Matlock if you are at the other end of the line!!).

Crich Tramway childrens eventsSummer Holiday children's craft activities at Crich Tramway Museum include badge and mask making, Tram Art and a Blackpool theme. And for the price of admission, if you can't persuade your children to partake of the craft activities, you can sit with them and ride up and down on the trams all day instead!! 

Craft activities are run every day Monday to Friday on these dates:

Your admission price on the day includes a free return to Crich Tramway Village within the next 12 months also!  Now, what reasons do you have to *not* go along?

The National Trust have a whole series of family fun events at all of their properties throughout the East Midlands.  A perfect excuse to get that family membership card out of the drawer to head along to one of the many children and family orientated events they are hosting this summer.  An excerpted list include:

Try the Summer Playground hosted by Derby QUAD.  Starting 4 August and running throughout August, there are free family creative activities suitable for anyone aged 3+,  No need to book, so just drop in.   Or you could try one their range of three day workshops:

The Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath have lots to do for children of all ages, and it's a great way of giving the whole family a good day out.  Apart from the displays of 'Heaven and Heath' and 'Fossil Factory', and the fact that you have to reach the venue via a cable car ride (very appealing to young boys of a certain age!!) between 12 July and 3 August, there are also daily Punch & Judy shows and on the 4th and 5th of September you can listen to the wondrous stories of Myths, Legends & Dragons by Derbyshire based storyteller Sophie Snell.  There's also a series of Brass Concerts at 1pm and 3pm on each of the following days:

Also in Matlock Bath and starting 4 September are the Matlock Bath Illuminations, which is true family fun.  Visit Derwent Gardens on Saturday and Sunday evenings from 7pm for family entertainment and 8pm for parade of Illuminated Boats. Clifftop firework displays at 9pm on 2, 16 and 30 October.

On 2 September the whole family can try South American Tin Engraving & Ojo de Dios .  Engrave & colour thin sheets of aluminium to make a card or picture and have a go at making Mexican “God’s Eyes” using wrapped wool & sticks, Chesterfield.

Music, singing and opera

Carnival Brass GroupA new Carnival Brass group is launching on the 21st of July at the Brunswick Pub in Derby for people aged 14 upwards.  Band leader is Brandon O'Neill who leads the Melbourne Town Band who will intorduce you to the  delights of funk, reggae and ska amongst other musical styles to get you in the carnival mood this summer!! Instruments are not provided, so suitable for young people who already play an instrument  to go along and get involved. 

  Derby Georgian Choir Also in Derby from the 25th of July is a new Choir group for those who are 16+.  The Derby Georgian Choir will meet every 4th Sunday of the month where you and your children can sing some amazing harmonies from Georgia and you can take part in an ancient singing tradition that is now classified as a World Heritage Artform!  

During August in Belper you can get your 'years 4-9' children to take part in Sing it! , a series of 4 workshops that encourage your children to join in vocal games, music and song.

Or in Buxton at the end of July is the Gilbert & Sullivan Youth Festival which runs ahead of the International Gilbert & Sulilvan Festival that starts on the 31st of July, where you can see productions by youth theatres of a selection of G&S gems, including:

The Beauty And The Beast arrives in town in late August. This well-loved Disney Musical is performed for the first time in Buxton, 25 to 28 August. 

Wish Upon A Star : a magical world of musical enchantment. Join the soloists, chorus, dancers and musicians of Present Company for an evening with old friends: Snow White, Pinocchio, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Aladdin, The Lion King, Mary Poppins and many, many more. 27 August

Romance Waddington, aka SoulFunkful , is a singer-songwriter who was born in Lusaka, Zambia and started signing in the church choir from the age of 13. She has been writing songs since the age of 15 and continues writing.  She appears at the Whitworth Centre in Darley Dale on 11 September.  Suitable for ages 14 years +.

 

Regular classes, groups and workshops

Hey Diddle Diddle Every Thursday, the Brampton Community Band meet in Chesterfield for an informal music session .  They welcome new musicians from the age of 11 to 111 to join them in playing lively folk music. 

