Here we go! Half term is here. Summer's on its way and getting out and about feels good!
Whether you fancy hunting for dragonflies, meeting LEGO masterbuilders, creating dinosaur-themed crafts or attending inspirational storytellings, there's really something here for everyone!
Have a fantastic week: here's hoping for some sunshine!
Arts and Literature
Magic Seeker FREE
Punnydukes, Matlock
Throughout May & Jun - Wed to Sun - 11am to 5pm
Look for the magic! Grab a treasure map and immerse yourself in the magical fantasy world of Punnydukes. Find faeries, witches and other magical beings throughout the shop and tick them off to claim your treasure pin badge. Suitable for ages 2 - 200.
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If
The Ritz
Various days and times
If stars Ryan Reynolds as the father of a young girl who can see everyone’s imaginary friends who have been left behind as their real-life friends have grown-up. Find out more here.
Book Hunt FREE
Ripley Town Centre and Crossley Park
All week
Laura from Nightingale Books will be hiding almost 300 books around Ripley Town Centre and Crossley Park for children to find. Many are sponsored by small businesses making it a real community event. Look out for clues on her Facebook group and share a photo when you find one.
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Create My World: Nature FREE
LEVEL Centre, Rowsley
Until Thu 27 June
An interactive exhibition for all ages, focused on nature, world-building and exploration. Explore your creativity, and see your digital creations come alive in our virtual world!
Free but book online
Find out more here.
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Elmer Day FREE
Ashbourne Library
Sat 25 May – 10am
Free craft activity drop-in session
Phone 01629 533950 for more information
Wildlife-Themed Crafts
Denby Craft Village
Sat 25 May to Sun 02 Jun – 10am to 4pm
Celebrate British wildlife this half-term! Craft sessions from £7. Wildlife trail £3 add on. Paint a stone and add it to Calvin the Caterpillar for 50p add on. Help build a bug house.
Find out more here.
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Derbyshire Open Arts FREE
Various Venues
Sat 25 to Mon 27 May
200 artists and crafts people exhibiting in 61 venues throughout Derbyshire including The National Stone Centre in Wirksworth, The Haybarn Gallery in Ilam, Crompton Inglefield Village Hall in Turnditch and The Willows in Darley Dale. Find out more here.
Ingenious Creations FREE
Museum of Making
Wed 29 May - 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30 to 3.30pm
Taking inspiration from Ingenious Edie, Master Inventor of Tiny Town (see p21), make your own mini creations, precious objects or shiny things, and for one day only, display them at the Museum of Making.
FREE drop-in sessions, suitable for families Find out more here.
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May Magic
Belper Community Hall
Wed 29 May – 1 to 3pm
Crafts, games and stories with the Strutt’s North Mill education team. Suitable for children aged 3-11.
Tickets: £4 per child
Find out more here.
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Bookworms: The Kids’ Takeover
Electric Daisy
Thu 30 May - 10am to 3pm
Calling all Bookworms! Head down to Electric Daisy for a day of stories and nature discovery. A full programme of storytelling from authors, illustration demonstrations and talks on nature. Free play in the garden with nature play and craft activities.
Tickets: £5 child; adults free but must book a ticket
Find out more here.Â
Hair Raising Adventures
Ashbourne Library
Thu 30 May – 10.30 to 11.30
Craft activities using static electricity. Suitable for 5-11s.
Phone 01629 533950 for more information
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Storytelling FREE
Derbion
Thu 30 May
Live children’s book reading sessions throughout the day in our themed reading area. Suitable for ages 2-7. Free but booking essential. A Derby Book Festival event.
Find out more here.Â
Art in the Park - Manga Drawing
Markeaton Craft Village
Fri 31 May – 10.30am to 12pm
Inspired by the ‘Pizazz’ series by Sophy Henn. Suitable for ages 6-10.
Tickets: £14.50
Find out more here.Â
Dinosaur Craft and Trail FREE
Heanor Library
Fri 31 May – 11am to 1pm
Drop-in craft session suitable for all ages.
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Children’s Craft Drop-In FREE
Belper Library
Sat 01 Jun - 10am to 3pm
Craft activities for ages 5 and above.
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Storytelling with Pippa Curnick FREE
Waterstones, Derby
Sat 01 Jun – 10.30 to 11.30am
A reading from ‘Indigo Wilde and the Giant Problem’ followed by a short illustration activity. Suitable for ages 6-10.
