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Opportunities for Children and Young People outside school

On this page you'll find activities and workshops from our arts, culture and heritage partners in these categories:

  • Pre School
  • Drama
  • Music
  • Art
  • Creative Writing, Reading and Literature
  • Dance
  • Wellbeing
  • Everything Else

There’s also:

  • The ChalleNGe Creative Activities Pack


If you're aged 16-24 take a look at the Connecting Notts website.

ChalleNGe Newsletter

Here's the link to the latest Parents Newsletter covering the school holidays and new term.


Find out about events, workshops and classes for children and young people from Nottingham’s arts, cultural and heritage organisations straight to your inbox. Sign up to receive the bi-monthly newsletter below. Read the first issue here.

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For the School Holidays

Nottingham Art Club

NJM: Free Friday Workshops

Primary: Family Art Club

All ages. Venues across Nottingham city. Various dates.
Your opportunity to explore, create, connect as a family this summer! Try everything from street art to printing to sculpture! Come into Nottingham city centre and experience what our fabulous cultural venues have on offer. Whilst the kids have fun and develop skills, why not take time for yourself, and discover your new favourite coffee spot or eatery? From theatres, to galleries, step inside these awesome buildings and let them transport your family to a world of creativity and fun.

 

Nottingham Art Club aims to enhance family wellbeing and inspire Nottingham’s next generation of young creatives. 

Find activities here 

Primary: Family Art Club

NJM: Free Friday Workshops

Primary: Family Art Club

All Ages. Primary, 33 Seely Road, NG7 1NU. Wednesdays 17, 24 & 31 August, 2-4pm. Free.
Join artist Ismail Khokon during the summer holidays for a series of creative workshops. Make toys and sculptures, explore pattern and colour and get inspired by the garden. Each session you will make something you can take home. 

These sessions will take place outdoors at Primary, with shelter and refreshments provided. Some activities will be messy so please wear old clothes.

Open to children and young people based in Radford. Children 8 years old and under should be accompanied by a carer. Please note this activity is open access and not child care provision. 

For more information contact: rebecca@weareprimary.org

NJM: Free Friday Workshops

NJM: Free Friday Workshops

NJM: Free Friday Workshops

All ages. Free 

Storytelling Badge Making Workshop: 

5 August, 10am-12pm (SOLD OUT)
Join artist and storyteller Alison Solomon to explore how the badge has been used as a powerful and universal protest tool.
Soft Sculpture Making Workshop: 

12 August, 10am-12pm (SOLD OUT)
Make soft sculptural objects in response to beautiful ceramic chess pieces from the museum collection.
DIY Cardboard Speakers: 19 August, 10am-12pm. Free (SOLD OUT)
Join Dr Matthew Little and build your own portable amplifier!
Linoprint Protest Workshop: 26 August, 10am-12pm. Free. (SOLD OUT)
Join artist Alice Peake for a vibrant and fun lino print workshop. 

Summer Reading Challenge

Dance 4: Discover Dance Summer School

NJM: Free Friday Workshops

All ages. Throughout the school holidays. Free.
Nottingham City Libraries challenge every child to read six books and win rewards along the way and collect a medal and certificate if they complete the challenge. Children can sign up for free at their local library. There are lots of different activities for free, or a minimal charge, in every library every week throughout August! For more information please visit the website. 

Dance 4: Discover Dance Summer School

Dance 4: Discover Dance Summer School

Dance 4: Discover Dance Summer School

Ages 7-11. Tuesday 9 to Thursday 12 August, 9.15am – 3.45pm (lunch provided) £50 (£9 concessions)
An energetic and fun three-day summer school for children interested in dance, led by experienced professional dance artists, uisng games and creative dance sessions in world class studio facilities at iC4C. No previous dance experience is needed.
15 places for local children from St Ann’s and Sneinton have been reserved at a concession rate of £9 (£3 per day). Find out more. 

