30 Things to do in Sunderland this Summer

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If you’re looking for fun creative activities to keep the family busy this summer then Sunderland Culture have you covered!

They’ve put together a jam-packed programme of workshops and activities at venues across Wearside - from seaside sculpture and photography to messy science, a bubble fest and exciting new shows. There’s loads of fun to be had.

National Glass Centre

Children and their families can get creative at National Glass Centre with a variety of glass workshops to enjoy – including sandcastle ceramics, glass animal painting, rainbow rockets glass fusing and a free family photography day.

Entry to the National Glass Centre is free and there’s plenty to enjoy on your visit, including glass blowing demonstrations, a busy shop and the venue’s popular café.

Learn about the history of glass production in Sunderland at the permanent Stories of Glass exhibition and visit the acclaimed Glass Exchange exhibition that includes work from some of the UK’s leading contemporary artists.

Dates, prices and booking links:

5, 12, 19 & 26 August - Coastal Animal Glass Painting (ages 6+). £4 per person - book here
3, 13, 17, 27, 31 August and 3 September - Ceramic Sandcastles and Sea Sculptures (ages 5+). £10 per person - book here
1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 August - Marvellous Mobiles Glass Painting (ages 4+). £5 per person - book here
2 August - Rainbow Rockets Glass Fusing (ages 6+). £12 per person - book here
4, 11, 18 & 25 August - Planet Pledge Family Fusing (ages 6+). £35 per group (up to 6 participants per group) - book here
23 August - Cyan Seas Family Photography (ages 3+). FREE drop in session - find out more here
10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26 August - Sandcasting: Hedgehog, Car, Fish or Owl (ages 6+). £20 - book here
16 & 31 August - Fantasty Fish Fusing (ages 6+). £12 per person - book here

How to get there: National Glass Centre is accessible by Bus, Train, Metro or Car - click here for timetables/directions.

Arts Centre Washington

If it’s theatre for the family you’re after, look no further than Arts Centre Washington. Children will love The Tortoise and the Hare – A Suitcase Story, an interactive story for the under 6s, which features live music and puppetry (Tuesday, August 16 at 1pm and 3pm).

Young people from Washington are invited to take part in Creative You, a programme of free arts workshops for those aged 11-19.

Aimed at supporting young people’s emotional and mental wellbeing and self-esteem, the programme starts with a pottery workshop and will be followed by sessions on film-making, dance, song writing, clowning, glass painting, how to make your own tie dye, radio drama, lino printing and rap music.

Dates, prices and booking links:

9 August - An introduction to Song Writing - Creative You FREE session for ages 11-19. Book here
11 August - Learn to Clown - Creative You FREE session for ages 11-19. Book here
16 August - Glass Painting - Creative You FREE session for ages 11-19. Book here
16 August - The Tortoise and the Hare Interactive Story for Under 6s. Book here
18 August - Make Your Own Tie Dye - Creative You FREE session for ages 11-19. Book here
23 August - Rock Painting - Creative You FREE session for ages 11-19. Book here
25 August - First Steps into Radio Drama - Creative You FREE session for ages 11-19. Book here
30 August - Learn Lino Printing - Creative You FREE session for ages 11-19. Book here
31 August - Pop & Contemporary Dance - Creative You FREE session for ages 11-19. Book here
1 September - Write Your Own Rap Music - Creative You FREE session for ages 11-19. Book here

How to get there: Arts Centre Washington is accessible by car or bus (with free on site parking) - click here for directions and more info.

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

Big Science Bubble Fest at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

Meanwhile at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, families have a wide range of fun activities to choose from – from the pop-tastic Big Science Bubble Fest to meeting the creatures from Discovery Zoo.

There are also a huge variety of free activities on offer including weekly drop-in sessions such as Arty Wednesdays and Pyrex Family Fridays featuring themed drawing, textiles, clay-sculptures, and 3D model-making workshops.

As well as the action-packed programme of events, the venues themselves are fantastic places for a family trip – with free entry, places to eat, and additional things to see and do.

Dates, prices and booking links:

Monday 1 August - Maritime Mondays: Shipwreck! FREE drop in create your own 3D shipwreck scene. All ages welcome and there are sensory play trays too
Wednesday 3 August - Arty Wednesdays: Make Your Own Kente Pattern. FREE drop in session
Friday 5 August - Create Your Own Pyrex Patterned Plates (ages 4+). £2 per child - book here
Monday 8 August - Maritime Mondays: Creatures of the Deep! FREE drop in create your own sea creature from air dried clay. All ages welcome and there are sensory play trays too
Wednesday 10 August - Discovery Zoo, a chance to meet exotic animals. £3 per child - book here
Friday 12 August - Decorate a Glass Window. FREE drop in session
Monday 15 August - Maritime Mondays Lighthouse Models. FREE drop in session where you can create your own model lighthouse. All ages welcome and there are sensory play trays too
Tuesday 16 August - Design and Make Funky Sustainable Clothing Workshop. FREE session for ages 12+ - book here
Wednesday 17 August - Arty Wednesdays, make a textile piece of art using fabric pens. FREE drop in session
Friday 19 August - Family Pyrex Fridays : Print making - FREE drop in session
Monday 22 August - Big Science Bubble Fest. Learn about the science of bubbles, watch demos and have a go at bubble experiments. £5 per child - book here
Wednesday 24 August - Discovery Zoo, a chance to meet exotic animals. £3 per child - book here
Thursday 25 August - Character Design and Storytelling Workshop for ages 14-18. FREE but you do need to book a place - book here
Friday 26 August - Family Pyrex Fridays : Create your own 3D animal sculpture. FREE drop in session
Wednesday 31 August - Arty Wednesdays, create your own pop-up winter garden. FREE drop in session
Friday 2 September - Family Pyrex Fridays: The Big Picture Art Challenge. £2 per child - book here

Find out more about any of the above events including session times here: https://sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/sunderland-museum-winter-gardens/whats-on/

How to get there: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens is accessible by Car, Bus, Metro and Train - click here for directions and more information.

So, if you’ve worked up an appetite being creative or learning a new skill then you can enjoy a spot of lunch then browse an exhibition or even have a walk along the river! Plus, they’re all easily accessible by car or public transport.

For more information on all activities and the full programme of events on offer go to www.sunderlandculture.org.uk