Children Primary

Come to a fun, story-generating workshop with Emma Bettridge and her dog Nell. During this inspiring outdoor session, you’ll walk to the River Wye where you’ll write, draw and record your stories, inspired by the river and its surrounding area. Emma Bettridge is a theatre producer, nature lover and children’s author whose books include Goodbye Hobbs and Red is Home.

Please come dressed for the weather. We regret that we can’t accommodate dogs at this session.

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

Settle in for a joyous morning of family entertainment with national treasure and former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen. He shares stories and poems from his extensive back catalogue, and introduces his latest playful tale The Incredible Adventures of Gaston le Dog. Inspired by stories Michael used to tell his son on holiday in France, this was the book he dreamed of writing while he was recovering from Covid.

Island boy Aaron loves the sea. But he's a bit scared of going under the water. Then one day Aaron finds an octopus stranded on the beach. And as he helps Dad return it to the water, something amazing happens… Can Aaron lose his fear and go underwater? Maybe now he can help look after the sea creatures and be… Aqua Boy!

Award-winning author and illustrator Ken Wilson-Max (Astro Girl and Eco Girl) reads from Aqua Boy, an empowering story about looking after the ocean and its wildlife. Next he shows you how to draw an octopus yourself, and then – hold your breath! – while you complete your drawing, Ken creates a stunning live painting.

Please bring your own sketchbook and pencils to draw along in this event.

Rotoscope and remix! Leave your mark – help reanimate, reimagine and remix short films with visual artists MASH Cinema. During the workshop you’ll experiment with techniques pioneered by animator Max Fleischer to produce new moving image artwork in this fun, hands-on collaborative creative project. Completed animations will be available to view online.

Come to a fun, story-generating workshop with Emma Bettridge and her dog Nell. During this inspiring outdoor session, you’ll walk to the River Wye where you’ll write, draw and record your stories, inspired by the river and its surrounding area. Emma Bettridge is a theatre producer, nature lover and children’s author whose books include Goodbye Hobbs and Red is Home.

Please come dressed for the weather. We regret that we can’t accommodate dogs at this session.

Tim Peake was the first British astronaut to conduct a spacewalk at the International Space Station, and an inspiration for budding young scientists and astronauts everywhere. In this out-of-this-world event, Peake talks about his first non-fiction book for children, The Cosmic Diary of Our Incredible Universe with space scientist, educator, author and presenter Maggie Aderin-Pocock. You'll discover everything from how stars are made, to which fruit can create antimatter. Peake is a former Apache pilot, flight instructor, test pilot and European Space Agency astronaut whose books include his memoir Limitless, and the photography collection Hello, is this Planet Earth?

What can tea and pyjamas tell us about Britain today? Carnegie-nominated author Shelina Janmohamed steers an interactive, mind-blowing journey through the centuries and lands of the British Empire, standing in the shoes of kids just like you. Hear the voices of children of the industrial revolution, enslaved children, the Home children and even the teenage match girls who went on strike and inspired a political movement. Understanding what happened during the British Empire helps all of us to make sense of the world we live in today. Not afraid to tackle big issues like racism and inequality, Shelina will ask perhaps the most important question of all: how can you be the author of your own (British Empire) story, and could your story change the course of history?

Please bring your own notebook and pen or pencil to this event.

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

Rotoscope and remix! Leave your mark – help reanimate, reimagine and remix short films with visual artists MASH Cinema. During the workshop you’ll experiment with techniques pioneered by animator Max Fleischer to produce new moving image artwork in this fun, hands-on collaborative creative project. Completed animations will be available to view online.

Go story mudlarking with Katya Balen, the Carnegie Medal-winning author of October, October, and discover her new heart-warming tale Foxlight. Explore the wild with twin sisters Fen and Rey – different and the same, separate and connected – as they follow a fox in search of answers.

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

Which dinosaur had teeth as big as a banana? Which dinosaur weighed the same as 10,000 cats? And what could a chicken possibly be doing in the Great Big Dinosaur Show?! Join poet Simon Mole and musician Gecko for their family show full of poems, raps and songs about all your favourite prehistoric protagonists – and some you haven’t heard of yet! Come and get your groove on to some Jurassic classics.

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

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

Enjoy a fast-paced, funny and interactive event with Jenny Pearson, the Laugh Out Loud Book Award-winning author of The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates, The Incredible Record Smashers, Grandpa Frank’s Great Big Bucket List and The Boy Who Made Monsters. You’ll be amazed at the fascinating facts, wondrous World Records and astonishing achievements that Jenny packs into her stories. Settle in for funny videos, quick quizzes and lots of laughs.

