There’s plenty to do in the North East this summer and it needn’t cost you a penny! Read on for details of where you can try circus skills, meet Peppa Pig, enter an ’invention of the future’ competition, make a Roman shield and more!

Please share the information with families you work with. You are advised to contact the venue before making a visit. Have a great summer!

Arbeia Roman Fort & Museum Baring Street, South Shields, NE33 2BB. Tel: (0191) 456 1369

1.         Badges
Tuesday 16 August, 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm
Make a souvenir badge at Arbeia Roman Fort!

 

2.         Roman artists
Tuesday 23 August, 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm
Get creative and help us make a Roman themed wall display!

 

3.         Roman Shields
Tuesday 30 August, 10am – 12.00 and 1pm – 3pm.
Make your own Roman shield to take home!

 

Great North Museum: Hancock Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4PT. Tel: (0191) 222 6765

4.         Saturday Storytimes in the Mouse House

02 Jul, 16 Jul, 30 Jul, 13 Aug, 27 Aug. 10.30am and 11.30am.
Free activities for the under 5s in the Mouse House Gallery every other Saturday.
Come and meet the Great North Mouse for storytime sessions with Gallery Interpreter Kathryn. Stories, songs and learning through play.

For details of each week’s story see www.twmuseums.org.uk

 

Hatton Gallery The Quadrangle, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU. Tel: (0191) 222 6059

5.         Mexican themed summer workshops

25 Jul, 27 Jul, 29 Jul, 01 Aug. Drop in 10.30am – 12.00.
Artist-led creative workshops for children of all ages with a Mexican theme, inspired by this summer’s Revolution on paper: Mexican prints 1910 -1960 exhibition. For details of each week’s activity see www.twmuseums.org.uk/hatton

 

Discovery Museum Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4JA. Tel: (0191) 232 6789

6.     Future World

Saturday 30 July, Thursday 11 August, Saturday 13 August, 10.30am – 3.00pm
Take part in our competition to make your invention of the future using junk materials. Bring along your own junk or use some of ours!

 

Laing Art Gallery New Bridge Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8AG. Tel: (0191) 232 7734

7.         Print

Wednesday 27 July, 10.30-12.30pm and1.30-3.30pm
Print a picture to take home using printing techniques. Could be messy so don’t wear your best clothes!

8.         Sculpture
Wednesday 3 August, 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm
A celebration of Play for all ages. Create your own miniature cityscape inspired by Colin Booth’s giant sculptural installation (made from 3000 wooden blocks!).

9.         Collage
Wednesday 10 August, 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm
Have fun making crazy collages inspired by the collections in the gallery.

10.        Watercolours
Wednesday 17 August, 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm
Experiment with watercolours, learn new techniques.

 

11.        Giant cityscape
Wednesday 24 August, 10.30-12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm
Help us draw a massive cityscape inspired by Colin Booth’s giant sculptural installation.

 

12.        Clay
Wednesday 31 August, 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm
Make your own clay creations to take home.

Baltic South Shore Road, Gateshead, NE8 3BA. Tel 0191 478 1810

13.        Family tours every Saturday, 11.00am

Take a trip round Baltic’s exhibitions with one of our friendly Crew who can offer fun and engaging ways to enjoy and learn more about contemporary art. For ages 13 and under with their families.

 

14.        Busy Bs

Every Saturday and Sunday , 2pm – 4pm

Hassle free, no need to book – just drop-in and get stuck in. Activities for young artists inspired by our exhibitions. Suitable for children 13 years and under with their families.

 

15.        Toddler Time

Tuesdays 10.30am – 12.30pm

Every Tuesday in Quay, Baltic Learning space will be transformed into a magical town for children under 5 and their families to play with art. Includes 10% off in the café bar.

 

16.        Baltic Summer Art Spectacular

Every weekday from 1 – 26 August, 2pm – 4pm

Drop in to Quay any weekday throughout August where Baltic artists will take you into the inspiring world of paper sculpture, collage, animation workshops, and much more. For ages 13 and under with their families.

 

17.        Art in the Park 2011

Sunday 28 & Monday 29 August 2011, 11am – 4pm

Level 1 will be transformed into an enchanting park where you can work with Baltic artists making different types of animation. Why not bring a picnic to enjoy in the specially created picnic area on Baltic Square and take part in more fun activities whilst enjoying the sun.

 

Herrington Country Park Chester Road, Penshaw, Sunderland, DH4 7EL. Tel: 0191 534 8526.

18.        Family Fun Day

Sunday 10 July, 1pm – 4.30pm

Activities include: family zumbal smoothie experience with pedal powered smoothie makers; guest appearance from Peppa Pig; speed shoot and football tennis with Sunderland SAFC; family field games and activities; fruit kebab and fruit juice making and more!

Washington Arts Centre Biddick Lane, Fatfield, Washington, NE38 8AB. Tel: 0191 219 3455

19.        Have a Go!

Saturday 16 July, 10am – 4pm

A day of free workshops in animation, circus skills, community choir, digital photography, recycled art, recording studio techniques, learn to sing and watercolour painting.

20.        Sunderland International Airshow Seaburn Recreation Park, Sunderland, SR6 8DB

Friday 29 July – Sunday 31 July
Ground Entertainment from 10am, Flying Programme 12noon – 6pm.

A thrilling flying display and full arena programme, as well as lots to do on the ground including displays, exhibitions and traders.This year’s event will be launched in spectacular style on Friday 29 July, with a FREE celebration event for all the family, from 7-10pm. Come along and enjoy the live music, night-flying and dramatic fireworks display over the sea.