Hey Diddle Diddle is an informal, relaxed and friendly music group/class for Babies, Toddlers and Pre-Schoolers. Songs, actions, movement, percussion, musical development and bubbles! Every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday in Chesterfield.

Dance and the performing arts

Try one of the Buxton Puppet Festival events such as Jack and the Beanstalk  on 28 July or Forest of Fables on 29 July.  Other events include:

  • Stories on a Shoestring , Follow the story of Little Peg Legs, who goes in search of a friend and a house that no wolf can blow down! On the way you may see a magic beanstalk grow, and meet a giant! You may see wishes granted, fish made out of plastic bags and little friends made out of rags! 27 July
  • Chicken Licken , where you can also meet childhood favourites Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky & Turkey Lurkey. 30 July

Or you can take your tribe to a traditional Céilidh  on 31 July in Derby - an evening event for everyone to enjoy! 

Wizard of Oz Summer SchoolMoving into August, we have the Wizard of Oz Musical Theatre Summer School that will be running as week-long courses during the summer holidays for 5-16 year olds. 

The first week-long course starts 2 August in Swadlincote and the second will take place week commencing 23 August.  There are 40 places for each summer school course and the sessions, that run 9.30am-3.30pm each day culminate in an 'end of week show'. 

So, get your children packed off down the yellow brick road this summer! 

Flhip Flhop - Everything Happens On The Break .  This crazy pair of painters escape the monotony of their dull jobs by taking refuge in hip-hop, MC-ing and beatbox, mixing it up but usually just ending up mixed up! Rannel’s must-see new show combines witty dialogue and intricate choreography to create an energetic and hilarious comedy for all ages.  Derby, 19 November

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Regular classes, groups and workshops

Twistin Tots

Twistin' Tots is a fun mix of songs, rhymes, actions and props to educate young children and keep them entertained.

In Darley Abbey you will find Tap Dancing classes for adults (anybody over 16 years of age is welcome) every Tuesday for fitness & fun - No examinations but opportunities for performance work.  Older children (and mums and dads too!) can join a belly dance class in Belper that runs every Thursday.

Dancebeats are dance classes around Derby for children aged 3-18 years old. Venues include Stepping Lane, Chellaston, Mickleover and Chaddesden and run every day of the week including Infant Ballet, Junior Tap and Senior Street and Disco styles.   

There are weekly dance and drama classes for all ages and levels at Bakewell School of Dance & Theatre Arts including - Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Street, Under 5s creative Dance, Drama.  Classes are held on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays

 

Theatre and storytelling 

A Little Princess is a wonderful story that is one of the most inspiring of all the children's classics. So, for some all-round family entertainment, then get yourself tickets for this production at Chesterfield's Pomegranate Theatre on 10 July.

On the 27th of July, Postman Pat returns to UK theatres as the newly promoted Head of the Special Delivery Service (or SDS) with his brand new show... A Very Royal Mission . There are two showings on 27 July, at 1pm and 3.30pm in Derby. Tickets from £10.

The Pomegranate Theatre in Chesterfield are running the Pomegranate Theatre Summer School from 31 August to 4 September where 10-16+ year olds can explore the lives of local people who have become famous throughout the centuries.  The workshops will culminate with a public performance devised by the participants.

Florence Nightingale  George Stephenson  Thomas Cook

Florence Nightingale, George Stephenson and Thomas Cook are all featuring in Pomegranate Theatre's Summer School this summer holiday.

Silver Linings Youth Theatre will also be running free summer workshops for young people aged 14-18 in the Derby area from 14-16 August.  Book your place on this series of workshop to secure a free place.

 As we leave the heat of high summer behind and move more towards autumnal days, or attentions are turned to theatre productions.