Free Fun and Food

Dance 4: Discover Dance Summer School

Dance 4: Discover Dance Summer School

Ages 6-16. Venues across Notingham. Free.
Free Fun and Food sessions includes Creative Arts, Multi-Sports and Multi-Skills and take place across many venues in the city. Children and young people who are eligible for free school meals will be able to access free activities and food provision throughout the summer. Find out more and book. 

City of Literature: Big City Reads

City of Literature: Big City Reads

City of Literature: Big City Reads

Ages 14 - 25. Until 12 August.
City-wide. Free Big City Reads is back! Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature are handing out FREE books across the city. Explore four titles championed by the city’s young people, inspiring Nottingham with the mood-boosting power of words. Find out more. 

Summer Family Activities

City of Literature: Big City Reads

City of Literature: Big City Reads

Nottingham Contemporary. Tue to Thu Until 25 August, 10am-12noon and 1-3pm. 

Please book a slot. 

Explore and share how play connects us, take over the space with gentle gestures of protest.

Find out more.

 


Nonsuch Studios: Fable Finders

City of Literature: Big City Reads

Nonsuch Studios: Fable Finders

Ages 6–11. 8-12 August or 15-19 August, 9am-3.30pm. £95.
Exploring drama and storytelling through a wide range of games and activities, building confidence, literary and imaginative skills. Find out more. 

Free Storytelling Packs

Freedom Foundation: Release Holiday Club

Nonsuch Studios: Fable Finders

Literacy Volunteers are offering a free storytelling pack containing books and activities to help support literacy, numeracy and language skills to children living in St Ann’s, Hyson Green, Bulwell and Aspley. To find out more email or phone 0115 876 5474. 

Notts Book Arts Competition 2022

Freedom Foundation: Release Holiday Club

Freedom Foundation: Release Holiday Club

Ages: 11-18. Free.
Young people can create a book using the instructions, and then show how creative they can be by adding pop-ups, windows or add a poster on the inside. To enter, photos of the book must be emailed by 31 August 2022. Winners will be announced on 11 September and then a prizegiving will be held at the exhibition opening on 24 September. 


For further details on how to enter, download the book template and watch the how-to video 

Freedom Foundation: Release Holiday Club

Freedom Foundation: Release Holiday Club

Freedom Foundation: Release Holiday Club

Ages 7–11. Various venues across the city. Free (for children in receipt of free school meals)
Release is a creative programme where children will learn how to write music and create a short performance over the course of a week. During the week they will be encouraged to express their emotions and creativity, develop skills in dance, singing and songwriting, be educated about the impact of social media and be involved in discussions around positive healthy usage. Book here. Or email info@freedomfoundationuk.org or call 0115 993 2370.


Bestwood: 8-11 August, 10am - 2pm
Bestwood Estate Community Centre, Gainsford Crescent, Bestwood, Nottingham NG5 5HT
Bulwell: 22-25 August, 10am - 2pm
Snapewood Community Centre, Snape Wood Road, Nottingham NG6 7GH 

Drama

New Art Exchange: YARD Young People's Theatre

New Art Exchange: YARD Young People's Theatre

New Art Exchange: YARD Young People's Theatre

Younger YARD Ages 8-12 years Tuesdays 4.15-6.15pm. Term Time. Free. Develop confidence, communication and creative skills through games, story-making, and drama exercises. As well as making new friends, they explore new ways to express themselves and share their own stories. Sessions are safe, fun and stimulate the senses!

Older YARD Ages 12-18 12-18. Wednesdays 5.15-7.15pm. Term Time. Free. Develop performance skills, explore different styles and devise their own work. Working closely and collaboratively they explore the issues that matter to them and develop their own style as performers and theatre-makers. They create exciting, thought-provoking, and original work..

FREE and open to all, we welcome new members, come along and try a session anytime. To find out more contact. 

Nottingham Playhouse: Theatre Groups

New Art Exchange: YARD Young People's Theatre

New Art Exchange: YARD Young People's Theatre

Places available this Autumn 2021 :

  • Infant Young Company for children aged 5-7 yrs old
  • Junior Young Company for children aged 8-11 years old. 
  • Senior Young Company for those aged 12-16 years old. 
  • Young Adults for the aged 16+

There are plenty of free bursary places available for each of these programmes. Email to find out more. 

