All activities are free with spaces allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. On arrival at the garden, head to the booking marquee to reserve your place.
Community Kite Project Presents: Trapezium Kite Workshops (at the farmyard) - 11am-12.30pm & 1-2.30pm
Join CKP and learn how to make your very own kite. In this 80-minute workshop, CKP will supply you with all the materials you will need and guide you step by step on how to design and build your kite whilst giving you a whistle-stop history of kites throughout history and their place in cultures around the world.
You will also have time to artwork your kite making sure you will have a beautiful kite to fly and take home.
The workshop is aimed at 8-12yr olds. Children under 8 will need support from an adult throughout the workshop.
CKP Presents: Giant Indian Fighting Kite Workshops (at the farmyard) - 3-4.30pm
Come and join us as a family or group of friends to make a very special Giant Indian Fighting Kite. This 1m x 1m kite is a wonderful dancer in the sky and will give you the chance to learn all about the history and flight of a Patang (Indian Fighting Kite)!
In this 90 minute workshop, CKP supply you with all the materials you will need and guide you step by step on how to design and build your kite whilst teaching you how to launch, fly and control an Indian Fighting Kite. You will also have time to artwork your kite making sure you will have a beautiful kite to fly and take home.
Each family or group working together will make 1 kite. Each group must have at least one adult.
Note: These workshops will take place at the farmyard. Please book in at the garden to secure your place on a workshop and collect a timed entry ticket. Places on the workshops will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Access to the farmyard and adventure playground is included with all house and garden, and garden tickets.
Into Wilderness Bushcraft - all day
Develop a deeper understanding of nature through bushcraft. The team from Into Wilderness will share the skills perfected by our hunter-gather ancestors, including foraging on a nature walk; shelter building in the woods; primitive archery and woodcarving. There will also be the chance to hear tales of folklore and legend beneath an ancient tree.
Big Top Circus - all day
We'll be offering drop in circus skills workshops for all ages and abilities, every day of the festival. Come and learn how to juggle, hula hoop, spin a diablo, walk a tightwire and more.
Alongside this, you can make your own poi, learn how to use them and take them home to master.
We will also have four daily spectacular shows in our mini big top starring a world record breaking juggler, hula hooper, aerialist and contortionist.
Concerteenies - all day
Take part in interactive workshops and creative storytelling experiences throughout the garden with Concerteenies, a Sheffield-based award-winning producer of musical events and activities for children and their adults.
Pre-historic plant hunter walks - 11am-12noon, 1-2pm (relaxed session), 2.15-3.30pm
Join the learning team to explore the gardens for prehistoric plants and trees. Look for dinosaur lettuce in the bog garden, search out marine fossils in the rock garden and spot living fossils on the way. Meet at the diamond in the Kitchen Garden and finish off by making your own fossil to take home at the Stickyard.
Art at the Maze - all day
Express your creativity in these relaxed drop in art sessions, held in our activity tent by the maze. Inspired by nature, become mini artists and create beautiful masterpieces influenced by the garden around you.
Waterbattles - 11-11.20am, 1-1.20pm, 3-3.20pm
Grab a super soaker and see how many of your friends and family you can catch! At intervals throughout the day we will be having a timed waterbattle next to the Cascade. Keep your distance if you don’t want to get wet!
Mini Olympics - 10.30am-4.30pm
Need to burn off excess energy? Join in a series of games and activities designed to get you moving. Can you score the most goals or be the fastest in the race?
Also at the Chatsworth Family Festival...
Draw-along with Lydia Monks
Monday 27 May | Marquee
11am, 1pm, 3pm
Join best-selling children’s book author and illustrator Lydia Monks for a draw-along
Drawing workshop with Bethan Woollvin
Saturday 25 May | Marquee
11am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm
Join children’s book author and illustrator Bethan Woollvin for a beastly workshop focusing on her medieval adventure "I Can Catch a Monster".
Periscope and Kaleidoscope Workshops with Abigail Reynolds
Saturday and Sunday | Ring Pond
12.45 - 1.30pm
2 - 3.15pm
Join artist Abigail Reynolds for a periscope or kaleidoscope workshop, or a storytime session.