  • The Little Big Club is Live in Concert at the Buxton Opera House on 5 September.  Featuring Bob the Builder, Barney, Angelina Ballerina, Fireman Sam, Fifi Forget-Me-Not & Pingu live on stage in concert!
  • The Green Bottle Pirate and other Tales at Wirksworth Festival , 19 September.  An engaging set of short tales, both familiar and new, especially for 2-6 year olds. Join in and find out what happened next with tales about aspirational pirates, grumpy dragons and the 3 irrepressible billy goats gruff.
  • The Room on the Broom is known to many parents.  Take your young ones on a spellbinding new adventure from the creators of The Gruffalo.  At Buxton, 26-27 September.
  • Carrie’s War is the unforgettable story of one ordinary girl and her brother, packed off to the Welsh mining valleys at the start of war and living through extraordinary events. For children 7 years +, Carrie's War runs from 14-18 September
  • For older children is Lysistrata on 27 September.  A play written 2,400 years ago that is one of the world's first anti-war plays ever written.
  • Station Officer Steel, 'Sir' and Naughty Norman join Fireman Sam in Pontypandy Rocks ! Buxton, 2 October.
  • Jack and the Beanstalk is retold by the Storybox Theatre at Deda in Derby on 9 October.  Suitable for children 5 years and upwards, and those of you that are still young at heart, Jack will surprise and delight children and adults alike.
  • Twinkle Twonkle presented by Tall Stories comes to Derby for children from 3 years upwards on 7 November.
  • The Very Noisy Night presented by Blunderbus.  Little Mouse would feel a lot safer if he could come into Big Mouse’s bed, but Big Mouse is determined that Little Mouse should sleep alone! For children aged 4+ on 4 December 

Regular classes, groups and workshops

In Mickleover for young ones are the Theatre Kittens classes for 2-4 year olds. The 45 minute classes encourage your children to take part in singing songs, movement and rhythm, imagination building, playing with instruments, dressing up and story-telling through drama. The first session is free, so go along and check it out.

Theatreworks run performing arts classes for 3-17 years in Matlock every Saturday.  Classes are half an hour for the youngest students and 1 hour for those over 8.  There are also Roleplay Drama workshops for 5 to 11 year olds every Wednesday in Starkholmes near Matlock that help children to develop confidence and imagination.

Pyjama Drama provide young children with a drama programme that is fun, exciting, and which develops key social skills.  The first taster session is free, so get in touch for a class near you.

Derby Academy of Acting have Advanced acting classes for adults and young people between the ages of 11 and 18. Students become an acting pool for TV and film producers casting in the region, so get in touch if you want to take your acting one stage further!

Ilkeston Studio Players Rehearsals run weekly on Fridays in Ilkeston.  They're an amateur theatre company for adults and children exploring and developing drama and musical theatre performances.  SCART players are a Staveley based adult drama group (over 16s)  They meet every Tuesday for those wanting an opportunity to participate in drama.

 

Arts and Crafty Kids

Try a  Christmas rubber stamping workshop on 10 July in Horsley Woodhouse, near Heanor.  Accepting children aged 10+, this could be a fun activity to involve the whole family - and you will also manage to get all your Christmas cards produced early to boot!!  

Or, if you prefer, take part in one of the regular Cardmaking and papercrafts classes at the Sports Centre in  Heanor every Tuesday evening at 6pm. It costs £2.50 per hour which includes materials and refreshments.

Running for the first time this summer holiday in Hassop Station, near Bakewell is the Kids’ Arts Academy, which is a creative arts group for 4-12 year olds. Working in 2d and 3d,  it introduces children to new artistic techniques in each half-day session.

 

Regular classes, groups and workshops

Creation Station is big fun for little people. An award winning children’s creative arts and crafts activity for 1-5 year olds in Mickleover and Swadlincote every Tuesday during term-time, but also during the holidays.  There's a 'Buy one get on free' offer on the sessions and siblings go half price. 

For older children (16+) in Ilkeston, carving classes will give you a taste of the ancient craft of carving .  Various dates are available, so get in touch with the artist.

‘Handmade with love’ jewellery workshops in Tibshelf and surrounding areas introduce the use of different techniques in jewellery making and you get to take away what you make.  Get in touch with the artist to find out more about dates of courses.

 

If you would like your event, course or 'thing to do' to be included in this round up, let us know the web address of your artsderbyshire event and drop us a line to let us know about your course details dap@artsderbyshire.org.uk .

You can add your workshop or course as an event to the website for free here;

  


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