News, events and schools' information for families across Bath and West Wiltshire

The Festival of Nature Family Nature Party is a free entry all-day event aimed at under 10’s, taking place at Apex City of Bath Hotel on Sunday 11 June from 10am – 4pm.

Come together with other local families for a day of arts and crafts, music and writing workshops, storytelling, games and performances, toddler sessions, and lots of opportunities for little ones and parents to learn about and take action for the natural world.

The event includes a programme of FREE music, performances storytelling and interactive workshops all-day. It is recommended that you book your spot on the workshops to guarantee a place.

Main Stage

Join in with music, performances, storytelling, and talks on the main stage, featuring:

10:30am – Animal Electro Dance Party from Family Favourite ‘Poco Drom’

Poco Drom is ready to rock your wild and wonderful world with a paw full of animal songs that will have you bouncing and roaring along. Slow worms, penguins, cheetahs, badgers and a menagerie of other awesome beasts form the sound track to an electro dance party like no other. Animal costumes optional… bouncing up and down compulsory!!!

11:30am – Special guest appearance from Nadeem Perera

The Festival is excited to welcome Nadeem Perera to talk at this year’s Family Nature Party. Nadeem is a wildlife TV presenter, author, activist and co-founder of the birdwatching collective, Flock Together. Nadeem has appeared on Springwatch, Autumnwatch and films for The One Show. He is an ambassador for the Festival of Nature partner organisation Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT).

12:15pm – Rock Out Baby

Get singing and dancing with toddler (and grown-up’s) favourite Rock Out Baby for a Family Nature Party special performance!

1pm – Storytelling with author Tiffany Taylor

Join author and University of Bath researcher Tiffany Taylor for a storytelling special! Tiffany is a mum of two, a scientist to some, a lover of nature and a child at heart. She is an advocate of science outreach for young audiences and is driven by the unedited amazement that comes from eager young minds.

1:30pm – Adam Allsortz Magic Show

Adam will be appearing for one of his renowned magic shows. Expect a fun, silly and hilarious extravaganza!

2pm – Buzz Buzz Buzz, We’re Going on a Bee Hunt! Storytelling with Michael Loader

Join Michael Loader for a hum, a buzz and the story of a tireless worker bee looking for late autumn nectar – so he might need your help! Sing along in this uplifting story of the abundance and generosity of nature – the moon, apple orchards and blossom – on route to our honeypot ending.

Workshops

Drawing Workshop with Artist Alicia Hayden

10 – 10:45am | Suitable for all ages.

Join wildlife artist and illustrator Alicia Hayden as she takes you through the amazing world of pollinators! Learn how to draw a bee and a butterfly using simple shapes, as well as building your confidence with blending and adding colours to your drawings.

Nature-inspired play session with The Curious Child

10 – 10:30am and 10:45 – 11:15am | Best suited for accompanied under-fives.

Come and enjoy 30 minutes of nature-inspired open-ended play. There will be opportunities for sensory and small-World play, observation of pond life, as well as creating and building with recycled loose parts.

Bat Wildflower Seed Bomb Workshop with Nature Nurture Kids

10:15 – 10:45am and 11:15 – 11:45am | Suitable for all ages.

Throw some colour into the world whilst helping the declining bat populations and pollinating insects! In this hands-on workshop hosted by Nature Nurture Kids, children will have the opportunity to learn how to make wildflower Seed Bombs specifically tailored to help bats.

Pollinator Collaging with Illustrator Marian Hill

11:15am – 12pm and 12:30 – 1:15pm | Suitable for all ages.

Get crafty with illustrator Marian Hill! Create your own beautiful collaged bee, beetle, butterfly or moth using old magazines in this fun workshop, suitable for all accompanied children.

Indoor Forest School Session with Climate Hub B&NES

11:45am – 12:45pm | Best suited to accompanied children aged 4-8.

Indoor forest school fun to celebrate summer! We will explore the beauty of nature through various seasonal craft activities, using natural materials, storytelling and singing, creating an opportunity for all learners to deepentheir connection, care and appreciation of the natural world. 

Create your Dream Park

12:45 – 1:30pm | Suitable for all ages.

What your favourite thing about your local park – swings, trees to climb, beautiful flowers, or somewhere to run around and play games? What would your dream park look like? Let your imagination go wild in this creative workshop, as you create your perfect park. Led by University of Bath researcher Zina Abdulla.

Drama Workshop with Hannah-Rose

1.30 – 2.30pm | Perfect for adventurers aged 2 to 5.

Combining stories, games, songs, props and sensory play, Hannah-Rose’s drama adventures are an unforgettable experience for young people. Join her at the Festival of Nature as she takes you on a magical camping adventure! We’ll be building dens, exploring forests, and singing campfire songs!

Bug Hunting with Bathscape

1:30 – 2:15pm | Suitable for all ages.

Join Bathscape on a bug hunting adventure to find out what amazing creatures make their home in Green Park.

Water Detectives Workshop with Wessex Water

2 – 2:30pm | Best suited for ages 7+.

Put your senses to the test and become a water detective in this interactive workshop! Take part in fun experiments and discover why water quality is important.

Wooden Crafty Creatures Workshop

2.30 – 2.45pm | Best suited to children aged 5+.

Use logs, pegs and lolly sticks to create beetle, bug, bee and butterfly creations, led by Funky Art House.

Investigating Rivers Workshop with Wessex Water

2:45 – 3:30pm | Best suited for ages 7+

Wessex water scientists use different methods to check for water quality in rivers. Come and find out what we look for, how we do it and then investigate our samples for yourself!

Nature Adventure – to gather together! With Storyteller Michael Loader

3 – 3:45pm | Suitable for all ages.

Join storyteller Michael Loader on a nature adventure! We’re going to Green Park to explore and discover the green world of nature, below, above and around. Buzzers, crawlers, flyers, hummers, those that hover those that spin, those that flower those that sing, those that burst through soil and climb to the sun!