FROM bird-watching to exploring the wonders of space, there’s plenty of half-term fun in Bradford this week.
Here are some family-friendly events in the district:
* Bradford Industrial Museum, Bolling Hall and Cliffe Castle: Youngsters are invited to unleash their creativity in art workshops, a cosmic play sensory experience and messy play. Learn how to build a Scout Den at Bradford Industrial Museum today, 11am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm. Investigate the wonderful wildlife at Cliffe Castle Museum and Park in Keighley as part of the Twitchers Museum Adventure, organised by Kids in Museums and Walker Books. The national family trail celebrates the release of Feather, the latest book in the Twitchers Series from bestselling children’s author MG Leonard. Join birdwatching detectives the Twitchers and explore the birds and animals at Cliffe Castle Museum. Pick up a free activity sheet to join in and have a hoot with the family. The activity runs until February 25.
There’s also a chance to enter a prize draw competition to win one of five bundles of all four books in the Twitchers Series. Kids in Museums is inviting children to design their own bird or animal sidekick and share their drawing on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #TwitchersMuseumAdventure. Tag @kidsinmuseums for a chance to win.
* East Riddlesden Hall: Family fun events are encouraging mindfulness in nature. Youngsters are invited to find shapes in the clouds and hear the birds sing. There are activities in the grounds and space to “draw what makes you happy” in the discovery room. Free entry for under-fives.
* Megavalue Funfair at Forster Square, until February 17: Rides and attractions includes ExtremTagada, waltzer, Danceland, dodgems, ski jump, fun house, safari train, mini planes and trampolines. There are also games, stalls - and a chance to “meet the dinosaurs”.
* The National Science and Media Museum is on the road with free family activities in shopping centres and community centres. Explore the wonders of space with shows, stalls and hands-on activities:
Today: Planetarium at The Thornbury Centre, Leeds Old Road, 10am-4pm; Tomorrow: Exploring Space Show at Oastler Market, 10am-4pm; Thursday: Planetarium at The Broadway Bradford, 10am-4pm.
* Story-time at City Library, Centenary Square, 10am-12noon: Join best-selling author and illustrator Kate Pankhurst for a session fizzing with space facts, female pioneers of STEM and space travel, dressing up and drawing.
Meet young astronaut in training Luna Scope - shining star of Kate’s latest book, We Are All Astronauts. Dive into the Milky Way with Luna as she discovers exactly what it takes to become a space explorer. Kate Pankhurst will be leading We Are All Astronauts drop-in story-time sessions at City Library on Thursday, 10am-10.34am and 11am-11.45am and Friday, 10am-11.45am.
* DeNada Dance in association with Bradford Libraries presents a free screening of dance theatre film The Bull & The Moon at Manningham, Shipley and Keighley Libraries. The film is the story of Lolo, a little bull who is scared of fighting and dreams of becoming a dancer. The event includes a children’s dance workshop. Screenings are: Today: Manningham Library, 10am-11.15am; Thursday, 10am-11.15am and 2pm-3.15pm.
* Keighley and Worth Valley Railway: Passenger services are running on selected days over half-term, with a mixture of steam engines and heritage diesels. Bring the family - dogs are welcome too - for a steam adventure through the Worth Valley. In the Exhibition Shed there’s a display of vintage coaches, historic engines and memorabilia.
* Bradford Cathedral: There are free family fun sessions today from 10am-12noon and 1pm-3pm. Says Maggie Myers, the Cathedral’s Director of Education and Visitors: “We’ll be welcoming in the spring with craft activities involving nature, flowers and woodland creatures. There are family-friendly tours of the Cathedral at 11am and 2pm and quizzes and trails.” Booking is advised at bradfordcathedral.org.uk/featured-events
* Youngsters aged five to 16 are invited to get creative and design a cover for this year’s Ilkley Carnival. The challenge is to design an image to represent this year’s Mardi Gras theme. The winning design will go on the front of the programme. The competition is sponsored by Bradford Grammar School, which is providing prizes of an art set and a bespoke arts workshop for the winner and classmates. BGS pupils Ben Richardson and Charlotte Brown joined head of art Sarah Horsfield and competition co-ordinator Colin Watson to launch the initiative. Says Sarah Horsfield: “The Mardi Gras theme is the perfect canvas to unleash artistic skills. Think vibrant colours and bold imagery while capturing the essence of Ilkley.”
Colin Watson, who produces the programmes, added: “I’m looking forward to seeing entries that really jump of the page. This is a fantastic opportunity to create something eye-catching which has the chance of being seen by thousands of people on the day.”
Ilkley Carnival is on May 6, starting at 11am with a parade from The Grove. The competition has three age categories: five to eight, nine to 11 and 12-16. The closing date is March 1. Entries must be delivered in an envelope marked Ilkley Carnival Cover Competition to Pinnacle Graphic Design, 32-34 The Grove, Ilkley, LS29 9EE. Visit ilkleycarnival.org
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