Please bring your own notebook and pen or pencil to this event.

Journey back in time with author and poet Nikita Gill for an incredible, evocative event and discover the ancient Indian animal fables of the Panchatantra, which have been told and retold for thousands of years. You’ll meet mighty elephants and courageous mice, cunning crocodiles and clever monkeys, talkative tortoises and little lapwing birds – and each one imparts a different message that can inspire you in different ways. An event celebrating friendship, cleverness, love and wisdom.

Craft your own original Rabbit artwork in this creative workshop for all the family. Enter the joyful world of Jo Ham’s Rabbit – select your favourite HAM print featuring the iconic character and then let your imagination soar to create your own Yippee!, Uh-Oh! or Oops! moment. You can add landscapes, new characters, colourful props and more using paint, pens, stickers and craft materials, with help on hand from Jo and the HAM team.

Drop in and watch aspiring performers from Hereford College of Arts come together to create a joyous short outdoor performance celebrating Shakespeare’s popular comedy. A Midsummer Night’s Dream OR Four Weddings and a Fairy is a mini-version of Shakespeare’s classic – complete with puppets, aerial dance, song, and knock-about comedy, it’s the perfect introduction to Shakespeare for those encountering his work for the first time.

BA Acting students from Hereford College of Arts bring this fantastical 400-year-old tale to life. Gasp at the magical exploits of the fairies, chuckle at the antics of the four young lovers as they get lost in an enchanted forest, and laugh at the calamitous acting of Bottom and his theatre company as they desperately try to entertain the Duke on his wedding day.

Based in the traditions of fairy tale, The Red Dress is a story about a young girl’s journey into adulthood and her changing relationship with her mother. This magical story is brought to life as the pages of a giant book unfold, performed by actors working beautiful, small-scale puppets and props. An intimate piece of theatre featuring a stunning set and choreographed to an evocative soundtrack, The Red Dress is a timeless tale of growing up with a surprise on every page.

About Face Theatre Company devises original work, often using puppets and masks, which tours to festivals and theatres in the region. The actors in About Face all have learning disabilities and bring a unique view of the world into the work they do.

Craft your own original Rabbit artwork in this creative workshop for all the family. Enter the joyful world of Jo Ham’s Rabbit – select your favourite HAM print featuring the iconic character and then let your imagination soar to create your own Yippee!, Uh-Oh! or Oops! moment. You can add landscapes, new characters, colourful props and more using paint, pens, stickers and craft materials, with help on hand from Jo and the HAM team.

Wowza! The nation’s favourite rapping teacher and the star of the Sky Kids’ smash Wonder Raps is back. So grab your hats, shades, chains and raps and get ready to read and rhyme with MC Grammar LIVE! MC Grammar uses rap to teach kids cool facts about the world. Set to earworm tunes, his fun, comedic raps help you learn by stealth.

Prepare for excitement with World Record-breaking adventurer ‘Polar’ Preet Chandi, who was named 2023 Explorer of the Year by the Scientific Exploration Society. Her first book for young people is a must-read if you love to explore. Preet shares tales of her own expeditions around the world, giving practical advice on how to plan your own exploits (even on your own doorstep). She covers everything from how to camp in the wild, navigate through a new landscape and master bushcraft skills – it’s guaranteed to inspire you to a half term full of activity!

Please bring your own notebook and pen or pencil to this event.

Do you have lots of creative ideas, but you're not sure how to get them down on paper? Join award-winning storyteller, cartoonist and author/illustrator of The Cheat Book, Ramzee, in this interactive draw-along where he'll guide you step-by-step through the process of taking ideas and turning them into your own unique creations. Learn how Ramzee created his main character, Kamal, who is on a hilarious journey from invisible to invincible at school. Can Kamal successfully cheat his way onto the cool table?

Please bring your own sketchbook and pencils to draw along in this event.

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

Do you have lots of creative ideas, but you're not sure how to get them down on paper? Join award-winning storyteller, cartoonist and author/illustrator of The Cheat Book, Ramzee, in this interactive draw-along where he'll guide you step-by-step through the process of taking ideas and turning them into your own unique creations. Learn how Ramzee created his main character, Kamal, who is on a hilarious journey from invisible to invincible at school. Can Kamal successfully cheat his way onto the cool table?

Please bring your own sketchbook and pencils to draw along in this event.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!