Family days out
Green's Windmill & Science Centre
Green's Windmill & Science Centre
Green's Windmill & Science Centre
What is Green's Windmill?
Green's Windmill and Science Centre is a 19 Century restored windmill, museum and science learning centre. Entry to the grounds is free.
The interactive Science Centre tells the story of George Green, a mathematical genius whose work led to many modern day inventions.
Wollaton Hall and Deer Park
Green's Windmill & Science Centre
Green's Windmill & Science Centre
Spend the day at Wollaton Hall & Deer Park with all the activities on offer! There are walks around the Lake and playgrounds to explore.
Visit the ‘Discovering Dinosaurs’ Gallery exhibiting three dinosaurs: a full-sized Tyrannosaurus rex that is 12 meters in length, a Lufengosaurus,and an Oviraptor, plus three non-dinosaur specimens:
Plesiosaur, Ichthyosaur and Pteranodon, and many other specimens that help visitors understand the evolution of the Dinosaurs.
There is now a new Rover Ticket
covering Wollaton Hall, Nottingham Castle and Newstead Abbey.
Nottingham Castle
Green's Windmill & Science Centre
Lakeside Arts at Highfields Park
Adults: £15.60, Kids Go Free (15 yrs & under, 3 children per paid adult) Buy tickets
Step inside the Castle and Grounds for a single-purchase ticket that allows you to re-visit unlimited for 12 months on the Pay once, visit all year round ticket.
Discover the Museum & Galleries with Fine Art, Lace, Robin Hood, Nottingham Castle’s History and more.
There is now a new Rover Ticket
covering Wollaton Hall, Nottingham Castle and Newstead Abbey.
Lakeside Arts at Highfields Park
Lakeside Arts at Highfields Park
Lakeside Arts at Highfields Park
A perfect day for the whole family - with a boating lake, playground, adventure golf, gallery and theatre.
Newstead Abbey
Lakeside Arts at Highfields Park
National Justice Museum
Byron 200 is a varied programme of exhibitions, events and activities that celebrate the sensational life and legacy of Lord Byron through the year, focussed at Newstead Abbey, his inspirational home.
There is now a new Rover Ticket
covering Wollaton Hall, Nottingham Castle and Newstead Abbey.
National Justice Museum
Lakeside Arts at Highfields Park
National Justice Museum
Adults, £12.05 Children £9..65 (U5s free)
Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children £39.60
The National Justice Museum is a former Victorian courtroom, prison and police station. Visitors can explore the cells, exhibits and take part in immersive workshops and installations. It gives an insight into the history of crime and the law and helps visitors engage with contemporary issues of social justice. There are activities for families during holiday periods.
Pre-school - under 5s
Hoopla!
Fabric: Making Moves - Regular Sessions
Fabric: Making Moves - Regular Sessions
Dates and time ranging from 4 August 2026 - 15 August 2026
Locations: St Anns, Forest Rec, Aspley, Bulwell and Clipstone
Ages 0-4
Free - ticket booking required
Hoopla! is a free, family-friendly, outdoor mini-festival for children aged 0–4.
Join us for a day of fun activities, including puppetry, music, play, clay making, performance and art!
Are we in your area? Come along - bring an older sibling or a friend!
Note: The event takes place outdoors on grass. The ground may be uneven. The baby changing and feeding areas are outdoors but shielded.
Fabric: Making Moves - Regular Sessions
Fabric: Making Moves - Regular Sessions
Fabric: Making Moves - Regular Sessions
Thursdays, 10-11am
Restarts September 2026!
Fabric, Space 2, 2 Dakeyne St. NG3 2AR
£5 per family
Making Moves is a fun early years dance and movement sessions for 0-5 year olds and their grown-ups. An interactive creative space to nurture curiosity and imagination using music, stories, and sensory props to inspire movement and play.
These themed sessions are SEND-friendly and inclusive of all abilities. Feel the music, express yourself, and have fun in a welcoming space! Classes are led by Dance Artist, Tina Carter.
Circus Hub: Circus Tiddlers
Circus Hub: Circus Tiddlers
Circus Hub: Circus Tiddlers
Carers & babies, 6 weeks – 4 years (£10)
Occasional sessions, check the website for future dates.
Join circus, ariel play and exploration sessions with the Circus Hub & Rainbow Stripes. A sensory experience for babies and toddlers, using an ariel hammock and bright, colourful circus toys. Music, movement and songs, yoga and gentle ariel play for carers and under 5’s.
