Family things to do in Nottingham

Have you ever googled family things to do in Nottingham?

If you have I am sure you will have come up with soft play areas, farms and the like in quite large numbers. But there is so much more than that on offer in Nottingham for families. It brings arts and culture to our kids in the most wonderful of ways.

To celebrate the launch of the 2015 national Get Creative Family Arts Festival, venues across Nottingham, acting under the collective of Nottingham Family Arts Network hosted a Bloggers Press Tour to showcase what Nottingham’s city’s arts and culture organisations have to offer families.

And oh my goodness it’s a lot!

Nottingham Theatre Royal

Before my little 8 year old A and I joined the tour  they had already been backstage at the fantastic 150 year old Theatre Royal. I have been going to Nottingham Theatre Royal to see pantomimes and shows over the last 40 years. It is a stunning theatre and it hosts amazing shows. I have taken my kids to see pantomimes and horrible histories there and many other fabulous shows. It really is fantastic.

The Snowman is on in January and I will definitely be taking my kids to see it . You can see what’s on at Nottingham Theatre Royal  and the neighbouring Royal Concert hall at http://www.trch.co.uk They are such brilliant family friendly venues.

Central Library Angel Row, Nottingham

Libraries are rather fabulous places these days and have so much going on for families Nottingham’s libraries have lots of fun activities for children: Under 5 s Tots times with stories, rhymes, music and movement, story times for older children, young writers clubs, craft clubs and family friendly events. best of all children’s activities are FREE. Do have a look at the activities and events Nottingham Libraries offer.

Nottingham Contemporary

Nottingham Contemporary is one of he largest contemporary art spaces in the UK. It has exhibited fabulous international art and has amazing exhibitions which are always made accessible to families.  They do this brilliantly through play and art sessions in the holidays at weekends to accompany the current exhibit  and best of all you don’t need to book and just drop in. Find out more about their family friendly sessions by following the link. Super firendly staff too which of course, with kids, makes all the difference.

Currently the exhibit is Alien Encounters and my daughter had such fun with this exhibit…listening to music by Sun -Ra in a yellow space and drawing what she saw.

After that she created a creature from Saturn, immersing herself in her own art. This is what I love about the contemporary it introduces children to a myriad of artist then gives them space to explore their own artistic skills. Fabulous.

We went from the contemporary on the brilliant Nottingham Tram network up to Nottingham University Lakeside Arts which encompasses University of Nottingham’s exciting programme of exhibitions, music, drama, dance, special collections, archaeology,and family events for everyone.

It is so beautiful at Nottingham Lakeside, if you haven’t been I do urge you to go. The venue in itself and the lake, the park the huge conker tress and the boats you can take out just make a fabulous family day out. Their theatre programme always has fabulous family offerings too. They also have arts and crafts and workshop like The Big Draw on for kids so do get on their newsletter list to keep up with what is happening.

We saw a gorgeous installation called Swarm by Anna Colette Hunt at Lakeside then the kids (who had been fascinated) settled down to cakes and clay making and made their own bugs and beetles. It was fabulous. So much concentration!

We also looked over at the museum at lots of local artefacts that had been dug up. It was truly fascinating.

The whole day was a huge celebration of all Nottingham has to offer. We wants to thank everyone involved in showcasing these fabulous venues to us for making us so welcome.

Arts in Nottingham for families is very much alive and kicking, they do it so well. So if you are looking for family things to do in Nottingham don’t forget our vibrant arts culture and all it’s fabulous offerings.

Nottingham Rocks.