Family fun day April 20

Families across Coventry are being urged to register for free tickets for a school holiday Family Fun Day at the University of Warwick this Easter with top children’s authors, scientists and circus entertainers.

The vibrant one-day extravaganza is part of Resonate 2022, three days of special events from April 19 to 21, in partnership with Coventry City of Culture Trust. Several key family-friendly events are already booking up fast.

The Family Fun Day on Wednesday April 20 includes a packed programme of free performances, drop-in workshops and activities for the whole family on the Coventry campus. Free shuttle buses have been laid on across the city from Foleshill, Canley, Earlsdon and the city centre throughout the day and evening.

Resonate festival director Helen Wheatley, Professor of Film & Television Studies said: “We wanted Resonate 2022 to be as diverse, inclusive and fun as possible for families right across the city – there’s explosive science, comedy and circus skills as well as important conversations and interactive workshops to stretch the mind!

“We have a whole host of free, family-friendly activities, workshops, games and performances, including the wonderful Circus Mash and Flying Seagulls.”

Roll up, roll up for circus workshops and performances by international troupe Flying Seagulls (11am-5.30pm), who have worked with refugees across 23 countries, as well as circus skills demonstrations and workshops from Birmingham-based Circus Mash (11am-4pm).

Chris Smith – one half of the best-selling author duo with Radio 1 DJ Greg James – will be talking about his funny new book, Frankie Best Hates Quests, between 11.30am and 12.30pm. He will also be offering tips for children on writing their own adventures. Advance booking is needed for this event, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chris-smith-frankie-best-hates-quests-tickets-302853060657

Stefan Gates’ Fartology! - an outrageously hilarious educational family-friendly stage show celebrating bodily functions - is now fully booked, but he is hosting a second event talking about the Future of Food, https://www.resonatefestival.co.uk/campus-festival/stefan-gates-ee2f3

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger is a science-show exploring materials and the processes engineers go through to try and make materials of the future from 12pm until 1pm, (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/harder-better-faster-stronger-tickets-310413534237). There is also an Invention Zone for children of all ages to find out about some of the university’s award-winning student-led research such as the Warwick Mobile Robotics project which includes a rescue robot dog.

The Red Tent project is an awareness-raising initiative to break down the stigma around menstruation for ages 9+ with drop-in workshops ranging from Talking about Periods to How Not to talk to Girls about Periods – Boys and Men and Sew-your-Own-Pad.

Children can also take part in a Creating for a Better World drop-in workshop and imagine what their perfect world might look like between 11am and 12.30pm; while Warwick Sustainability Challenge for all ages includes quizzes for teens and recycling workshop for younger children, plus a sustainability trail.

Other cultural events include a Roman Coventry Activity Day and a celebration of the ancient Persian Spring Equinox festival, Norwuz, and Celebrating Languages, with drop-in activities including taster sessions in Mandarin, t-shirt slogan decorating, biscuit decorating, translating cartoons and Chinese paper cutting.

Families should also look out for quirky walkabout act, The Androids, who are experts in robotic movements, as well as food feasts with Cooking Up the Past, a hands-on session creating recipes from the Second World War, and Feast! Dinner Party, where children can design their own place setting at the table.

The day rounds off with a stand-up comedy show for children aged 6+, James Campbell – The Funny Life of… between 4pm and 5pm, https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/james-campbell-the-funny-life-of-tickets-293077220857.

The University of Warwick has been working in partnership with Coventry City of Culture Trust throughout 2021 and 2022 for Coventry’s tenure as UK City of Culture.

For the full programme of events on the Family Fun Day visit https://www.resonatefestival.co.uk/#family