PLAY
Our year-round programme for children and families.
Our packed calendar of family-friendly activities proves that you’re never too young for culture – or too old for play.
PLAY is our year-round programme of free events and activities for children and families. Throughout 2025, we’ll be inviting you to take part in a series of playful interventions and magical moments of discovery – presented in partnership with Play Bradford, and co-produced with artists, architects, designers, theatre makers and the people of Bradford District.
Get ready for a year of fabulous PLAY…
Coming soon
Intergenerational Play
This pioneering programme, created with Bradford’s Linking Network, shows that there’s no age limit to play.
Think playing is just for kids? Think again. We’re bringing together pupils at 20 Bradford primary schools with residents of 20 nearby care homes – and inviting them to come together and play.
The two generations will begin by exploring the idea of ‘play’ in their respective environments, before joining up to play together. These unique interactions are designed to promote social inclusion and foster strong relationships between young and old, encouraging new connections that bridge the multi-generation gap – with benefits for the wellbeing of everyone involved.
More information coming soon.
Past events
8–9 & 15–23 Feb 2025
Grue
Wintercroft & ARCADE
Explore a wintry world built by the people of Bradford.
5–9 Apr 2025
The Great Adventure Build
Woodland Tribe
Build the playground of your dreams – then play!
More family-friendly events
Explore more family-friendly events coming soon.
15 Jul – 7 Sep 2025
The Railway Children
The classic production heads to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.
27 Jul - 26 Nov 2025
A Good Yarn
Luke Jerram & Bloomin' Buds
Get up close and personal with an extraordinary new artwork – made in BD10 from the fabric of Bradford.
6 - 29 Aug 2025
The DRAW! Tour: August Workshops
Hands-on drawing workshops across the district, part of Our Patch.
27 Aug 2025
Share Your Story: Bradford Stories Bus
National Literacy Trust in Bradford
We’re inviting children and young people to share their stories aboard a classic American school bus.
Play Bradford
Keeping Bradford playfulPlay Bradford are passionate about using adventure play as a vehicle for social change. Find out more about what they do and how they’re making play happen anywhere and everywhere.
Learn more
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Play Bradford are passionate about using adventure play as a vehicle for social change. Find out more about what they do and how they’re making play happen anywhere and everywhere.
