What’s on in Bristol this Weekend: 1st & 2nd October

If you are looking for fun and family-friendly things to do this weekend, I am pleased to say that Bristol delivers yet again!

There are lots of great events taking place across the city this weekend, many of them free. There’s an Apple Day at Grimsbury Farm in Kingswood, Fun Palaces & Brilliant Bodies at Wills Memorial Building, arts and crafts session at the Children’s Scrapstore and Heritage Weekend at the docks.

There are also crane rides, boat trips, storytelling, a banned books session which involves creating book hedgehogs and dressing up in scrap, a brilliant sale of pre-loved baby and children’s clothes, toys and equipment, plus more fun events!

See the full list of events and activities below – plus, please see the Bristol Mum Facebook Page for more family-friendly events coming up soon!

SATURDAY 1st OCTOBER

Fun Palaces: Brilliant Bodies at Wills Memorial Building

Come prepared to think, come prepared to play at this free event for children and families.

Fun Palace is run by local PhD students from the arts and sciences, excited to explore and share their cutting edge research on the body through playful activities, artworks and experiments.

Fun Palaces is both an ongoing campaign for culture by, for and with all, and also an annual weekend of events, where arts and sciences are a vital catalyst for community engagement.

Time: 10am-5pm
Cost: Free
Location: Wills Memorial Building, Queens Road, Bristol, BS8 1RJ
More details

Super Saturday Sample Session: Children’s Scrapstore

Free arts and crafts session for families. Come and experiment with new art ideas and try out new materials. Themed craft sessions and demonstrations.

10.30am – 2pm (drop-in)
FREE
Scrapstore House, 21 Sevier St, BS2 9LB
More details

Preloved Baby & Children’s Sale: Westbury-on-Trym

A preloved baby and children’s sale raising money for local hospitals, plus charities, Mothers for Mothers and Smile for Siddy.

Clothes and equipment for sale, plus Tea and Cake Room and an Activities Room for children.

11am – 2pm
IMPS Hall, Community Church, Albert Place, off Eastfield Road, Westbury-on-Trym, BS9 4AD
No entry fee – donations for aforementioned charities welcome
More details

Storytelling Session at ss Great Britain

Follow the story of Brunel as he steps into one of his Shakespeare paintings for an adventure. A storytelling session most suitable for children aged 6 years+.

Choice of two sessions: 11.30am – 12 noon or 1 – 1.30pm
FREE – normal admission charges to ss Great Britain applies
ss Great Britain, Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, BS1 6TY
More details

Family Archive in Five: Brunel Institute

Learn about the history of the famous ss Great Britain through discovering rare and original artefacts and diaries and listening to family-friendly stories.

12.30 – 1.30pm (drop-in)
FREE – donations welcome
Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, BS1 6TY
More details

Banned Books Play Session: Marksbury Road Library

An event organised by South Bristol Toy Library and Children’s Scrapstore to celebrate free expression during ‘Banned Books Week’. There will be some crazy creations including book hedgehogs and dressing up in scrap!

Suitable for all ages.

2 – 4pm
Contribution of £2 per child / £1 per sibling to book a place. Under 1s free
To book a place email southbristoltoylibrary@gmail.com – limited places
Marksbury Road Library, BS3 5LG

John King Boat Trips: Bristol Harbour

Take a trip on the harbour on the John King, a 1935 diesel tug boat. Trips last about 30 minutes.

Adults £6, children £4
More details

Docks Heritage Weekend

A celebration of Bristol’s maritime past with events for all ages at M Shed and Underfall Yard.

Go up in the cranes, take a trip around the harbour on the John King diesel tug, experience life as a docker and learn the techniques of cargo handling as dramatic performances bring the story alive.

Travel in style between M Shed and Underfall Yard by jumping aboard a dedicated ferry or vintage bus for just £1.50 per journey.

This year, the Docks Heritage Weekend celebrations will focus on the 60th anniversary of the first ever container ship and the 50th anniversary of Bristol’s first container berth at M Shed.

Find out how Bristol is recycling shipping containers to create brand new restaurants and work spaces and explore the vital role shipping containers play in protecting Bristol.

11am – 5pm
Free – donations welcome
More details

Crane Rides on Bristol Harbourside

Trips inside the electric cranes or the Fairbairn Steam Crane on Bristol Harbourside. Trips last about 20 minutes.

Electric crane – £2, Fairbairn crane – free (donations welcome)
More details

SUNDAY 2nd OCTOBER

Apple Day: Grimsbury Farm, Kingswood

A free event for children and families. There will be apple pressing demonstrations where you will learn how apples, pears and grapes are turned into juice and pasteurised.

There will also be Mini Hot Air Balloons and refreshments to enjoy.

All welcome to come along and enjoy – please bring some apples with you.

Time: 11am – 4pm
Entry: FREE, plus free parking
Venue: Grimsbury Farm, Grimsbury Road, Kingswood, BS15 9SE
Visit: http://www.fogf.co.uk/

The Colour Fun Run: Oldbury Court, Fishponds

An event which involves running, walking or skipping plus powder paint and happy kids! Proceeds go to charity, Julian House.