Find out more here. Â
Storymaking with ‘The Case of Curiosity’
QUAD, Derby
Sat 01 Jun – 10.15am & 11.30am
The Babbling Vagabonds will be bringing along a collection of curious objects to help you weave tales of epic quests. A fabulous, fun introduction to telling your own stories and making them come alive!
Tickets: £6
Find out more here.Â
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The Wonderful World of Shadow Puppetry
QUAD, Derby
Sat 01 Jun – 1pm & 2.30pm
Join the incredible Babbling Vagabonds for a creative workshop, a fabulous, fun introduction to making your own puppets and putting on a show.
Tickets: £6 Find out more here.Â
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Community and Charity Events
Mr Blobby’s Annual Charity Tractor Road Run FREE
The Railway Inn, Shottle
Sat 25 May - 10am
Bake sale and raffle hosted at The Railway Inn. Supporting the Air Ambulances.
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Loopy Lou Show FREE
Belper Memorial Gardens
Sat 25 May – 10.30am
A morning full of fun and laughter for little ones. Children’s entertainer Loopy Lous will delight with colourful balloons, energy and enthusiasm.
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Wirksworth Carnival Party and Parade
Memorial Gardens
Sun 26 May
Floats, T’Owd Man Morris Dancers, Belly Dance Flames, live music, animal encounters and a fun fair.
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Elvaston Communities Group Village Fete FREE
Elvaston Cricket Ground
Mon 27 May – 10.30am to 4pm
Avro Lancaster flypast, games, entertainment, demonstrations, BBQ, bar, live music, food vendors, craft stalls and a fun dog show.
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Makers Market
Bridge the Gap Child Mental Health CIC, Derby
Thu 30 May – 10am to 2pm
Wellbeing, craft stalls and cakes raising funds for all the great work that Bridge the Gap do. £1 entry.
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Kilburn Community Day FREE
Kilburn Village Hall & Church Street Park
Sat 01 Jun - 10am to 1pm
Fun for the whole family. Local groups. Police and other local organisations. Free have-a-go activities.
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The Big 1 FREE
Cathedral Green
Sat 02 Jun - 11am
Chaddesden’s annual summer family fun day for all to enjoy.
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Attractions
ORIGAMAY
Peak Wildlife Park
Throughout May – 10am to 5.30pm
A month-long celebration and awareness initiative spotlighting some of the world’s most endangered species. Join the interactive origami trail, engage with stories of survival and conservation and make connections between your art and the animals they represent. Also, at weekends, enjoy origami workshops and artistic showcases. Find out more here.
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Cromford Builds
Cromford Mills
Sat 25 & Sun 26 May – 10am to 4pm
LEGO bricks display, competition, prizes, stalls, Masterbuilders, light-up models, huge machines and brick pits. All funds raised will go to help the Arkwright Society Charity and contribute to the continued restoration of Cromford Mills.
Find out more here.
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Medieval May
Bluebells Dairy
Sat 25 May to Sun 02 Jun - 10am to 5pm
A week of thrilling quests, sword training and magical tales for timeless memories.
Find out more here.
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Massive MOUSE-IVE MAY
Gulliver’s Kingdom
Sat 25 May to Sun 02 Jun – 10am to 5.30pm
A MOUSE-IVE 40% off children’s tickets this week if you book before midnight on May 21 using the code MOUSE40. Find out more here.
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Dino Week
National Forest Adventure Farm
Sat 25 May to Sun 02 Jun - 10am to 5pm
Embark on an adventure of prehistoric proportions. Prepare for an unforgettable journey as you tread through the brand new dino walk-through. Participate in dino training Shows, where you’ll emerge as a certified Dino Ranger. M
Find out more here.
Seaside Fun
Crich Tramway Museum
Sat 25 to Fri 31 May - 10am to 5.30pm
Enjoy the fun of the seaside with a fun fair, mini-beach, bingo, crafts, Punch & Judy, face painter, balloon modeller, flea circus (25-27 May) and juggling shows (28-31 May)!
Tickets: £23 adult; £14 child (annual ticket)
Find out more here.
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Circus Skills, Stilt-Walking and Bubble Fun
Matlock Farm Park
Mon 27 May – 10.30am to 4.30pm
Join in with a variety of activities throughout the day. Have a go at a range of guided circus skills in workshops on our lawn and meet fabulous stilt-walkers for photos. Enjoy the delights of HUGE bubbles created by the Bubble Maker. All the usual animal fun will be happening too. Find out more here.