Book through Circus Hub website
National Literacy Trust
Circus Hub: Circus Tiddlers
Circus Hub: Circus Tiddlers
National Literacy Trust - Nottingham Hub
Find out more about the activities and resources available from the National Literacy Trusts's Nottingham hub.
Their city-wide initiative is supported by Nottingham City Council and Small Steps Big Changes, and is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
Regular Youth Theatre groups
Nottingham Playhouse: Theatre Groups
Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Groups
Infant Young Company Ages 5-7 yrs, Saturdays term time, 10am-11.15am
Junior Young Company Ages 8-11 yrs,
Saturdays term time, 11.45-1.15pm
Senior Young Company 12-16 yrs,
Mondays term time, 6pm-8pm
There are plenty of free bursary places available for each of these programmes. Email to find out more.
Music
Nottingham Music Hub: Ensembles
Nottingham Music Hub
Various days and times
All year round
Nottingham Music Hub has a wide array of different clubs and groups for young people to join.
With over a dozen different ensembles on offer, Nottingham Music Hub is the perfect place for an aspiring young musician to hone their craft, meet like minded people and nurture their creativity.
The Delightfully Disorderly Orchestra
Saturdays, 10.30am to 11.30am
Saturday 27 June to Saturday 1 August
Bulwell Riverside Library and St Ann’s Valley Library
Ages 3-11 with SEND
Free - ticket booking required
Calling all children aged 3-11 with SEND, come and join the Delightfully Disorderly Orchestra!
Children will collaborate with professional musicians to create their own instruments and compose music.
Led by our international team, these children will collaborate with our team to make their own instruments and compose 5 short orchestral works that will be performed live at our new online arts festival called 'SENsational Kids!' that showcases the talents of SEN children across the East Midlands.
Circle of Light 6
Circle of Light 6
Find out more about Circle of Light - an award winning grassroots creative community of young people who are using their skills and personal experiences to reimagine the future of the music industry. Funded by Youth Music, they bring together musicians and creatives to collaborate and make cool music, put on awesome events and support each other. With the support of industry professionals, Circle of Light are carving pathways that will make the music industry more accessible and more inclusive.
Art
Kev Sutherland’s Illustration Workshop
Friday 31st July
Wollaton Library or Nottingham - 10-12pm Central Library - 2-4pm
7+ years old
Tickets: £12 per person
Make a comic with Kev F from Marvel and Beano comics. Take away your comic strip and a caricature by Kev!
Kev F Sutherland has written and drawn for Beano, Doctor Who and Marvel comics, and now makes graphic novels adapted from Shakespeare. Now he'll teach you how easy it is. Whatever stories you want to tell, Kev can teach you how.
After the end of a Comic Art Masterclass, we all take away a comic containing a strip by everyone in the class plus an individual caricature by Kev F.
Learn everything he knows and get creative with comics!
After School Play Sessions with the Toy Library at Primary
Wednesdays, 3.30–5.30pm (during term-time)
Primary Playground
Free. Sign up to join the Toy Library on arrival.
Free weekly drop-in play sessions running on Wednesdays after school in term time. Join play workers for adventurous outdoor play, art, crafts, games and forest school activities.
These sessions are open to children and young people aged 5–13 years old. Younger children should be accompanied by a carer. Membership forms for the Toy Library must be completed for young people to stay and play. For more information, contact The Toy Library: 0115 9753898
Access Information
These sessions will take place outdoors, all areas have level access. See the Visit Us page and AccessAble for more information. In the event of rain, the sheltered area will be used - but sessions may be cancelled in extreme bad weather. Please contact admin@weareprimary.org with any questions or access needs.
Sherwood Young Artists
Times and days vary depending on age range, Ages 5 - 18
£6 per class
Sherwood Young Artists is an art school that runs weekly classes in Sherwood, Nottingham. The classes develop skills in a full range of different artistic materials and techniques, to complete Explore, Bronze, Silver and Gold Arts Awards.
Plus there are lots of opportunities for young people to become Arts leaders, creating exhibitions for 'Sherwood Art Week', 'Nottingham Light Night', and 'The Hartley Creatives'.
Abstract Broad Marsh Creative Workshop
Abstract Broad Marsh Creative Workshop
Saturday 4th July - 10:30am - 12:30pm or 13:00pm - 15:00pm
All ages
Nottingham Central Library, 1 Carrington Street, NG1 7FH
Free Tickets
Join mural artist Natalie Coe for a hands-on creative workshop inspired by her upcoming Broad Marsh mural.
