Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Upcoming Events at Sutton Courtenay Environmental Education Centre
Explore a world of nature and creativity at Sutton Courtenay Environmental Education Centre! Whether you’re looking for family fun, educational adventures, or hands-on workshops, our diverse range of events offers something for everyone. From uncovering the secrets of minibeasts to crafting unique bramble baskets, there’s an activity for every age and interest.
Don’t miss out—book your spot online at www.bbowt.org.uk/events and join us for an unforgettable experience in the heart of nature!
Home Educators Day: Millions of Minibeasts
Tuesday 10 September; 10am-2pm
An immersive day of outdoor learning at Sutton Courtenay Environmental Education Centre for our local home educating community. Come discover the millions of minibeasts who call our nature reserve home and take part in some fun minibeast themed activities. Search under the logs, go meadow sweeping in the grasses with the help of our experienced learning team and discover who's lurking in the branches above. As well as spotting lots of minibeasts you'll learn fascinating facts, play games and make a minibeast of your own to take home. Suitable for children aged 4-11 years with an accompanying adult. £8 per child; BOOKING ESSENTIAL
Sunrise Walk and Breakfast in Nature
Friday 13 September; 7:30-9:00am
Start the day a bit differently! As the sun rises join us for an early morning meander - a fox stalking through the leaves, spider webs jewelled with dew, a light mist rising over the meadow - there is always something to see. A member of our learning team will guide you around the varied habitats on our nature reserve, then we'll finish the walk with hot drinks and pastries to send you off to the rest of your day refreshed! £10 per person; BOOKING ESSENTIAL
Adult Weaving Workshop: Make a Bramble Basket
Saturday 28 September; 10am-5pm
Join a small group in the meadow for a day of wild weaving. Learn how to select, harvest and prepare the best stems then weave your own unique wild basket to take home. From bush to basket in just a day! You'll also learn lots about other wild weaving materials that can be sustainably foraged locally. This course is suitable for beginners. £65 per person; BOOKING ESSENTIAL
Owl Talk and Pellet Dissection (for adults)
Wednesday 9 October; 6:30-9:00pm
Enjoy an informative talk on all things owl, from breeds and populations to habitats and conservation, from our visiting owl expert Lu Barton of the Owl Conservation Project. Lu will be bringing some of the project's native owls for you to see. The second part of the session will allow you to get hands on and dissect a real owl pellet, turning detective to identify the bony contents and find out what the owl had been eating, with help from our BBOWT learning team. Suitable for adults. £20 per person; BOOKING ESSENTIAL
Adult Weaving Workshop: Weave a Natural Wall Hanging
Thursday 10 October; 9:30am-3:30pm
A creative workshop for adults to make a small nature inspired wall hanging. We'll take a walk around the autumnal nature reserve to get the creative juices flowing, then choose from a selection of coloured wool and foraged materials including grasses, leaves and stems and start to weave your own pattern of autumn on a mini stick loom. We'll teach you how to twist foraged materials into cordage or plaits to add texture to your design, and help you create a unique piece of art to take home. Hot drinks and cake included. Suitable for beginners. £65 per person; BOOKING ESSENTIAL
Spoon Carving Workshop for Beginners
Sunday 13 October; 9:45am-5:00pm
A course for adults to carve their own spoon from green wood, using an axe and carving knives. We’ll also cover tool sharpening and finishes for your spoon. All tools and materials are provided, just bring enthusiasm! £70 per person; BOOKING ESSENTIAL
Wild Witch’s Half Term Trail
Monday 28, Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 October; 10am-2pm plus Saturday 2 November 10am-2pm
The Wild Witch is on a quest to transform herself into a magical animal in time for Halloween! Travel through the nature reserve helping her on her quest and learning about the amazing wildlife that lives here, join us for a live storytelling session, and whip up a fabulous potion of your own in the witch's den. Suitable for children aged 4-11 (younger children may also attend and do not need a ticket). £8 per child; All children must be accompanied by an adult. BOOKING ESSENTIAL
Home Educators Day: Autumn Adventure with Wonderful Worms Workshop
Tuesday 5 November; 10am-2pm
An immersive day of outdoor learning at Sutton Courtenay Environmental Education Centre for our local home educating community. Join us for a fun filled day on the nature reserve and discover some of the secrets of autumn – why do the leaves change colour? There will be a selection of self-led and led activities. Suitable for children aged 4-11 years with an accompanying adult. £8 per child; BOOKING ESSENTIAL
Adult Weaving Workshop: Garden Hurdle Making
Thursday 7 November; 10am-3pm
Hurdles are a beautiful and sustainable way to create divisions in the garden, edge paths, keep back the rabbits, support plants or even make the sides of raised beds. On our garden hurdle making course you'll learn how to choose suitable materials, have a go at harvesting willow and weave a small hurdle (or maybe even 2) to take home using willow, hazel and other materials harvested from the nature reserve. Suitable for beginners. £65 per person; BOOKING ESSENTIAL
Visit Santa on the Nature Reserve
Saturday 30 November 10am-12pm and 1:30-3:30pm & Sunday 1 December 10am-12pm and 1:30-3:30pm
Meet Santa on his day out at the nature reserve and discover how you can help him to give all the animals a happy Christmas. The event will include a range of Christmas and wildlife themed, eco-friendly crafts and activities for children to take part in while waiting their turn to see Santa - some outdoors on the nature reserve and others in our cosy classrooms by the woodstove. Suitable for children aged 3-11 years. £15 per child; BOOKING ESSENTIAL
Young and Teen Rangers
Monthly Saturday clubs for young people aged 8-17 years who love wildlife. Spaces available now! Book one month at a time, you don’t need to come every month. Parents drop off and collect – full childcare provided by our trained and experienced team. Recent activities have included pond dipping, planting the wildlife garden and making charcoal pencils from elder branches. Check the website for upcoming dates and booking. £7 per child.
Nature Tots
Fun outdoor sessions on our beautiful nature reserve for 18 months to 4 years, Wed-Sat once a month. Nature play, exploration, crafts, trails and stories with our friendly Nature Tots team. It’s a great way to start a love of nature to last a lifetime. Check the website for upcoming dates. £7 per child
Nature, Natter and Nibbles
One Friday per month; 10.30am-12noon. Next dates: 6 Sept, 4 Oct, 1 Nov, 6 Dec
Walk, watch, listen, notice, chat, relax. A small friendly group for adults to explore the nature reserve, enjoying the wildlife and each other’s company. A gentle pace suitable for all. Followed by tea and cake! £4.50 per head, BOOKING ESSENTIAL.