Tickets now on sale for the 2026 Bournemouth Writing Festival! Masterclasses, agent 121s, talks, walks and much, much more!
See the programme here
Children and Young People
We've got free and ticketed writing activities, exercises and creative writing workshops especially for kids at Patch (1st Floor of Bobbys) on Saturday 25th April.
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For ticketed children's activities, parents are free and do not need a ticket.​
Scary stories inspired by Shelley
Taking inspiration from Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, this workshop will encourage kids to create their own scary monster story.
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For young people aged 8+.
With Chantelle Atkins from Chasing Driftwod
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13:30 to 14:30
Saturday 25th April 2026
Patch
£10. Parents free
Free Activities for Children
All through the day will be FREE, facilitated drop-in activities provided by ArtfulScribe and We Are Authentic Education. See below for details!​
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10am to 5pm
Saturday 26th April 2025
Patch
Once Upon a Holiday
A fun and imaginative writing workshop, where holidays meet magic and mayhem! With playful prompts and plenty of laughs, young storytellers create their own hilarious, magical holiday adventures—think wizards at the seaside and snowmen on tropical islands!
For Children 5-10
With Lorna Child
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Saturday 25th April 2026
11:45 to 12:45
Patch
£10. Parents free
FREE Activities
There are lots of free activities to inspire children to write, including:
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Writing on the Beach (Sat, from 10:30)
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Writing drop-ins at the Russell-Cotes Museum (Sat and Sun)
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Poetry Marquee at Horseshoe Common (Sat and Sun) including a Poetry Tombola and a free Magical Charm Poems workshop with Nazneen Ahmed Pathak on Sunday at 10:30am.
Events are subject to change.
Bournemouth Writing Festival is not responsible for the content of the events.
Free drop-in activities for kids of all ages
Do you love writing and want to be immersed in words? ArtfulScribe is providing a range of free, bespoke interactive activities for children and young adults. Drop in and stay as long as you like while meeting others who love writing and reading books, too.
For Younger Writers (5+)
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Discover the magic of Elmer the Elephant, The Colour Monster and Daisy's Dragons with the ArtfulScribe team.
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Contribute to the giant Elmer the Elephant writing mural.
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Name, colour and describe your very own monster and its superpowers.
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Explore your inner dragon, its emotions and create a fearsome shadow dragon.
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Happy, Angry or Brave? Write a thank you letter in the style of a poem for one of Daisy's Dragons.
For older writers
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Use the mystery box and learn how to ‘show not tell’.
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Pick the brains of Bournemouth University’s MA students.
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Create a washing line of hands, describing what you love about writing.
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Make up a spontaneous story with people in the room, one word at a time.
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Contribute to a monster-long Frankenstory, written by every person who joins us throughout the day.
Prizes
We can’t wait to see you there on Saturday 25th April, from 10am until 5pm at Patch. There will even be prizes given to the most inspiring writers of the day.
