Events for Children and Young People

Our 2024 Families programme invites children and young adults to explore their creativity, curiosity and connection with authors, poets, illustrators, performers, scientists and environmentalists. Find all your favourite authors plus some new discoveries.

To find more events and workshops for students visit our Education page

Event FiltersYou are viewing events filtered byEvents for Children and Young PeopleWednesday 29 May 2024Reset all filters

Event F41

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

Jess French

The Animal Body Book

– Meadow Stage
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Are you a budding veterinarian or fascinated by animals? Animals come in all shapes and sizes, and they are just as different on the inside as they are on the outside. Come and explore how animal bodies work, and the amazing things they can do, with children’s author, TV presenter and vet Dr Jess French. From a whale’s enormous heart and an owl’s sensitive ears, to a tortoise’s tough shell and an insect’s unusual eyes, Jess will take you through her favourite weird and wonderful animal facts and answer curious questions.

5+ years
Please bring your own notebook and pen or pencil to this event.
Price: £7.00

Event F42

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

That’s Not My…

Storytelling Adventure

– Spring Stage
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Enjoy the touchy-feely delights of Dog, T-Rex, Mermaid, Penguin and lots of That’s not my… friends in this sensory storytelling adventure for little ones. Led by incredible professional storyteller George Hoyle, with fun songs, bubbles and more...

0–3 years
Sold out
Please log in to add this event to your wish list so we can notify you in case of further availability

Event W38

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

Ready, Steady, Music! Workshop

– Creative Hub
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Get your Hay day off to a brilliant start with our daily Ready, Steady, Music workshops! With different activities each day, these interactive, fun-filled sessions for mini musicians will have you tapping sticks, roaring like dinosaurs, flying with unicorns, dancing with scarves, playing with parachutes and much more. Come and meet our puppets, explore our instruments and be accompanied by the beautiful sound of the cello.

0–4 years
Parents/carers must attend but do not need a ticket.
Sold out
Please log in to add this event to your wish list so we can notify you in case of further availability

Event W39

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

Pizza-making Workshop

Kitchen Garden Pizza

– Family Garden
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Come to the Family Garden for a pizza masterclass with Kitchen Garden Pizza. In this one-hour session your imagination and creativity will be fed along with your belly! You’ll get your hands messy with freshly grown and foraged ingredients, make and top your own dough and observe the pizzaioli at work at the wood-fired oven. And while you wait for your pizza to cook, you can decorate your own pizza box!
Dairy-free and gluten-free options available.

4+ years
Parents/carers must attend but do not need a ticket.
Price: £16.00

Event MT13

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

Make & Take Crafting

Wednesday Morning Session

– Make & Take Hub
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An opportunity to get crafting! Activities differ every day, including everything from print-making to junk modelling with recycled materials. Get messy and creative: your imagination is the limit.

Book for the session and you can drop in at any point during the 1.5 hour duration. Accompanying adults: please stay in attendance at all times, but you do not require a ticket.

3–11 years
Price: £5.00

Event W40

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

Fencing Workshop

With Fencing Cymru

– Middle Garden
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Draw your sabre and take on friends and family for the Hay Festival fencing crown in this have-a-go session with Fencing Cymru/Welsh Fencing. Learn the skills of this fast-paced Olympic sport in a safe and friendly environment before stepping onto the piste – en garde!

Family, 6+ years
Free – drop in

Event W41

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

Pizza-making Workshop

Kitchen Garden Pizza

– Family Garden
Read more

Come to the Family Garden for a pizza masterclass with Kitchen Garden Pizza. In this one-hour session your imagination and creativity will be fed along with your belly! You’ll get your hands messy with freshly grown and foraged ingredients, make and top your own dough and observe the pizzaioli at work at the wood-fired oven. And while you wait for your pizza to cook, you can decorate your own pizza box!
Dairy-free and gluten-free options available.
Dairy-free and gluten-free options available.

