What is Fantastic Families?
Fantastic For Families focusses on theatre performances, museums, film screenings, and events at multi-purpose arts centres around England and Wales.
The theme for the summer is the Great Outdoors, which encourages families to access arts and culture within the context of nature – be it outdoor performances or events which focus on the theme of nature.
This is so important, a recent study from the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WTT), found that children from poorer backgrounds were less interested in being outdoors in nature than better-off children. But WWT found this difference was overcome after just one day spent learning outside. “Young kids that learn and play outside get direct experience of weather and the seasons and wildlife – things that are only possible outdoors – and they get to assess risks, solve problems and develop creativity,” said Lucy Hellier, WWT learning project manager.”
Using the Fantastic for Families website
The wesbite for Fantastic for Families is great and really user friendly. I liked that you can go on and straight away you can pop in your postcode and it brings up all of the events in your area. I immediately saw that there is a Supertato event on at Seven Stories on August 15th that I had no idea about and will now go to. My 6 year old LOVES Supertato and has all the books.
I love that all the events showcased are really cultural and educational. I often worry that we don’t do enough to foster our children’s creativity in the iPad generation so this will help me to abate my guilt.
Personally, I don’t enjoy going to events targeted just at children. I love that these arts and culture events are for the whole family to enjoy, not just the children. They are so much more enjoyable to attend than a purely children’s event in my opinion.
What’s on in the North East?
There are about 3 webpages worth of organisations involved in the North East so you’ll find plenty of activities that you can visit. You will see organisations like Seven Stories, Chalk, Stephenson Railway, Beamish, Durham Cathedral, MIMA etc. I can see one family art network in the list in the North East in Sunderland.
Nationally
The website will be incredibly useful if you are visiting somewhere else in the UK. You could simply pop on and enter the postcode of where you are visiting and see what’s on when you are visiting. It’s so helpful!
Useful for parents and other carers
What I love about Fantastic for Families is not only is it a great resource for parents but other caregivers could use the site to plan a nice day out too. I often speak to grandparents who want to take children out but don’t know what’s on and where. I will definitely be sending the link to this to our parents for when they look after the kids. Lots of these events would be especially great for intergenerational days out.
Not for profit
Family Arts Campaign is a not-for-profit campaign that since 2011, has worked to increase the amount and range of cultural experiences available to families, improve the quality of experience for families taking part by supporting arts organisations to be family-friendly, and enable them to discover affordable and exciting events and activities in their local area.
They are supported by Arts Council England and every penny they raise is invested back into their work to fulfil their mission.
Supporting Fantastic for Families means that you help support them to reach as many families as possible across the country, especially those who might not have previously had an opportunity to experience the great work that is on offer in their local area.
Giveaway
Fantastic for Families are providing this awesome collection of nature themed children’s books for me to giveaway to one lucky follower. My kids would love these, I kinda wish I could keep them!
To be in with a chance of winning simply enter below:
Collection of nature themed children’s books
How to get involved
Visit Fantastic for Families and check out the events and sign up to their newsletter.
You can follow Fantastic for Families on their social media accounts below:
Disclaimer: This post was sponsored. For more details about my disclosure policy, please see my about page. Featured image was taken and gifted to us by Fiona Saxton Photography.
