WELCOME TO MUM'S GUIDE TO HARPENDEN!
From bumps to teens, we have it covered! This is your one-stop site for everything you need to know about living in Harpenden with children. We're number one for information about what's on, things to do and children's activities locally!
NEW - you can now add RECOMMENDATIONS for your favourite businesses! You asked for it, and we listened! Just visit the listing you want to recommend and click the "Recommend this" button. You'll be asked to register the first time and then you can add recommendations for as many businesses as you like.
Harpenden Expedition Club Open Evening
(FREE)
22nd May
Harpenden Trust Hall, Harpenden
milknfizz:Let's Talk About Sleep
22nd May
St Michael's Manor Hotel, St Albans
The challenges of parenting teens and tweens
25th May
Batchwood Sports Centre, St Albans
Spring Bank Holiday Fun Fair
25th May
- 28th May
Harpenden Common, Harpenden
Herts County Show
26th May
- 27th May
Herts County Showground, St Albans
IWM Duxford Air Festival 2018
26th May
- 27th May
IWM Duxford, Duxford
Colourscape
26th May
- 3rd June
Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury
Look at Life
26th May
- 27th May
Milton Keynes Museum, Milton Keynes
Whatever the Weather
26th May
Luton Library Theatre, Luton
Glaze Time Saturday Pottery Painting
26th May
Skew Bridge , Harpedende
Spring Special
26th May
- 3rd June
Willows Activity Farm, St Albans
Whatever The Weather
26th May
Luton Library Theatre, Luton
Dear Zoo
26th May
- 27th May
The Grove Theatre, Dunstable
Superheroes and Villains at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
26th May
- 3rd June
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable
Family Fun on the Farm
26th May
- 3rd June
Aldenham Country Park Farm, Elstree
Wrest at War
27th May
- 28th May
Wrest Park, Luton
Harpenden Farmer's Market
(FREE)
27th May
Lower High Street, Harpenden
Teddy's Train Ride
27th May
- 28th May
Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Aylesbury
TOT Fest 2018!
27th May
Hitchin Priory, Hitchin
Roman Gladiators
27th May
- 28th May
Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles
Reptile Week
27th May
- 1st June
Mead Open Farm, Billington
Cloth, Paper, Collage - family workshop with artist Connie Flynn
27th May
Mill Green Museum, Hatfield
Summer Half Term @ Milton Keynes Museum
28th May
- 1st June
Milton Keynes Museum, Milton Keynes
Messy mono-printing
28th May
Welwyn Roman Baths, Welwyn Bypass
Dr Dolittle
28th May
The Sandpit Theatre, St Albans
Half term trail and crafts
28th May
- 1st June
Ashridge Estate, Ringshall, Near Berkhamst
Flying Googles Workshop
28th May
- 1st June
RAF Museum London, Hendon
Redbourn in Steam
(FREE)
28th May
Redbourn Village Museum, Redbourn
Marvellous May Trail
28th May
- 1st June
Dunstable Downs, Dunstable
Handa's Surprise Story Trail
(FREE)
28th May
- 9th June
Lewsey Library, Luton
Handa's Surprise Story Trail
(FREE)
28th May
- 9th June
Marsh Farm Library, Luton
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Story Trail
(FREE)
28th May
- 9th June
Leagrave Library, Luton
Milkshake! Live 'The Magic Story Book'
28th May
The Radlett Centre, Radlett
Creepy Critter Week
28th May
- 1st June
Standalone Farm, Letchworth Garden City
See Skye from Paw Patrol
28th May
Woburn Safari Park, Milton Keynes
Harpenden Library are once again looking for volunteers aged 14-25 to help with the running of the Summer Reading Challenge during the summer holidays. Typically this involves talking to chldren and famiies about the scheme and encouraging them to sign up, talking to the children about the books they have read and helping them to choose new books. Contact Hertfordshire Libraries for more information or to apply. Applications must be made by 8th July 2018.
Full House Theatre presents a fizzgiggious show at Hertford Theatre all about where, what and who our family really are.
To be in with a chance of winning email [email protected] before midnight Thursday 24th May 2018! Full terms and conditions available here.
Join Owly-cat and fellow family members, Jumblie and Quangle Wangle Quee, in a story inspired by the nonsense world of Edward Lear. The spongetaneous trio travel to the dolomphious land where the bong tree grows, learning all about the creatures who live there and their curious habits. Will this meloobious family return together, will they always be a three?
What audiences have said about The Owl and the Pussycat:
“Theatre that makes you feel alive”
“Excellent. It just held you somehow. It was magical”
“The reinterpretation of the story was a surprise but it was brilliant. Really enjoyed it”.
“My children loved it! They want to see it again! Loved the songs, set and costumes”
With music by award winning composer Rebecca Applin and design by renowned theatre designer Sophia Lovell Smith (Polka Theatre, National Theatre, South Bank Centre), don’t miss out on this new show, a story that’s sure to delight and surprise young and old alike.