Rail and Road Steam and Vintage Gala
Peak Rail, Rowsley Steam Depot
Sat 01 & Sun 02 Jun
Showcasing a vast array of vehicles along with children’s fairground rides, stalls and refreshments. Steam train rides between Rowsley and Matlock.
Tickets: £10 per ticket plus £10 for discounted train rides (kids go free)
Find out more here.
History
Mary Anning Maquette FREE
The National Stone Centre
Until 31 Jul - 10am to 4pm
Exhibition including the model of the bronze statue in place at Lyme Regis, where Mary was born. Other artefacts, lots of information and activities such as a spotter’s trail, fossil digging and fossil panning. Free exhibition but some activities are chargeable. Find out more here.
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Clocking On -Â Family Friendly Tour
Belper North Mill
Sun 02 Jun - 2 to 3pm
Join our experienced guides in a short family-friendly walking tour around the mill to find out what Belper children were doing 200 years ago and visit the historic basement to discover some of Belper’s amazing story.
Tickets: from £2.50
Find out more here.
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The Museum Comes Alive
Erewash Museum
Wed 29 to Fri 31 May – 11am to 4pm (check exact activity times with the museum)
Join Erewash Museum as characters from their exhibition come to life and bring you their stories.
Wednesday: crafts, trail and outside activities in the garden
Thursday: The maid in the Victorian Kitchen will need help completing tasks and there will be real life iron-forging to watch.
Friday: Meet Hope Robinson, learn all about her letters and write one to post home. Interact with the World War II characters in the War Gallery. Find out more here.
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Active
Holiday Activities
Arc Leisure, Matlock
Sat 25 May
From crash course swimming lessons and giant inflatables sessions to competitive swim skills workshops and children's sports camps to soft play and fun floats sessions, there's so much to choose from at Arc Leisure Centre! Find out more here.
Inflatable Fun Factory at Bustler Market
The Chocolate Factory, Derby
Sat 25 May
11am to 1pm for 4 and under
1 to 3pm & 3 to 5pm for 4+
5 to 7pm for adults only
Bouncy castles, assault courses, penalty shoot outs and more alongside the regular Bustler Market.
Tickets: £5 adults; £4 children Find out more here.
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High-Flying Holiday Club
Oxygen Active Play
Mon 27 to Fri 31 May
Inspirational fun, games and Activeplay for 8-12 years. Sibling discounts available. Find out more here.
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Activity Camps
Moorways, Derby
Tue 28 to Fri 31 May - up to 8.30am to 5.30pm
Sports, roller skating, soft play, arts and crafts and lots more. A variety of activities every day. For ages 5-11.
£23 per day - childcare vouchers accepted; sibling discount offered Find out more here
Derbyshire Toy Libraries Stay and Play
Belper Community Hall
Wed 29 May - 9.30 to 11am
Toys galore, refreshments and time to chat.
Nature
Mayfly Craft & Pond Dip
Carsington Water
Mon 27 May - 10am to 3pm
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust drop-in session suitable for 4 years and up. £1 per craft.
Find out more here.
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Dragonfly Walk
Rosliston Forestry Centre
Tue 28 May – 11am to 1pm
A guided walk to spot adult dragonflies after they have emerged from the pond. Donations towards wildlife surveying welcome. No booking required. Suitable for age 8+. No walks if it’s raining.
Find out more here.
Woodland Adventure Days for Kids
Shining Cliff Woods
Tue 28 & Wed 29 May - 10am to 3pm
Den building, shelter making, fire lighting, campfire cooking, games, adventures and fun! A drop off session for children in year 1 and over.
Tickets: £26
Book: info@woodlandconnections.org or on Eventbrite
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Family Bushcraft Event
Carsington Water
Wed 29 May - 10am to12pm
Make a shelter, keep warm and cook on a fire and use simple tools. Suitable for ages 4-11.
Tickets: £10 per person. Parking included.
Book: Eventbrite
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Family Owl Event
Carsington Water
Sat 02 Jun - 10am to 12pm
Find out about our five native owl species, their habits and their habitats. Then identify their prey by dissecting an owl pellet!Suitable for ages 4-11.
Tickets: £6 per person. Parking included
Book: Eventbrite
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