Music

Nottingham Music Hub: Robin Hood Youth Orchestra (RHYO) 

Ages 11-19. Saturdays 9am-1pm, Nottingham City centre 

RHYO plays a diverse range of music from classical to film to jazz. For 11-19 year olds in Nottingham City who can play their instruments to around Grade 4+.  They rehearse once a week on Saturdays in the city centre (currently at the Nottingham Cathedral). The annual fee is £48 for pupils living within Nottingham City boundaries, £90 for pupils living in the county and £11 for young people eligible for pupil premium. For more information visit the NMH website.  


Nottingham Music Hub: RHYO InterConnect

A great place to meet new people, make friends and become a better musician. Young people get performance opportunities throughout the year and the chance to work with professional musicians.

Strings Folk Connect
For pupils who play the violin, viola and/or cello and can play around Grade 1+ Level. The group will meet once a week on Monday, 4.30-5.30pm.

Guitar Connect
For pupils who play the acoustic guitar at around Grade 1+ Level. The group will meet once a week on Wednesday, 4.30-5.30pm.
Salsa Jazz Connect
For pupils who play brass and woodwind instruments at around Grade 1+ Level. The group will meet once a week on Fridays, 4.30-5.30pm.

For young people living or studying in the city, the annual cost of joining any music hub ensemble will be £54 (£15 concessions). Please note that you only have to pay one annual fee but can be part of more than one Music Hub ensemble. For young people living AND studying in the county, please note that the annual cost of joining a music hub ensemble is £110. For more information visit the NMH website. 

Nottingham Music Hub: Robin Hood Young Voices

Ages 8-14. Wednesday, term-time, 4.00-4.55pm. Nottingham Playhouse
A new, fun and exciting vocal group that provides opportunities to learn from professional musicians through workshops, competitions and concerts. The group will have both online and live rehearsals. Enrol here.

Art

Nottingham Trent University: Saturday Art Club

Nottingham Trent University: Saturday Art Club

Nottingham Trent University: Saturday Art Club

Ages 13-16. Launching in November, Saturdays 10am-1pm, term-time. Free.
Members will try their hand at a variety of different art forms in our free weekly workshops and masterclasses with professional artists. With access to Nottingham Trent University’s excellent Art and Design facilities, they’ll make new friends, and have the opportunity to exhibit their artwork nationally! The club also looks great on their CV if they decide to apply to college or university later on. The club is run in partnership with Nottingham Trent University and the National Saturday Club. To find out more please email. 


Open Call: 1525 Collective New Members

Nottingham Trent University: Saturday Art Club

Nottingham Trent University: Saturday Art Club

Ages 15-25. Nottingham Contemporary
1525 Collective are looking for new members to join them. 1525, are a group of young creatives who gather regularly at Nottingham Contemporary. They strive to be a proactive collective sharing resources, discussing ideas, and mutually supporting each other’s creative interests. More information can be found on the website.  

Nottingham Contemporary: Family Activities

Nottingham Contemporary: Family Activities

Nottingham Contemporary: Family Activities

All ages. Play and Learn: In Gallery, at Home, and Outside! Join the family workshops at Nottingham Contemporary or enjoy the activities on the website to keep you busy at home and outside. You can use objects from around the home and for others you might need a few art materials. Free material packs are available for collection from the reception in Nottingham Contemporary, or they can post them out to you! Please email for free material packs. 

New Art Exchange: Saturday Art Club

Nottingham Contemporary: Family Activities

Nottingham Contemporary: Family Activities

Ages 4–11 bi-weekly, Saturdays, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Free.
Kikstart your Saturdays with these free, bi-weekly creative workshops. Make time for creative learning and having fun, the perfect opportunity to get creative as a family!


Find out more.


