Children & Family Events
Are you looking for something to do with your little ones? Check out the wide range of events in our Children's library - the best part is, most of them are free!
Special Events
Earth Day
Tuesday 15 April, 11am-3pm
Join us for a fun-filled day of activities to celebrate Earth Day! Get involved with print making and seed paper making, learn how to check water and air quality, try some new pulses, make a bug hotel, visit the poetry display and more with the friends of The Hive.
No need to book, just drop in.
Easter Holiday Activities
Super Story Times!
Every day at 3pm
Join us in the Children's Library every day for a story with our super story tellers.
Free, no need to book.
Book Bingo
Saturday 12, 19 and 26 April, 2pm
Free, no need to book.
Jigsaw Club
Sunday 13 April, 1pm-3pm
Free, no need to book.
Junk Modelling: Easter Animals
Monday 14 April, 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm
Free, no need to book.
Family Film Screening (PG)
Wednesday 16 April, 10am-12pm
Join us for a screening of a Roald Dahl classic about a little boy who finds a golden ticket inside a bar of chocolate. Parental supervision is required.
Book your free tickets here.
Make & Take: Easter Nests
Thursday 17 April, 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm
Design and decorate a colourful Easter nest, complete with a cute, fluffy chick! Suitable for children aged 4+ due to small parts. Parental supervision required.
Tickets are £1.50 each, book your tickets here.
Shakespeare Make & Take
Wednesday 23 April, 10am-11:30am
Join us in Shakespeare's enchanted forest to discover a world of fairies and magical creatures. Children can make their own fairy or tree inspired by The Hive's Shakespeare Play of 2025, A Midsummer Night's Dream, then join in with an interactive story time.
Tickets are £2 each, book your tickets here.
Regular events
Baby Bounce and Rhyme
Every Friday, 1pm-1:30pm
For ages 0-12 months
A gentle, social music making session aimed at new parents/carers and their babies.
Wacky Wednesdays
Every Wednesday, 1:30pm-3pm
For ages 0-5 years
A fun interactive stay and play session for children aged between 0 - 5 years. The session ends with story time at 2:45pm.
Bounce and Rhyme
Every Tuesday, 10am-10:30am and 2pm-2:30pm
Every Friday, 11am-11:30am
For ages 1-4 years
Fun and friendly Bounce and Rhyme session aimed at pre-school children and their parents and carers.
Pre-school groups/Nurseries please note, these sessions can get very busy. We would be happy to do a separate session for your group.
Rat-a-tat Tales
Every Saturday & Sunday, 11am and 3pm
For ages 4-8
Listen out for the rat-a-tat in the Children's library and get involved in interactive stories for your young family. Storytime is about to begin...
Lego Club
Every Saturday, 10am-11:30am
For ages 4+, fun for all the family
If you and your child love Lego as much as we do, why not come along to our Family Lego and Construction Club?
The club is designed for parents to have fun and engage with their children by building characters and structures from well-known tales. Most construction materials will be suitable for ages 4+. Places are FREE of charge and you don't need to book, just come along and join in the fun!
Little Sprouts
Last Sunday of each month, 1:30pm-2:30pm
For ages 4-8 years
An introductory gardening and nature club for families with children aged 4-8.
Places cost £1 per child and can be booked in advance. Drop-ins on the day are welcome, subject to availability.
Parental supervision is required.
The Illustrated Book Group
First Sunday of each month, 1:30pm-2:30pm
For families with children aged 8-12 years.
Calling all budding young illustrators! Families are invited to design their own book cover, story board or illustrated text while listening to a story for inspiration. Each session will have a different theme to help spark your creativity.
Book your family's free place here.
Please book 1 ticket per family group. Adult supervision is required.
Self-led Activities
Treasure Hunt
Take part in our popular weekly themed treasure hunts across the children’s library. Just ask a library assistant for details!
Sustainability Trail
The Hive is full of sustainable design features and we have developed a self-guided Sustainability Trail so that you can discover them.
Borrow a trail map and supporting notes from the pod in the children's library and find out more about The Hive's sustainable features. There are stickers on the windows/walls at each numbered point around the building. The trail starts in the café on Level 1.
