COVID-19 Update: During lockdown all in-person events are cancelled, however we are continuing to add virtual events to our page.
Welcome to your essential guide to what's on for children and families over the next few months in and around St Albans. We also regularly post events, things to do and other news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
If you are running an event for families or children that you would like to list here please complete our online form to send us the details.
We do our best to ensure dates, timings and details about events on this page are accurate. However, to avoid unnecessary disappointment please do double check details before setting off!
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Tuesday 26th January
#DrawWithRob - archive Episode
Virtual Event
Tue 26th January 2021
10.00
Every Tuesday at 10am during lockdown artist Rob Biddulph will be posting an episode of #DrawWithRob from the archive.
Family Fun Activity with Naomi
Virtual Event
Tue 26th January 2021
15.00
Join Naomi every Tuesday at 3pm for ideas for fun activities to do at home with your little ones.
Theatre of Science: Home Ed Science!
Virtual Event
Tue 26th January 2021
13.30
I'm a physics teacher streaming free, live, award winning lessons for under 13s! Visit the Facebook page for details of what you will need for each lesson. There will be a Home-Ed lesson live every Tuesday and the same lesson repeated live again on a Wednesday.
Print outs of the questions/activities will be posted in this group, usually the day before the lesson: https://www.facebook.com/groups/641324300051295
BBC Lockdown Learning
Virtual Event
Mon 25th January 2021 - Fri 29th January 2021
BBC is showing 3 hours of primary educational content and 2 hours of secondary content on TV on weekdays during lockdown. Click on the image to see this week's timetable.
Captain Fantastic - Fantastic Toddlers (1-3 years)
Virtual Event
Tue 26th January 2021
10.00
Join the most popular toddler session on the internet! Packed full of Singing, Nursery Rhymes, Magic, Wellbeing and Dancing!
Proudly voted the UK's #1 Children's entertainment company and recently featured on The BBC, Sky News, The Telegraph & Heart Radio
Zoom Abbey Tots
Virtual Event
Tue 26th January 2021
10.00 - 11.00
Returning for 2021 | Zoom Abbey Tots - Our Youth Chaplain, Kim, is bringing Abbey Tots to your homes.
This virtual group is for parents and carers with pre-school age children. Starting on Tuesday 19 January, Abbey Tots will meet online every Tuesday morning between 10am and 11am.
Drop in and out as you wish and stay for as little or as long as you like. Expect stories, activities, songs and even a virtual snack time. Babies and toddlers - plus their grown ups - are all very welcome to join us.
You will need to download Zoom on your electronic device to join this meeting. For login details, please contact our Youth Chaplain at [email protected]
Tiny T's Book Club
Virtual Event
Tue 26th January 2021
15.00
Dancing, songs and book recommendations from Tara. Live on Facebook and Instagram every week during lockdown
The Rock Project - Free Lockdown Learning
Virtual Event
Mon 25th January 2021 - Fri 29th January 2021
11.00 & 17.00
Join every weekday at 11am and 5pm for a free 15min music lesson. Beginner & intermediate guitar, drums, bass and vocals. Visit the website to sign up and see the timetable. Lessons will be via a Facebook group. For ages 7-18.
Wednesday 27th January
BBC Lockdown Learning
Virtual Event
Mon 25th January 2021 - Fri 29th January 2021
BBC is showing 3 hours of primary educational content and 2 hours of secondary content on TV on weekdays during lockdown. Click on the image to see this week's timetable.
The Rock Project - Free Lockdown Learning
Virtual Event
Mon 25th January 2021 - Fri 29th January 2021
11.00 & 17.00
Join every weekday at 11am and 5pm for a free 15min music lesson. Beginner & intermediate guitar, drums, bass and vocals. Visit the website to sign up and see the timetable. Lessons will be via a Facebook group. For ages 7-18.
Thursday 28th January
BBC Lockdown Learning
Virtual Event
Mon 25th January 2021 - Fri 29th January 2021
BBC is showing 3 hours of primary educational content and 2 hours of secondary content on TV on weekdays during lockdown. Click on the image to see this week's timetable.
The Rock Project - Free Lockdown Learning
Virtual Event
Mon 25th January 2021 - Fri 29th January 2021
11.00 & 17.00
Join every weekday at 11am and 5pm for a free 15min music lesson. Beginner & intermediate guitar, drums, bass and vocals. Visit the website to sign up and see the timetable. Lessons will be via a Facebook group. For ages 7-18.
Friday 29th January
BBC Lockdown Learning
Virtual Event
Mon 25th January 2021 - Fri 29th January 2021
BBC is showing 3 hours of primary educational content and 2 hours of secondary content on TV on weekdays during lockdown. Click on the image to see this week's timetable.