For further details and booking information go to www.hertfordtheatre.com
Full House Theatre is a Bedfordshire based theatre company and arts charity
Our vision is for every child to hold treasured memories of theatre. We work with children, young people and their families in schools, theatres, community spaces and other venues. We are producers of children’s theatre festivals Feb Fest, June Arts Jam and Houghton Regis Hullabaloo. www.fullhouse.org.uk
By entering this competition you are confirming that your are over 16 years of age.
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Featuring two bank holidays, some favourite annual events, half term and a whole host of family fun in between, May is positively bursting at the seams with great activities and things to do!
This year Kimpton May Festival celebrates 50 years with its "Around the World in 80 ways" theme, 4-7 May. A range of events and activities span the weekend, but the traditional procession and arena events including Maypole dancing and falconry, take place on the Saturday. There is also a Dog Show on Sunday and Village Green activities on the Monday.
You can find more traditional May Day entertainment at Chiltern Open Air Museum in their Elizabethan May Day Merriment event on 6 & 7 May and at British Schools Museum, Hitchin where there will be Maypole and country dancing on 7 May.
Brambleton Model Railway Club are holding a Spring Open Day at their site at Highfield Oval on 12 May. This is always a hit with little ones, as well as any model train enthusiasts. Just discovering the site hidden away where it is, feels somewhat magical!
If your child prefers dinosaurs to trains then Dino Adventure Day at Knebworth House, also on 12 May, sounds right up their street. Featuring a dinosaur trail, hands-on reptile encounters, hunting for fossils and dinosaur artefacts this is sure to please any budding palaeontologist.
Back in Harpenden, again on 12 May you can get up close and personal with some much smaller creatures at the Batford Springs Family Open Day to celebrate the opening of the new Nature Reserve Centre. The afternoon will include free activities such as bug hunting, pond dipping and wildlife crafts.
12 - 13 May is an incredibly busy weekend, because if none of that takes your fancy then you might like to take advantage of the first Great British Tennis Weekend of the summer and enjoy some free tennis sessions at Harpenden Sports Centre, Harpenden LTC or Redbourn Tennis Club.
And we’re not even halfway through the month yet!
New in town this month is Luna Cinema bringing their outdoor cinema to Harpenden Common on the weekend of 18 – 20 May, showing The Greatest Showman (PG), Dirty Dancing (12A) and Top Gun (12A) – something for everyone there!
Or how about this for two very different experiences in one weekend… 26 & 27 May brings us the annual Herts County Show, at the County Showground in Redbourn, showcasing all that is wonderful about farming, agriculture, food and entertainment in the county; and on 27 May Tot Fest! brings a whole festival just for under 5s and their parents, including everything from live shows to a baby rave, workshops, messy play and a sports village!
And last, but definitely not least, 28 May to 1 June is half term week. There are far too many activities going on that week to mention them all here, but take a look at our events page for a full rundown – crafts, trails, theatre, hands-on, it’s all going on!
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If you are new to Harpenden, or a new or expectant parent, then here's our essential guide and top tips for living in Harpenden with children...
Here's the latest recommendations from our visitors and followers. If you'd like to add a recommendation for a business or organisation search for their listing here on the site and click on the Recommend This button.
Baby Sensory
"Very useful session to a first time mum who hadn't yet figured out to entertain a baby with random stuff around the house. Enjoyable songs and activities with the lovely Laura and Maddy. I came away with many ideas for things to do at home."
Hartbeeps
"Amazingly crazy, different themes each week and cheerful songs that you just can't help but join in with. My daughter loves it and I will be very sad when the time comes that we can no longer attend. Andrea is a huge credit to childrens' entertainment."
Need some help deciding where to go and what to do? Read about the places we've tried and tested...
A hop, skip and a putt away in the Lost World
Visiting Bletchley Park - home of the codebreakers
Exhausting our little duracell bunnies at Better Extreme Trampoline Park!
Wardown House is a step back in time using fantastic futuristic tools
Plane-spotting at RAF Museum London
What do you get if you cross football and golf?
History on our doorstep at Verulamium Museum
Rain or shine Stockwood Discovery Centre is always a hit
Why not browse through some of the listings we have recently added to the site...
Activities, clubs & classes
Toddler CityEducation & childcare
Watling View School (Special Needs)Other businesses (inc. Shopping & Eating)
Training Tails LtdHealth & Wellbeing
Harpenden Pregnancy ClubHoliday clubs & classes
Ultimate ActivityParties & Celebrations
Bar Azita
Take time out and read through some of our articles...
Enjoy the great outdoors this summer... without breaking the bank
Summer in (and around) Harpenden - Family events not to miss!
Welcome to Parenthood in Harpenden!
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