Children & Families events

Animal Agents Summer Reading Challenge 2017

This year's Summer Reading Challenge embraces the animal kingdom. The challenge, which is run by The Reading Agency, is encouraging all children aged 4 to 12 years to borrow and read six books between 24 June to 23 September.  

Every day during the holidays
Free activities will take place at The Hive everyday during the holidays between 10am to 3pm, including quizzes, games, colouring and trails, and a daily storytime at 11am and 2.45pm.

Rat-a-tat Tales
Our usual interactive Rat-a-tat Tales will run at 11am and 2.45pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays.

Become an Archaeologist for the Day

Children are invited to discover Worcestershire's ancient Ice Age past by digging for real archaeological objects in sandpits and identifying animal bones, children will learn about what kinds of animals lived in Worcestershire thousands of years ago at the Ice Age Animal Archaeology event.The event is a drop-in session taking place Thursday 17th August between 10am-3pm as part of the Summer Reading Challenge.

Every Thursday
Every Thursday from 27 July, 10am - 2pm on the hour every hour there is a chargeable (£2.50) activity linked to our weekly themes. Booking recommended.  Each session will last about 45 minutes during which children can learn how animals use their skills and instincts to help others and make an animal agent surprise to take home.

Animal Agent Senses, 17 August - book a place

Animal Agent Hideouts, 24 August - book a place

Animal Agent Defence, 31 August - book a place

Computer Coding for Children

Drop-in taster session introducing children aged 8 - 12 years to computer coding.

Friday 18 August - call in any time between 10am and 11.30am.

More sessions planned for October half term.

Explorers' Activity Day - Tue, 22 August

Come and explore with the Canal and River Trust.  Treasure trail around the library, crafts and fun activities for the family.

11am - 1pm

Young at Art

Exploring, listening, making 

Roald Dahl Day - Sat, 16 September

A scrumdiddlyumptious fun packed day to celebrate Roald Dahl’s birthday (13 September). Create a filthsome Mr Twit beard, design a gloriumptious party hat and take a photo in our special dress-up selfie station. Which Roald Dahl hero are you? Matilda, Billy, George or Charlie – find out in our Roald Dahl quiz. 

The Wind in The Willows - Sat, 30 September

Presented by Box Tale Soup From the peaceful pleasures of Ratty's beloved River Bank, to the fearful frights and wicked weasels of the Wild Wood, join Ratty and Mole on their marvellous adventures, along with gruff old Badger and magnificent Mr. Toad. A beautiful new adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's much love classic, The Wind in The Willows features unique handmade fabric puppets and a charming original score.  

Michael Rosen - Fri, 06 October

In celebration of The Hive's 5th birthday award-winning author Michael Rosen, who opened the children's library in 2012, is returning to The Hive during Beeline. Michael will be talking about and reading from his bestselling picture books and poetry. He will be signing books from 5pm, but WILL NOT be available to sign books after the event.

Space Day - Sat, 07 October

Join us for a day of space. Talk to experts, look through powerful telescopes, find out how astranauts live in Space and what it takes to launch a rocket. You can also enter the Design a Spaceship competition, hear local author Hazel Hiles reading from her children's book, Robbie the Rocket, as well as taking part in lots of fun, interactive and educational activities.

Suitable for children 5 years + and adults.

The Black Hole Mobile Planetarium

Find out more about our Sun, stars, solar system bodies and phases of the moon in this 40 minute presentation with projections and digital images. Suitable for children 5 to 11 years.

Presentations at 11am, 12.15pm, 1.15pm and 2.15pm.

Tickets £3.75 for children and £4 for adults. Booking essential. Reserve your seats.

Child Ticket

Adult Ticket

Unfortunately the planetarium does not have wheelchair access.

Space Day is organized by The Hive and West Midlands Interplanetary Society.

Story Pit Tales - Sat, 07 October Sat, 21 October 2017

On three Saturdays during the University of Worcester Beeline Storytelling Festival we will be joined by professional storytellers who will tell stories from around the world.

The Ugly Duckling

Presented by Sea Legs Puppet Theatre as part of Beeline. Meet a host of colourful characters, as they run the troubled duckling out of the farmyard into a cold, lonely wilderness. Journey through the seasons as the hapless creature finds his way in a hostile world. Set on the banks of a magical river, brilliant storytelling, fantastic puppets and a delightful new musical score make this a must see show.

Thursday 26 October, 11am & 2pm

Tickets are £4.00. Book your place here.

A Little Bit of Nature - Beeline Workshop - Fri, 27 October

Create your own very special book of nature with illustrator Sarah Millin who will encourage you to draw and collage through exploration of the magic of everyday waste materials. You will be taught the elements of how to write a book, using words and pictures. The workshop is designed for parents and children (children need to be accompanied).