Creative Writing and Literature

Fair Play: A six part postcard adventure for children and families

Fair Play: A six part postcard adventure for children and families

Fair Play: A six part postcard adventure for children and families

Ages 5-11
When puzzling postcards start arriving through your letterbox asking for help, only you can crack the code and figure out who the mystery writer is. Following a successful postcard drama format, New Perspectives' latest series, Fair Play, is a six-part postcard adventure for families with children aged 5-11 to enjoy together. Plus there's a QR code on each postcard to download with an activity sheet to explore a variety of creative challenges. For more details and book please email. 

Nottingham City Libraries for Families

Fair Play: A six part postcard adventure for children and families

Fair Play: A six part postcard adventure for children and families

All ages.

Nottingham City Libraries have a wealth of resources and activities for children and their families. The brand new 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. 

Read On Nottingham: Phonics Explained

In response to parents and carers asking for information on Phonics, Read On Nottingham volunteer Literacy Champions, Mehnaz and Dee, have recorded a video showing how to make the sounds that children are learning at school. Please share the video with any parents and carers that might find it useful. 

Dance

Little Movers - Dance4
Ages 0-5. Two Fridays per month, 10-11am, online via zoom
Join Oksana Tyminska for Little Movers fun, creative movement sessions for 0 to 5 year olds and their adults. Booking is essential. Visit the website to find out more.
 

Jump Start – Dance4
Ages 7-11. 4.15pm – 5.15pm each Monday during term time.
Creative dance experiences to enthuse and excite children to get involved in dance and develop new skills. Cost per session is £3/£1.50 (concessions for those living in or attending primary schools in Sneinton and St Ann’s). Find out more on the website.

Wellbeing

Empowering Your Young People

Empowering Your Young People

Empowering Your Young People

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. 

Creating Connections

Empowering Your Young People

Empowering Your Young People

Ages 8+

The Creating Connections learning activities have been designed by NAE Associate Artists Shamila Chady and Elaine Winter for use at home or school. Creating Connections is designed to help young people make positive connections with others their age where there is a feeling of disconnection due to cultural and other differences. Download the activity pack. 

Base 51: Outburst

Base 51: Youth Project

Base 51: Youth Project

Ages 11-14 Saturdays and 15-19 Wednesdays at Base 51
LGBTQ+ group - a safe space for young people to express themselves and make friends and join in with a wide range of activities. Book spaces through the Base51 website. 

Base 51: Youth Project

Base 51: Youth Project

Base 51: Youth Project

Ages 11-25. open Monday-Friday, 3.30-8pm, Saturday 1-3pm.
Base 51 is a safe and welcoming place for Nottingham's Young People. Facilities include a gym, a dance studio, kitchen, bouldering wall, table tennis, computers, games, arts and crafts and much more. They also run LGBTQIA+ youth groups, a young women’s group, podcast sessions, young leaders program, art sessions and many other youth projects. One-to-one support as well as a counselling service and C-Card pick up are also offered. Find out more on the website.   

Everything Else

The Change Makers Initiative

New Art Exchange: YOUnique Producers

New Art Exchange: YOUnique Producers

 The Change Makers Initiative in partnership with The Burns Price Foundation supports young people under the age of 19 from across the UK, with grants of £100 each to work on grass roots level ideas with art and science at the core of the social action project. Find out more on the website. 

New Art Exchange: YOUnique Producers

New Art Exchange: YOUnique Producers

New Art Exchange: YOUnique Producers

Ages 14 years+ first Thursday of each month 5pm-6.30pm. Free.
An exciting arts and activism programme organised by, and for, young people. Be part of a small and dedicated team and learn all aspects of event production. You will produce events and opportunities you want to see for young people in your city. All specialist skills and training are provided. To get involved or find out more please email. 

Broadway: For ages 16-25

Community Recording Studio: Youth Sessions

Community Recording Studio: Youth Sessions

Broadway: BFI Film Academy activity for 16-25's Illustrated talks for 16-25s exploring the world of film, followed by a film screening.  Find out more about the Midday Movie Masterclass + Screening season.

Broadway: Monthly Ticket Tombola Broadway invites film lovers aged 16-25 to enter the monthly Ticket Tombola to see a film and Q&A for free. Enter at Ticket Tombola.

