FAMILY FUN 2025
8th Mar 2025 - 13th Dec 2025 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
There is always plenty for children to do in the House on weekends, such as the dressing-up box, making badges, decorating with chalk, and arts and crafts. But visit us every second Saturday of the month for a special family fun session guided by our volunteers and staff, with a new activity each time!
All events run from 2 to 3:30pm – booking is not required and entry is free, although donations are always appreciated.
THEME: STILL LIFE
8 MARCH
Make a daffodil for the beginning of spring. Get inspired by the beautiful flowers in the courtyard and Manor House gardens.
12 APRIL
Make a still-life collage in preparation for the Judith Cain exhibition in May!
10 MAY
Celebrate May and the warmer weather by dancing around the maypole to the tune of the fiddle!
THEME: ILKLEY’S PAST
14 JUNE
Play with traditional toys like in the Victorian period, and draw beautiful pictures with chalk in the courtyard.
12 JULY
Be inspired by the Great Ilkley Flood exhibition and make a raindrop mobile.
1, 2, & 3 AUGUST
Yorkshire Day! Celebrate God’s Own Country with crafts and games. Make a Yorkshire Rose with tissue paper and play outside.
9 AUGUST
This month’s exhibition looks at the history of Ilkley’s railway – make your own train using recycled material.
THEME: ARCHITECTURE
13-14 and 20-21 SEPTEMBER and 11 OCTOBER
For these two weekends in September, we will be celebrating Heritage Open Days with the rest of the country. This year’s theme is Architecture. On 13-14 Sept, make a cardboard model of Ilkley Manor House and learn about its construction. On the second weekend of HODs & on 11 Oct, make a Roman fort and learn about how the Romans lived in Britain.
8 NOVEMBER
History is all around you here at the old site of the Roman fort Olicana! Become a Roman soldier and make a shield.
THEME: CHRISTMAS
13 DECEMBER
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Join us for festive fun this winter – see the House decked beautifully for Christmas and make jolly crafts.
These events take place downstairs in Ilkley Manor House or outside if the weather is good. If you can’t make these special family fun sessions, don’t worry! Ilkley Manor House is open on weekends from 11am to 4pm and crafts will be available for children to take part in self-led activities. Entry to the House is free unless stated otherwise; no booking is required. Please check the website and our social media for the latest updates before visiting.
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