This weekend is set to be a good one – it’s full of fun events and activities for children and families, with lots of free events too.

There’s a medieval pageant and picnic, live classical music in a baby-friendly environment, a chance for kids to become skeleton sleuths for the day, a family magic show, traffic-free cycling, crane rides, Elizabethan music, plus a chance to meet a real pliosaurus dinosaur!

Please see my list of weekend fun for kids in and near Bristol below and if you find it helpful do give my Facebook Page a like – this will keep you updated with even more local events coming up over the Summer holidays!

SATURDAY

Lilliput Concert: Redland Park United Reformed Church

Live classical music especially for families with young children. A relaxed, baby-friendly environment where grown-ups and children can enjoy 40 minutes of the best classical music on offer without having to worry about little ones sitting still or being quiet!

All members of the family are welcome, from newborn babies through to great grannies.

Young children will be actively encouraged to get up close to the performers and their instruments and join in with the music-making and dancing on stage!

As always, the concert will be followed by quality coffee and delicious cake.

• 10.30 – 11.30am
• Redland Park United Reformed Church, Whiteladies Road, BS6 6SA
• To find out more & book tickets visit http://www.lilliputconcerts.org.uk/

Skeleton Spectacular: M Shed

A chance for children to become skeleton detectives for the day at this free family event with lots of great skeleton-related activities to enjoy.

• 11am – 4pm (drop-in)
• Pay what you think
• M Shed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Road, BS1 4RN
• More details

Family Comedy and Magic Show at Smoke & Mirrors

A Family Comedy and Magic Show especially for families with children aged 8+ which is held at Smoke & Mirrors, the UK’s Only Boutique Magic Theatre Pub. From the moment you walk through the door to when you leave you can enjoy full-blown magical entertainment!

On entering Smoke & Mirrors you will be greeted by the in-house close-up magician who will bamboozle you with great drinks and our welcoming staff will be on hand to look after your drinks and food requirements.

At 4.15pm you will be invited to enter the Smoke & Mirrors 1920s-style theatre seating just 48; it’s cosy and the atmosphere is electric! The Smoke & Mirrors theatre host will seat you at your table and take your interval drinks for you.

Once all guests are seated the show starts at 4.30pm, with the Smoke & Mirrors resident compere guiding you with what you are about to witness. You will then be treated to 90 minutes of fantastic magic and comedy with two Smoke & Mirrors House Magicians!

• Time: 4.30 – 6.30pm
• Venue: Smoke & Mirrors, 8 Denmark Street, BS1 5DQ
• BOOK TICKETS

Why The Whales Came: Tobacco Factory Theatres

A family-friendly performance at tobacco Factory Theatres. Multi award-winning performer and storyteller Danyah Miller vividly brings to life this enchanting tale by Michael Morpurgo.

Created by the same team behind the acclaimed and much-loved production of I Believe in Unicorns, Why The Whales Came is brought to you by Wizard Presents and is full of fun, mystery and adventure.

Children Gracie and Daniel have been forbidden to go near the mysterious and seemingly dangerous Birdman. But messages and clues intrigue them and, after being lost at sea in the fog and stranded on his tiny island, they begin to unravel the Birdman’s secrets, the villagers’ fears and superstitions and learn why the whales came to the island.

Described by Michael Morpurgo himself as a “storytelling phenomenon”, we can’t wait for Danyah Miller to bring this beautiful story for children to life this summer.

• Sat 15 July 11.30am & 2.30pm
• Tue 11 – Fri 14 July, 1pm & 7pm
• Relaxed Performance Thu 13 July 1pm
• Tickets £9
• Age recommendation 7+
• Running time 1 hour
• BOOK TICKETS

Meet a Pliosaurus at Bristol Museum

A chance for children and families to dive into Bristol’s Jurassic sea, travel back in time 150 million years and come face to face with a real life 8 metre long Pliosaurus!

The Pliosaurus – aka Doris – was discovered in Westbury Wiltshire in 1994 and her fossil is one of the world’s most complete. This will be the first time she has been on public display.

Children can touch her skin, listen to her heartbeat and smell her disgusting breath! Ideal for children aged 3 – 11.

• Exhibition open from 17th June – 7th January 2018, Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm
• ‘Pay what you think’ – tickets can be collected from museum’s Box Office on the day
• Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Queens Road, BS8 1RL
• More details

Skeletons: Our Buried Bones at M Shed

An exciting new free exhibition at M Shed Bristol revealing how Bristolians lived thousands of years ago, Skeletons: Our Buried Bones will display six skeletons discovered in Bristol alongside six skeletons from the Museum of London’s 20,000-strong collection, bringing to life stories long hidden beneath the ground.