Discover how Natalie develops her abstract artworks by exploring colour, shape, texture and composition before creating your own collage in response to your memories, experiences and impressions of Broad Marsh.
Suitable for all ages and abilities, this relaxed workshop offers a chance to meet the artist, learn about her creative process and share your own perspective on one of Nottingham’s most changing places. All materials provided.
The Broad Marsh mural project was commissioned by Homes England. It is produced by City Arts and Art Fest.
Ticket Information
There are two sessions during the day, 10:30am – 12:30pm and 1pm – 3pm. Select your preferred time slot when you book.
Water Spirit Creative Costume Workshop
Abstract Broad Marsh Creative Workshop
Water Spirit Creative Costume Workshop
Sunday 5th July - 11:00am - 2:00pm
All ages
IMPACD CIC, The Greenway Centre, Sneinton
Free
Get ready to dive into summer with IMPACD CIC! We are throwing open the doors to The Greenway Centre for fun-packed, free creative workshops—and we need your imagination to bring our spectacular "Water Spirits" to life.
Together, we’ll be crafting incredible water-themed costumes, headpieces, and props. The items we make will be proudly worn by our amazing parade troupe, kicking off at the Sneinton Festival on Saturday 11th July, before hitting major summer stages across the city, including Notts Pride (25th July) and the legendary Nottingham Carnival (16th August)!
No experience is necessary, and absolutely everyone is welcome!
Wild Wonder Art Exhibition
Abstract Broad Marsh Creative Workshop
Water Spirit Creative Costume Workshop
Tuesday 21st July - 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 22nd July - 2:30pm - 6pm
Thursday 23rd July - 10am - 12:15pm
Digital Art and Design Building, NTU, Shakespeare Street
All ages.
Free
The Nottingham Schools Trust Art Network member schools have worked in partnership with NTU to produce Wild Wonder, a free arts exhibition!
14 Nottingham Primary Schools are exhibiting work based on nature. This collaborative project encourages pupil's thoughts and feelings about the natural world, the study of shapes and colours found in nature and to produce their own paintings of birds, insects, animals, trees and plants. There will be 600 paintings produced and shown at this exhibition.
Everyone is welcome to come along!
Creative Writing, Reading and Literature
My Storytelling Scrapbook
Writing East Midlands: Nottingham Young Writers
Nottingham City Libraries for Families
Nursery/Primary
Sit with your child and explore your culture and experiences together with My Storytelling Scrapbook. Encourage your child to draw pictures, stick in photos and write about the special people in their life. This resource is a perfect opportunity to get them thinking about who they are, reflecting on the world around them while developing their speaking, reading and writing skills. My Storytelling Scrapbook encourages you to share stories, memories, and experiences with your children, and promotes a love of reading and regional voices.
Nottingham City Libraries for Families
Writing East Midlands: Nottingham Young Writers
Nottingham City Libraries for Families
All ages
Nottingham City Libraries have a wealth ofresources and activities for children and their families. The Libraries website makes it easy to find information about libraries, resources, book recommendations, events and more. Whether you are looking for stories and rhymes for little ones, code clubs, after school home work sessions or holiday activities, it’s all covered. You can find out more by signing up to our e-newsletter on the webpage.
Writing East Midlands: Nottingham Young Writers
Writing East Midlands: Nottingham Young Writers
Ages 9-17 years
Free, action-packed monthly creative writing workshops for budding young authors and poets aged 10-17.
Writing East Midlands young writers’ groups are fun, friendly and full of like-minded writers. They meet monthly, receive support and guidance, enter (and win) competitions, take part in literary events, and make friends with lots of other writerly types.
Read to the Beat - Summer Reading Challenge 2026
Saturday 4th July - Saturday 5th September
Nottingham City Libraries
All ages
Free
The Summer Reading Challenge returns this year with the theme Read to the Beat, encouraging children to discover the links between stories and music!
Children can sign up at their local library, complete six reading goals and collect rewards as they go. Everyone who completes the challenge receives a medal and certificate, making it a fantastic way to keep reading over the summer holidays.
Summer Book Giveaway
Throughout Summer Holidays
Nottingham City Libraries
All ages
Free
Throughout the summer holidays, Literacy Champions will be hiding special postcards in everyday places across the city - from bus stops and playgrounds to community centres and local landmarks. Each postcard is a golden ticket!
If your family finds one, take it to any participating Nottingham City library and choose a free book to take home and keep. It couldn't be simpler!
And to celebrate the National Year of Reading, this year we'll have books for adults to take home too!