Future Architect’s Club - Straw Bridges
Virtual Event
Fri 29th January 2021
Local company Uskuri Theobald Architects are launching a Future Architect's Club to run for 4 weeks during lockdown. Children are invited to try out the weekly project which will be posted on their Facebook page on a Friday. Check out the instructions and the explanation videos. Submit photos of their efforts by commenting on the post and they could be with the chance of win an Amazon voucher! This week's challenge is Straw bridges! The deadline for each week's project is 5pm the following Thursday.
The Rock Project - Free Lockdown Learning
Virtual Event
Mon 25th January 2021 - Fri 29th January 2021
11.00 & 17.00
Join every weekday at 11am and 5pm for a free 15min music lesson. Beginner & intermediate guitar, drums, bass and vocals. Visit the website to sign up and see the timetable. Lessons will be via a Facebook group. For ages 7-18.
Saturday 30th January
Tails from the Zoo
Virtual Event
Sat 30th January 2021 - Sun 31st January 2021
18.30
Zookeepers at ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos have swapped their brooms for books to launch a series of virtual bedtime stories - in a bid to keep their beloved animals in touch with their youngest fans during the nationwide lockdown.
The Tails from the Zoo will be available to watch online on the Zoos' official Facebook pages each weekend from Saturday 16 January until Sunday 21 February, with a different animal-inspired story told from the two zoos' most popular exhibits every Saturday and Sunday evening.
Featuring children's classics such as The Tiger who came to Tea, told in the company of Sumatran tigers Asim and Gaysha, animals are at the heart of each storytelling session that have been specially chosen to keep the charity zoos' younger fans entertained... Read more
Sunday 31st January
Learn to Draw Among Us with Simon Hetherington
Virtual Event
Sun 31st January 2021
16.30
Learn how to draw the characters and scenery of the smash hit game Among Us.
Join children's author & illustrator Simon Hetherington for this exclusive class!
The only equipment required to talk part is some paper and pens.
This event is suitable for all ages. Cost £9.99 per household.
Virtually Impossible - online magic show
Virtual Event
Sun 31st January 2021
7:30pm
Join St Albans magician Tony Middleton 'Sonic', for an amazing interactive magic experience live from the comfort of your home.
Streaming live from the historic Sheraton Grand Park Lane in London, you will experience Victorian illusions, mind-reading, and sleight of hand demonstrations that will blow your mind. Yes that's right - even across the internet impossible things will occur. And when the magic involves you directly at home, you'll wonder if it's real witchcraft, or simply... virtually impossible! What's more, you'll get a sneak peek into the private areas of this iconic Art Deco hotel - which the public rarely gets to see. Now that's a treat for all the family.
Tony Middleton 'Sonic' has bee a resident of St Albans for over 10 years, and is one of the few people who makes... Read more
Tails from the Zoo
Virtual Event
Sat 30th January 2021 - Sun 31st January 2021
18.30
Zookeepers at ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos have swapped their brooms for books to launch a series of virtual bedtime stories - in a bid to keep their beloved animals in touch with their youngest fans during the nationwide lockdown.
The Tails from the Zoo will be available to watch online on the Zoos' official Facebook pages each weekend from Saturday 16 January until Sunday 21 February, with a different animal-inspired story told from the two zoos' most popular exhibits every Saturday and Sunday evening.
Featuring children's classics such as The Tiger who came to Tea, told in the company of Sumatran tigers Asim and Gaysha, animals are at the heart of each storytelling session that have been specially chosen to keep the charity zoos' younger fans entertained... Read more
Tuesday 2nd February
Zoom Abbey Tots
via Zoom
Tue 2nd February 2021
10.00 - 11.00
Returning for 2021 | Zoom Abbey Tots - Our Youth Chaplain, Kim, is bringing Abbey Tots to your homes. This virtual group is for parents and carers with pre-school age children. Starting on Tuesday 19 January, Abbey Tots will meet online every Tuesday morning between 10am and 11am. Drop in and out as you wish and stay for as little or as long as you like. Expect stories, activities, songs and even a virtual snack time. Babies and toddlers - plus their grown ups - are all very welcome to join us. You will need to download Zoom on your electronic device to join this meeting. For login details, please contact our Youth Chaplain at [email protected]
Saturday 6th February
Tails from the Zoo
Virtual Event
Sat 6th February 2021 - Sun 7th February 2021
18.30
Zookeepers at ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos have swapped their brooms for books to launch a series of virtual bedtime stories - in a bid to keep their beloved animals in touch with their youngest fans during the nationwide lockdown.
The Tails from the Zoo will be available to watch online on the Zoos' official Facebook pages each weekend from Saturday 16 January until Sunday 21 February, with a different animal-inspired story told from the two zoos' most popular exhibits every Saturday and Sunday evening.
