Free. Sat Feb 11. There’s a free creative writing workshop for children at Spike Island organized by novelist, short story writer and poet Sian Norris. Sian’s the co-editor of the Read Women project and the founder of the Bristol Women’s Literature Festival. Her non-fiction has been published in The Guardian and the Independent. From 1pm ‘til 3pm, booking advised.
Free. Sat Feb 11 & Sun Feb 12. The Bristol International Festival takes place at venues across the city this half-term and whereas some events will set you back a bob or two, other events are free. Drop into the Arnolfini from 11am ‘til 5pm and you can take part in a live art game. See the IBT website for details of other activities.
Free. Sat Feb 11. I’ll be taking my little cheeky monkey to pick up some bargains at the Cheeki Monkeys BS3 and BS4 market in Bedminster. There’s also a colouring competition, face painting, a lucky dip and sand art. The market moves to Warmley on Sat Feb 18.
Free. Sun Feb 12. The Love Food Festival at the Paintworks has whet my appetite. Expect locally reared meat, olives and oils, cheeses, wine, bread, fresh fish and shellfish along with demonstrations on what to do with it, including how to fillet a fish, shuck an oyster and prepare a crab.
Free. Half-term week. Take your little pet lovers to a free My Pet Pals workshop at Pets at Home. This is a fun workshop that teaches children how to look after pets and you can book a place at various stores across Bristol.
Free. Sat Feb 11 to Sat Feb 19. If you’re heading into town, take your little ones to Foyles bookshop where they can read, draw and enjoy free squash and biscuits from 2 ‘til 4pm.
Free. Tue Feb 14. Create your own animal story with local children’s author Rachel Carter at M Shed’s Animal Story Factory. Invent a character, plan your plot and write an amazing adventure. Age 6+.
Free. Tue Feb 14 to Fri Feb 17. The Arnolfini is hosting its We Are Family workshops where you can drop in any time between 1 and 5pm for costume making and experiments with lighting.
Free. Thu Feb 16. Join the folks at Lawrence Weston Community Farm for a free nature walk and huddle around the campfire between 2 and 4pm.
Free. Thu Feb 16. There’s a free event at St John on the Wall to celebrate the changing season. From 11 ‘til 3pm, children can make masks, dress up or make their own seed bomb.
Free. Fri Feb 17. Bedminster Library is hosting a free children’s craft session between 2 and 3.30pm and the finished pieces will be displayed at Bedminster Window Wanderland from Feb 24 to 26.
Pay what you think, Thu Feb 16. Crafty Cathedral is Bristol Cathedral’s programme of half-term activities for families. Explore the cathedral with trails and tours or get messy with arts and crafts. The sessions are drop-in between 10am and 12 noon. Sessions are run on a Pay What You Think basis, with all proceeds going towards the cathedral’s education work.
£2 per child, Thu Feb 16. I’ll be taking Little Miss Diva along to Windmill Hill City Farm to whip up a homemade pizza. You can choose your own tasty toppings before cooking your pizza in the wood-burning pizza oven.
Free. Sat Feb 18. You might like to end half-term getting hands-on with some creative clay play. Be inspired by the Architecture Centre’s Life of Clay exhibition, then design and make your own clay tile creations.
Free. Sat Feb 18. You’ll have another chance to bag a bargain at the Southville Club in Bedminster from 12 ‘til 3.30 at Bazaar. This is a fun filled kids jumble with lots of activities to keep the kids busy while the parents shop!
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