Big City Reads 2026
Monday 29th June - Wednesday 12th August
Around the City and Wider County
All ages
Get ready for the return of Big City Reads!
Now in its fourth year, the free book giveaway campaign features five compelling Young Adult titles which selected by our Youth Selection Panel from a shortlist of 14 books submitted by both large and independent publishers. Centred on the theme of Identity, this year’s selected titles will give readers the opportunity to engage in a city-wide shared reading experience.
With 2250 free books being distributed around the city - in transport, public venues and around local libraries - there’s plenty of opportunity to grab yours and enjoy a summer of reading fun!
Dance
Jump Start - Regular Sessions
Mondays, 4.15pm – 5.15pm (Term-time)
Fabric, iC4C, 2 Dakeyne St
Jump Start: 7-11 yrs
Restarts September 2026
Sessions £3/ or £1.50 (community offer ticket for those living in or attending primary schools in Sneinton or St Anns)
Jump Start provides creative dance experiences for children aged 7 to 11 (Key Stage 2) living in Nottingham and nurtures young people who have potential and ambition in dance.
Get Set
Fabric, iC4C, 2 Dakeyne St
Get Set: 11-16 yrs
Free monthly dance workshops
For young people who have little to no experience in dance or just want to develop their dance technique and creative skills further. Hosted by the Centre for Advanced Training sessions include contemporary dance techniques and creative skills, house, popping, locking and hip-hop dance styles.
Circus Hub - Youth Aerial Classes
Circus Hub - Youth Aerial Classes
Saturdays
Ages 7-11, 10am-11am
Ages 11-18, 11.15am- 12.15pm
£8
Sneinton Market
Learn aerial circus skills, such as trapeze, silks and aerial hoop. Suitable for beginners, open to everyone. Instructors are professional, trained aerial performers.
Workshops
Festival of Archaeology - Prehistoric Lives
Festival of Archaeology - Prehistoric Lives
Festival of Archaeology - Prehistoric Lives
Saturday 25th July - 12:00 - 3:30pm (drop in)
University of Nottingham Museum in the Learning Studio
7+ years old
FREE
Young visitors can take part in prehistoric-themed craft activities, including coil pot making – perfect for budding archaeologists.
Handle archaeological artefacts with York Archaeology’s finds officers. Try artefact photogrammetry and digital modelling with York Archaeology’s specialist and handle 3D-printed scale models of the real objects on display. The Finds Liaison Officer will also join us to show finds from the region.
Come along and get creative!
Free Skateboarding Coaching Sessions
Festival of Archaeology - Prehistoric Lives
Festival of Archaeology - Prehistoric Lives
Every Sunday from 2nd August - 30th August - 11:30-1:30pm
Pasture Road Skatepark, Stapleford, NG9 8GS
7+ years old
We’re pleased to announce our spring/summer programme of skateboard coaching events at Stapleford skatepark, in partnership with Broxtowe Borough Council.
Come along and drop in, whether you’ve never stepped on a skateboard before, or whether you’d like to learn new tricks with our team of talented skateboard coaches! Skateboards & helmets available to borrow.
Summer Schools 2026
A Very Victorian Summer
A Very Victorian Summer
Workshops span Mon 27 July - Tues 11 August
6-8, 8+, 9-18, 11-18 years old
Each workshop has its own time and cost, with bursaries and payment schemes available
This summer, Nottingham Playhouse has a host of activities that will give your young person the chance to get involved and put on a show!
Musical Theatre Summer School: Bugsy Malone: 3-7th August
10am – 6pm every day (except Fri 7 August ~ 12.30pm – 9.30pm)
For ages 9-13 (one week course), in the Neville Studio and Theatre - £230
Stage Combat Summer School: 4-5th August ~ 10am-4pm
For ages 11-18, in the Neville Studio - £135
Play in 3 Days: Pinocchio: 5-7th August ~ 10am start
For ages 6-8, in the Neville Studio and Company One - £105
Under the Sea: Multi-Sensory Workshop: Sat 8th August ~ 1pm-2:15pm. For ages 8+, £7 per child
Acting for Screen Summer School: 10-11 August ~ 10am-4pm
For ages 11-18, in Company One - £135
A Very Victorian Summer
A Very Victorian Summer
A Very Victorian Summer
Saturday 25th July - Sunday 30th August
National Justice Museum
All ages
Free
Join us for a very Victorian summer at The National Justice Museum, with a range of family-friendly and exciting creative workshops!
There’ll be different activities every day, all free and open to all ages.
All our free activities are included with your museum ticket.