Featuring children's classics such as The Tiger who came to Tea, told in the company of Sumatran tigers Asim and Gaysha, animals are at the heart of each storytelling session that have been specially chosen to keep the charity zoos' younger fans entertained... Read more
Sunday 7th February
Tails from the Zoo
Virtual Event
Sat 6th February 2021 - Sun 7th February 2021
18.30
Zookeepers at ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos have swapped their brooms for books to launch a series of virtual bedtime stories - in a bid to keep their beloved animals in touch with their youngest fans during the nationwide lockdown.
The Tails from the Zoo will be available to watch online on the Zoos' official Facebook pages each weekend from Saturday 16 January until Sunday 21 February, with a different animal-inspired story told from the two zoos' most popular exhibits every Saturday and Sunday evening.
Featuring children's classics such as The Tiger who came to Tea, told in the company of Sumatran tigers Asim and Gaysha, animals are at the heart of each storytelling session that have been specially chosen to keep the charity zoos' younger fans entertained... Read more
Tuesday 9th February
Zoom Abbey Tots
via Zoom
Tue 9th February 2021
10.00 - 11.00
Returning for 2021 | Zoom Abbey Tots - Our Youth Chaplain, Kim, is bringing Abbey Tots to your homes. This virtual group is for parents and carers with pre-school age children. Starting on Tuesday 19 January, Abbey Tots will meet online every Tuesday morning between 10am and 11am. Drop in and out as you wish and stay for as little or as long as you like. Expect stories, activities, songs and even a virtual snack time. Babies and toddlers - plus their grown ups - are all very welcome to join us. You will need to download Zoom on your electronic device to join this meeting. For login details, please contact our Youth Chaplain at [email protected]
Saturday 13th February
Tails from the Zoo
Virtual Event
Sat 13th February 2021 - Sun 14th February 2021
18.30
Zookeepers at ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos have swapped their brooms for books to launch a series of virtual bedtime stories - in a bid to keep their beloved animals in touch with their youngest fans during the nationwide lockdown.
The Tails from the Zoo will be available to watch online on the Zoos' official Facebook pages each weekend from Saturday 16 January until Sunday 21 February, with a different animal-inspired story told from the two zoos' most popular exhibits every Saturday and Sunday evening.
Featuring children's classics such as The Tiger who came to Tea, told in the company of Sumatran tigers Asim and Gaysha, animals are at the heart of each storytelling session that have been specially chosen to keep the charity zoos' younger fans entertained... Read more
Sunday 14th February
Tails from the Zoo
Virtual Event
Sat 13th February 2021 - Sun 14th February 2021
18.30
Zookeepers at ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos have swapped their brooms for books to launch a series of virtual bedtime stories - in a bid to keep their beloved animals in touch with their youngest fans during the nationwide lockdown.
The Tails from the Zoo will be available to watch online on the Zoos' official Facebook pages each weekend from Saturday 16 January until Sunday 21 February, with a different animal-inspired story told from the two zoos' most popular exhibits every Saturday and Sunday evening.
Featuring children's classics such as The Tiger who came to Tea, told in the company of Sumatran tigers Asim and Gaysha, animals are at the heart of each storytelling session that have been specially chosen to keep the charity zoos' younger fans entertained... Read more
Monday 15th February
Workshop with Cabaret Mechanical Theatre
Virtual Event
Mon 15th February 2021
11.00
In partnership with St Albans Museum + Gallery an online programme of automata making workshops has been made possible by CMT's Arts Council England's, Culture Recovery Funding. During February half term CMT will run two Family Workshops combining creative fun with cams, cranks using cardboard and recycled junk to create delightful moving sculptures.
Using a box, pre-made parts, chopsticks and various bits and pieces, participants make a cam drive mechanism which bursts into kinetic life at the turn of a handle. Individual designs and decorations are inspired from the flow of the movement, using a variety of art/craft materials. The mechanical parts are all push-fit and can be adjusted to enable experimenting with different cam formations and profiles as part of learning about... Read more
Tuesday 16th February
Zoom Abbey Tots
via Zoom
Tue 16th February 2021
10.00 - 11.00
Returning for 2021 | Zoom Abbey Tots - Our Youth Chaplain, Kim, is bringing Abbey Tots to your homes. This virtual group is for parents and carers with pre-school age children. Starting on Tuesday 19 January, Abbey Tots will meet online every Tuesday morning between 10am and 11am. Drop in and out as you wish and stay for as little or as long as you like. Expect stories, activities, songs and even a virtual snack time. Babies and toddlers - plus their grown ups - are all very welcome to join us. You will need to download Zoom on your electronic device to join this meeting. For login details, please contact our Youth Chaplain at [email protected]
Wednesday 17th February
Workshop with Cabaret Mechanical Theatre
Virtual Event
Wed 17th February 2021
11.00
In partnership with St Albans Museum + Gallery an online programme of automata making workshops has been made possible by CMT's Arts Council England's, Culture Recovery Funding. During February half term CMT will run two Family Workshops combining creative fun with cams, cranks using cardboard and recycled junk to create delightful moving sculptures.