4+ years
Parents/carers must attend but do not need a ticket.
Price: £16.00
Last few remaining tickets

Event F43

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

AF Steadman

Skandar and the Chaos Trials

– Wye Stage
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Internationally bestselling author AF Steadman comes to Hay Festival to introduce the third book in her blockbuster series, Skandar and the Chaos Trials. Get ready for unlikely heroes, elemental magic, sky battles, ancient secrets and ferocious unicorns. Find out about her original inspirations for the Skandar series, which has been translated into over 45 languages and is set to hit the big screen with Sony Pictures. Come prepared to create your own bloodthirsty unicorn, take part in the Chaos Cup and discover elemental magic!

8+ years
Price: £7.00

Event F44

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

Alex Willmore

Spyceratops

– Spring Stage
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Meet the little dinosaur who is the greatest secret agent in the world! Spyceratops has all the skills: sneaking, peeking, blending in, daredevil manoeuvres. She has all the kit: groovy gadgets, loyal sidekick, awesome spy-mobile. And now the perfect opportunity has arisen for her to share her espionage expertise with you as she uncovers Grandad’s secret plotting. Join Alex Willmore, bestselling illustrator of I Did See a Mammoth! and The Runaway Pea, in this dino-tastic event.

3+ years
Price: £7.00

Event W42

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

Circus Skills Workshop

With Citrus Arts

– Creative Hub
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In this workshop with expert tutors from Citrus Arts, you’ll learn the basics of juggling and object manipulation, skills that you can continue to practise and improve on your own at home. Try out hula hooping, diablo and more, in true Big Top style.

5–7 years
Parents/carers must attend but do not need a ticket.
Sold out
Please log in to add this event to your wish list so we can notify you in case of further availability

Event MT14

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

Make & Take Crafting

Wednesday Lunchtime Session

– Make & Take Hub
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An opportunity to get crafting! Activities differ every day, including everything from print-making to junk modelling with recycled materials. Get messy and creative: your imagination is the limit.

Book for the session and you can drop in at any point during the 1.5 hour duration. Accompanying adults: please stay in attendance at all times, but you do not require a ticket.

3–11 years
Price: £5.00

Event F45

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

Cressida Cowell

Which Way Round the Galaxy

– Discovery Stage
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Create fantasy worlds with Cressida Cowell! Plunge into the imagination of the multi-million-selling author and illustrator of How to Train Your Dragon as she introduces her latest fantasy adventure Which Way Round the Galaxy. She’ll help you create your own magical world and characters, all while illustrating live on stage. Bring along your ideas books to show Cressida at the signing.

8+ years
Please bring your own sketchbook and pencils to draw along in this event.
Price: £7.00

Event F46

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

Peter Wohlleben

Be a Nature Explorer!

– Spring Stage
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Whether you’re in the forest, your own backyard or the city, there are so many exciting ways to engage with nature – and forester Peter Wohlleben has the best ideas for doing it. He has the knowledge, from pressing flowers, harvesting algae and skipping stones to observing spiders and even building your own mini sailboat. Learn how to decode nature’s messages, identify plants and animal tracks, record and preserve your finds and more, with Peter’s activities to help you explore the outdoors.

6+ years
Please bring your own notebook and pen or pencil to this event.
Price: £7.00

Event W43

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

Circus Skills Workshop

With Citrus Arts

– Creative Hub
Read more

In this workshop with expert tutors from Citrus Arts, you’ll learn the basics of juggling and object manipulation, skills that you can continue to practise and improve on your own at home. Try out hula hooping, diablo and more, in true Big Top style.

12+ years
No parent/carer attendance nor sign in/out is required.
Price: £10.00

Event W44

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

Fencing Workshop

With Fencing Cymru

– Middle Garden
Read more

Draw your sabre and take on friends and family for the Hay Festival fencing crown in this have-a-go session with Fencing Cymru/Welsh Fencing. Learn the skills of this fast-paced Olympic sport in a safe and friendly environment before stepping onto the piste – en garde!