M Shed is open Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 5pm in term-time. It is closed on Mondays except on bank holiday Mondays and Mondays during the school holidays. Last entry to Skeletons: Our Buried Bones will be 45 minutes before closing.

• Exhibition will be at M Shed until 3rd September 2017
• Pay what you think
• Drop-in
• More details

Crane Rides: M Shed

Experience a working crane on the dockside with trips inside the electric cranes and the Fairbairn steam crane, M Shed’s biggest exhibits! Trips last approximately 20 minutes.

• All day
• Electric crane rides: £2 / Fairbairn steam crane rides: free, but donations welcome
• Princes Wharf, Wapping Road, BS1 4RN
• More details

Songs from Shakespeare: The Red Lodge Museum

A selection of Elizabethan airs and dances made popular through Shakespeare’s dramatic productions.

The Red Lodge was built in 1580 as a venue for banquets and entertainment for the nearby Great House.

It is contemporary with Shakespeare who was born in 1564 and guests at the Lodge at the end of the century may have been familiar with some of these songs.

• 12 – 1pm (drop-in)
• Free (donations welcome)
• The Red Lodge Museum, Park Row, BS1 5LJ
• More details

Broadcaster and founder of Freelance Mum, Faye Dicker gives an introduction to podcasting for business. From the nuts and bolts to getting started, to getting the most out of an interview, with over 20 years in the media industry, Faye can make you a podcasting superstar!

SUNDAY

Cycle Sunday 2017: Durdham Downs, Clifton

A morning of traffic-free cycling on the Downs. This year’s Cycle Sunday will build on the success of the previous events, encouraging people of all ages to get on their bikes and enjoy cycling in a sociable, safe way. You can also enjoy super pedal-powered smoothies, paint spinning and much more!

• From 10am – 2pm
• Sign up via Eventbrite
• More details

Filton Community Garden Summer Fete

Something for everyone including lots of free activities for children. Punch and Judy, bug hunt, traditional games, plant sale, cakes and much more.

• 12 – 4pm
• Top corner of Elm Park, Filton BS34 7PS
• More details

Meet a Pliosaurus at Bristol Museum

A chance for children and families to dive into Bristol’s Jurassic sea, travel back in time 150 million years and come face to face with a real life 8 metre long Pliosaurus!

The Pliosaurus – aka Doris – was discovered in Westbury Wiltshire in 1994 and her fossil is one of the world’s most complete. This will be the first time she has been on public display.

Children can touch her skin, listen to her heartbeat and smell her disgusting breath! Ideal for children aged 3 – 11.

• Exhibition open from 17th June – 7th January 2018, Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm
• ‘Pay what you think’ – tickets can be collected from museum’s Box Office on the day
• Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Queens Road, BS8 1RL
• More details

Skeletons: Our Buried Bones at M Shed

An exciting new free exhibition at M Shed Bristol revealing how Bristolians lived thousands of years ago, Skeletons: Our Buried Bones will display six skeletons discovered in Bristol alongside six skeletons from the Museum of London’s 20,000-strong collection, bringing to life stories long hidden beneath the ground.

M Shed is open Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 5pm in term-time. It is closed on Mondays except on bank holiday Mondays and Mondays during the school holidays. Last entry to Skeletons: Our Buried Bones will be 45 minutes before closing.

• Exhibition will be at M Shed until 3rd September 2017
• Pay what you think
• Drop-in
• More details

Crane Rides: M Shed

Experience a working crane on the dockside with trips inside the electric cranes and the Fairbairn steam crane, M Shed’s biggest exhibits! Trips last approximately 20 minutes.

• Electric crane rides: £2 / Fairbairn steam crane rides: free, but donations welcome
• Princes Wharf, Wapping Road, BS1 4RN
• More details

Behind the Scenes Tours at Bristol Museum

Join the museum’s curators on a behind the scenes tours of the World Cultures collection. Tours take place at 11.30am, 2pm and 3pm and last approximately 30 minutes.

Limited places. Age 7+ with accompanying adult.

• 11.30am – 4pm
• Free (donations welcome)
• More details

Bristol Independents Summer Fete: Memorial Stadium, Filton

Bristol’s first, and only, summer celebration of everything that the independent establishments of the city can offer comes to the Memorial Stadium on Saturday 15th July & Sunday 16th July.

A free event and opportunity for the entire community of Bristol to sample a vast array of food, drink and crafts by many independents working throughout the city and a celebration of our great city’s community projects and cultural diversity.

There will also be live music all day, activities for all the family put on by many of the great community projects and charities in Bristol, plus a fun fair and face painting!

Great food, drink and crafts, plus tasty treats, an array of handmade and finely polished crafts and plenty of stalls.

• Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th July
• 10am – 6pm
• Free entry
• Memorial Stadium, Filton Ave, BS7 0BF
• More details