Using a box, pre-made parts, chopsticks and various bits and pieces, participants make a cam drive mechanism which bursts into kinetic life at the turn of a handle. Individual designs and decorations are inspired from the flow of the movement, using a variety of art/craft materials. The mechanical parts are all push-fit and can be adjusted to enable experimenting with different cam formations and profiles as part of learning about... Read more
Friday 19th February
Recycling Collage Workshop
Virtual Event
Fri 19th February 2021
11.00
Join local artist, Sarah Moroney, for a workshop for children aged 4+ and their families focusing on colour and shape through collage. Inspired by our online exhibition Hertfordshire Open 2020, your children will be guided to think about how these artists made such beautiful work, and use this to spark their own creativity.
For the workshop you will need:
- A large piece of plain card, paper or fabric for each child taking part
- Scissors
- Glue
- Collection of materials: old magazines, greetings cards, newspapers, tin foil, packaging, tissue paper, fabric scraps, ribbons, buttons, beads, bottle tops, flyers, wrapping paper, etc. Ideally with a colour theme, but that's not essential.
- A camera (optional)... Read more
Saturday 20th February
Tails from the Zoo
Virtual Event
Sat 20th February 2021 - Sun 21st February 2021
18.30
Zookeepers at ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos have swapped their brooms for books to launch a series of virtual bedtime stories - in a bid to keep their beloved animals in touch with their youngest fans during the nationwide lockdown.
The Tails from the Zoo will be available to watch online on the Zoos' official Facebook pages each weekend from Saturday 16 January until Sunday 21 February, with a different animal-inspired story told from the two zoos' most popular exhibits every Saturday and Sunday evening.
Featuring children's classics such as The Tiger who came to Tea, told in the company of Sumatran tigers Asim and Gaysha, animals are at the heart of each storytelling session that have been specially chosen to keep the charity zoos' younger fans entertained... Read more
Sunday 21st February
Tails from the Zoo
Virtual Event
Sat 20th February 2021 - Sun 21st February 2021
18.30
Zookeepers at ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos have swapped their brooms for books to launch a series of virtual bedtime stories - in a bid to keep their beloved animals in touch with their youngest fans during the nationwide lockdown.
The Tails from the Zoo will be available to watch online on the Zoos' official Facebook pages each weekend from Saturday 16 January until Sunday 21 February, with a different animal-inspired story told from the two zoos' most popular exhibits every Saturday and Sunday evening.
Featuring children's classics such as The Tiger who came to Tea, told in the company of Sumatran tigers Asim and Gaysha, animals are at the heart of each storytelling session that have been specially chosen to keep the charity zoos' younger fans entertained... Read more
Tuesday 23rd February
Zoom Abbey Tots
via Zoom
Tue 23rd February 2021
10.00 - 11.00
Returning for 2021 | Zoom Abbey Tots - Our Youth Chaplain, Kim, is bringing Abbey Tots to your homes. This virtual group is for parents and carers with pre-school age children. Starting on Tuesday 19 January, Abbey Tots will meet online every Tuesday morning between 10am and 11am. Drop in and out as you wish and stay for as little or as long as you like. Expect stories, activities, songs and even a virtual snack time. Babies and toddlers - plus their grown ups - are all very welcome to join us. You will need to download Zoom on your electronic device to join this meeting. For login details, please contact our Youth Chaplain at [email protected]
Saturday 12th June
TOTFest® 2021 - St Albans | Hertfordshire!
Hertfordshire County Showground
Sat 12th June 2021
12pm- 5pm
TOTFest® 2021! The ultimate pre-school festival is returning to Hertfordshire. TOTFest®, the dedicated baby and toddler festival, will be coming to St Albans in 2021, and will take place at the wonderful Herts County Showground on Saturday 12th June. Now in its third year, TOTFest® is specifically aimed at children aged 6 months to 5 years. Families can expect a day of dedicated preschool fun! Our activity schedule is immersive, unique, fun, interactive and varied all based around our 5 core zones CREATE, IMAGINE, MOVE, EXPLORE & PLAY. The fun never stops: there's giant painting canvasses, a baby rave, bubbleologists, crazy golf, drama workshops, story time sessions, a tots race track, miniature fairground, bounceland and live shows, In-fact you can expect over 50 sessions, shows and activities scheduled to keep the smallest of guests entertained all afternoon. TOTFest® is a family festival with babies and pre-schoolers at its very heart, giving families with young children an opportunity to spend precious time together whilst trying out new things and most importantly, having fun!