Family, 6+ years
Free – drop in

Event F47

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

Geri Halliwell-Horner

Rosie Frost and the Falcon Queen

– Discovery Stage
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Geri Halliwell-Horner – author, singer, producer and musician – joins us at Hay Festival for a celebration of Girl Power. Geri has created Rosie Frost, a new kind of hero for today’s young readers. She talks about her creative career, writing for children and the inspiration behind her adventure novel. Bring your questions for the Q&A with Geri.

10+ years
Price: £7.00

Event F48

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

Laura Ellen Anderson

Marnie Midnight and the Moon Mystery

– Spring Stage
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Bring your sketchbook and follow creator Laura Ellen Anderson into the magical world of Miniopolis, a fun-filled land of minibeasts and moon magic. ​Meet an extraordinary cast of new characters including Marnie Midnight and her minibeast friends Floyd Flombiddium and Star Vonstrosity. Discover how Laura takes inspiration from the real world around us, create your own weird and wonderful Minibeast character and learn how to draw one of Marnie’s adorable friends.

7+ years
Please bring your own sketchbook and pencils to draw along in this event.
Price: £7.00

Event W45

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

Circus Skills Workshop

With Citrus Arts

– Creative Hub
Read more

In this workshop with expert tutors from Citrus Arts, you’ll learn the basics of juggling and object manipulation, skills that you can continue to practise and improve on your own at home. Try out hula hooping, diablo and more, in true Big Top style.

9–11 years
Parents/carers may attend (no ticket required), or sign children in/out.
Price: £10.00

Event MT15

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

Make & Take Crafting

Wednesday Afternoon Session

– Make & Take Hub
Read more

An opportunity to get crafting! Activities differ every day, including everything from print-making to junk modelling with recycled materials. Get messy and creative: your imagination is the limit.

Book for the session and you can drop in at any point during the 1.5 hour duration. Accompanying adults: please stay in attendance at all times, but you do not require a ticket.

3–11 years
Price: £5.00

Event W46

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

Pizza-making Workshop

Kitchen Garden Pizza

– Family Garden
Read more

Come to the Family Garden for a pizza masterclass with Kitchen Garden Pizza. In this one-hour session your imagination and creativity will be fed along with your belly! You’ll get your hands messy with freshly grown and foraged ingredients, make and top your own dough and observe the pizzaioli at work at the wood-fired oven. And while you wait for your pizza to cook, you can decorate your own pizza box!
Dairy-free and gluten-free options available.

4+ years
Parents/carers must attend but do not need a ticket.
Price: £16.00

Event F49

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

Ben Martynoga

Explodapedia: Rewild

– Spring Stage
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Plunge into the science of rewilding with biologist and author Ben Martynoga. He celebrates nature and the incredible ways it keeps us alive, and explores how we can welcome the wild on a personal and epic scale. River-nurturing wolves, tree-toppling beavers, climate warrior whales and even genetically-engineered woolly mammoths could all help us protect, revive and restore our planet to its full glory. Come and take an inspiring look at how we can rewild life so that nature – and humankind – flourishes for a long time to come.

12+ years
Please bring your own notebook and pen or pencil to this event.
Price: £7.00

Event W47

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

Circus Skills Workshop

With Citrus Arts

– Creative Hub
Read more

In this workshop with expert tutors from Citrus Arts, you’ll learn the basics of juggling and object manipulation, skills that you can continue to practise and improve on your own at home. Try out hula hooping, diablo and more, in true Big Top style.

7-9 years
Parents/carers must attend but do not need a ticket.
Sold out
Please log in to add this event to your wish list so we can notify you in case of further availability

Event W48

Events taking place live 23 May–2 June 2024

Pizza-making Workshop

Kitchen Garden Pizza

– Family Garden
Read more

Come to the Family Garden for a pizza masterclass with Kitchen Garden Pizza. In this one-hour session your imagination and creativity will be fed along with your belly! You’ll get your hands messy with freshly grown and foraged ingredients, make and top your own dough and observe the pizzaioli at work at the wood-fired oven. And while you wait for your pizza to cook, you can decorate your own pizza box!
Dairy-free and gluten-free options available.

4+ years
Parents/carers must attend but do not need a ticket.
Sold out
Please log in to add this event to your wish list so we can notify you in case of further availability

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