A festival of family fun delivered in partnership with Bolton Library and Museum Services, Bolton University and Bolton College Family Learning. All activities are free and there’s no need to book unless otherwise stated.
Mini Explorers and Fishy Fridays
This year’s 4 week courses especially for the under 5’s at Bolton Museum and Aquarium during September and early October went down a treat with full capacity for each. For more details of future courses and workshops, please contact Bolton College Family Learning on 01204 482556.
Dinosaur Discovery Workshop!
Handle ancient fossils and life size casts of dinosaur bones in our interactive blanket dig. Listen to some dinosaur themed stories and have fun in this prehistoric family friendly event.
Heaton Library Thursday 13 October 6pm – 7pm
Farnworth Library Thursday 20 October 6pm – 7pm
Bolton Museum Tuesday 25 October 11am – 12noon
Little Treasures
Enjoy fun and creative art sessions with your children at Bolton Central Library. As part of the Little Treasures Family Learning, families can make things, listen to stories and explore objects from Bolton Museum. There’s also a free taster session at High Street Library. Places must be booked in advance for all sessions. To book, please contact 01204 332211. Places are limited so book soon!
Bolton Central Library Fortnightly from Saturday 15 October /10.30am-11.30am
High Street Library Monday 17 October 10.30am-11.30am
Mad Hatter’s Tea Party!
A free family activity day celebrating crafty crafts and pastime perils from our local history books! Get creative with your sticking, cutting and making skills! Lots of family fun and fantastic facts to be found!
Bolton Museum Saturday 15 October 10am-3.30pm
Sing and Sign
Come along to learn more about this wonderful new way to communicate with your baby (ages 0 to 2 years). For more information take a look at the website www.singandsign.com.
Bolton Central Library Monday 17 October 10.30am
‘Popup’ Studio!
Come along and get your photo taken! See how Boltonians have changed from when photographer Humphrey Spender took photos of Bolton during the 1930s. Everyone will receive a free copy and the images will go into the Bolton archive for further generations to look at.
Bolton Museum Tuesday 18 October 11am-3pm
What next for Science?
Check out the latest developments from the Institute of Materials Research and Innovation at the University of Bolton. Ask the scientists in the Bolton Lives Gallery and get involved with their hands-on activities and demonstrations. Part of Manchester Science Festival.
Bolton Museum Monday 24 October 11am–3pm
Fish Feeds
Come and see the fish in the Aquarium have their dinner! Find out what types of food they eat and where they come from.
Bolton Aquarium Tuesday 25, Thursday 27 and Friday 28 October 1.30pm
Things that Glow in the Dark!
Join us as Don Stenhouse, Collections Access Officer (Museum) shows a range of insects that can glow in the dark!
Bolton Museum Wednesday 26 October 11am – 12.30pm
Bookstart Bear Club Stories
Bring your favourite cuddly toy to our story time for the under 5s and have a look at toys of long ago. Everyone welcome.
Bolton Museum Thursday 27 October 10.30am-11.30am
Smithills Spooky Crafts
Join us as crafts go spooky for Halloween! Make a decoration inspired by Smithills Hall. This activity is free but admission prices apply if you would like to look around the hall (£3 adults, £2 concessions).
Smithills Hall Thursday 27 October 1pm–4pm
Caspers’ Ghost Tours!
Come along and join our friendly ghost tours especially for children. Tickets £4 per person. Advance booking required. To book please call Smithills Hall on 01204 332377.
Smithills Hall Friday 28 October 4pm
Super Saturday: Scientific Big Draw!
Join us for our ‘Super Saturdays’ on the last Saturday of the month. This month, we celebrate the Big Draw and National Science Week with a range of fun activities including crafts, storytelling and object handling.
Central Library and Museum Saturday 29 October 11am-3pm
Big Book Bonanza: Bonfire Night!
This year’s theme for the Big Book Bonanza is Bonfire Night! Celebrate with a collection of books, stories and craft activities. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Bolton Central Library Saturday 5 November 10am-3.30pm
For family events children must be accompanied by an adult. For information about Family Learning courses in your child’s school please ring Bolton College on 01204 482556.