Brierley’s Dark Museum: Monday – Sunday (10am-4:30pm)
Victorian Forensic Science: Monday – Sunday (10am-4:30pm)
Narrow Marsh Trail: Monday – Sunday (10am-4:30pm)
Work in Prison craft sessions: Tuesdays from 28/07/26 – 25/08/26 (11am-3:30pm)
Object Handling: Thursdays from 30/07/26 – 27/08/26 (11am-1pm)
Wellbeing
Empowering Your Young People
The Pythian Club
Monday-Friday after school, across Nottinghamshire.
The Pythian Club (TPC) offer a comprehensive timetable of after school activities taking place at venues across Nottinghamshire. TPC aspire to support the development of our young people by progressing them onto further initiatives such as a coaching opportunities, young leader’s academy, vocational courses and/or employment opportunities. For more details visit the website or email.
Base 51: Outburst
Ages 11-21 yrs, Wednesdays 4-7pm
Different locations, Free
Whether it’s with help understanding your new feelings or learning about LGBTQIA+ equality and sexual health OutBurst is a safe space to express yourself, make friends and join in with a wide range of activities, as well as getting access to 1-2-1 support and signposting to a wider range of LGBTQIA+ focused services.
Contact: outburst@base51.org.uk
Festivals
Clifton Arts Festival
Monday 21st September - Saturday 26th September
All ages
We're excited to be working in partnership with local schools and groups in Clifton on this year's Clifton Arts Festival!
Dates have been decided and plans are underway - so please get in touch with cathy.mahmood@ntu.ac.uk if you'd like to get involved! All ideas for intergenerational projects or school projects welcome.
CommuniTree Festival - Music in the Park
Sunday 9th August - 12-5pm (last admission by 4pm)
Wollaton Hall and Deer Park
All ages
Tickets from £2.35 - £5.50
CommuniTree Festival returns to Wollaton Hall & Deer Park for a day of global music, workshops, creativity and community. Join us in one of Nottingham’s most beautiful green spaces for live music, dance, family activities and hands-on workshops for all ages!
Come to listen, move, make, relax, connect and celebrate creativity, culture and community in the heart of Wollaton Park - or simply take a breather in our relaxed chill-out zone, perfect for a little festival time-out.
Young Creative Awards and Connecting Notts
Young Creative Awards 2027
ENTRIES for 2026 have now CLOSED
But don't worry, you can get involved next year!
There are 10 categories of awards and 3 age groups, 11-15; 16 - 18 and 19-24.
- Animation & Digital Media
- Creative Writing
- Dance
- Design & Architecture
- Fashion & Textiles
- Film
- Graphic Design
- Music
- Photography
- Visual Arts
Check out the online Masterclasses, brought to you by past Winners!
Connecting Notts - Youth Cultural Partnership
Connecting Notts (16-25 yrs)
Connecting Notts is Nottingham's Youth Cultural Partnership– a monthly networking group for young people age 16-25 involved in arts organisations and community groups across the city. Connecting Notts aims to increase opportunities for all young people (aged 16-25) to connect, create and find support.
Find out more at www.connectingnotts.co.uk
Connecting with Nature
Nottingham Parks & Open Spaces
Outdoor Activity
There are lots of exciting events from mini-beast hunts to well-being walks this Spring to enjoy Nottingham’s beautiful parks. Many of them are free. There are green spaces across the city with activities and events over the year.
Get back to nature and feel better in the sunshine.
Find out about all Parks events
Drop-in Gardening Sessions
Fridays from 17th April - 24th September, 12-2pm
All ages
Primary Playground (33 Seely Road, Nottingham, NG7 1NU)
Free weekly gardening sessions are back every Friday!
Join us for gardening activities and relax in a friendly, informal social space. Learn more about growing vegetables, fruit, flowers and dye plants and gardening in urban areas.
All ages welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult.
Refreshments provided.
Everything Else
Community Recording Studio: Youth Sessions
Ages 12-17 Fridays, 5-7pm. Ages 8-11 Wednesdays, 5-7pm
Lowdham Street, NG3 2DP
Join in with Football, Table Tennis, Basketball, Pool, Music and Board Games.
Find out more on the CRS website!
Travel info
Plan your journey
NCT offers a Grouprider ticket which covers up to 5 people for £9. (There has to be at least 1 adult, aged 19 or over, and no more than two adults.)
NET trams also have a Group ticket for 1 or 2 adults and up to 3 children for £12.00, weekends and Monday to Friday, after 4pm. Check out all the ways you can get about in Nottingham.