Community Recording Studio: Youth Sessions

Community Recording Studio: Youth Sessions

Community Recording Studio: Youth Sessions

Ages 12-17 Fridays, 5-7pm. Ages 8-11 Wednesdays, 5-7pm.

Join in with Football, Table Tennis, Basketball, Pool, Music and Board Games. Find out more on the CRS website.

Pre School

Small Steps Big Changes: Ideas Fund

Free. The Small Steps Big Changes (SSBC) Ideas Fund offers local community groups and organisations funding to test new and existing ideas for expectant parents and children aged 0-4 years in SSBC wards (Aspley, Bulwell, Hyson Green, St Ann’s and Arboretum) to grow happy, healthy and confident! Find out more about joining in with the groups and the Ideas Fund. All sessions are free for residents of the named areas. 

•    City Arts: Early Years Family Festival 

•    Education FC: Grow Together 

•    Freedom Foundation: Funky Tots  

•    Ignite Futures: Curious Tots 

•    Makers of Imaginary Worlds: Outdoor Adventures - an exploration of nature, arts and wellbeing 

•    Shifting Your Mindset: Nurturing Fatherhood Project 

•    Sisters of Noor: Boogie Mites 

•    Windmill Community Gardens: Outdoor Fun for the Under 4's 

•    The Toy Library: Twigglets 

•    St Ann’s Allotment: New Shoots 

•    Framework: Pregnancy Yoga 

•    Literacy Volunteer’s: Learning to Love Books 

•    Belong Nottingham: For Pre and Ante-natal ESOL for migrant mums  

Find out more about all the projects.

Free Parenting App for Nottingham Families

Ages: 0-5. Free.
Download the EasyPeasy app today and get thousands of tips and activities to try with your 0-5 year old! Parents can enter the age of their child and topics of interest to get content tailored to their needs and tackle specific problem areas. For more information and to download, visit the Small Steps Big Changes (SSBC) website. 

Things To Do for Children and Young People

The ChalleNGe Activities Pack

We're pleased to bring you the second edition of our free creative activities pack designed for Nottingham’s children and young people. It’s filled with over 40 engaging and fun activities created by 20 of Nottingham’s arts organisations. Read the online version here on issuu or download the pdf here - with all the embedded hyperlinks to videos, music and further activity sheets or download the PDF Print version (without embedded links). 

Creative Activities

 Take part in creative online tutorials and workshops, just for fun or to learn a new skill. Make sure to share your creations on social media and use #challengenottm and we'll share them on our social media 

Read More

Enjoy Reading, Audio Books, Poetry, Drama and Creative Writing

Here's a great list of free literary activities, downloadable books and read-alouds by famous authors.   

Read More

Dance, Fitness and Wellbeing Activities

Dance and Fitness are a great way to improve physical and mental health. Here's a selection of activities for children to try at home.   

Read More

Music - lessons and live performances

Learn how to play an instruments or enjoy performances by local artists, all from the comfort of your own home. 

Read More

Enjoy Gardening and Nature

Get out into the garden or stay indoors to learn about nature and gardening.  

Read More

Just for Fun!

Lots of fun activities to try from learning how to Body Beat or learn sign language to Family Kitchen Raves. 

Read More

Local and National History

Lots of fun historical activities to try. 

Read More

Fun with Science and Maths

Fun activities covering everything from weather maps to engineering.

Read More

Virtual Museums and Art Galleries

Take the opportunity to visit galleries and exhibitions in Nottingham and around the world from the comfort of your own home. 

Read More

Download your Creatives Activities Pack

 The second edition of the ChalleNGe Nottingham Activities Pack is filled with over 40 engaging and fun activities created by 20 of Nottingham’s arts organisations.  


Read online or download the pdf with embedded links to videos, music and more. 

Accompanying teachers notes are available to support curriculum planning.  

Download Print version 


The activities can be enjoyed in small groups, with family, friends or in the classroom or individually at home. We hope you find ideas that inspire you! 


 

Download the ChalleNGe Nottingham Activity Pack PDF

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