Enjoy a family day out with The Big Draw

The online calendar of kids' events

in London

The Big Draw

1-31st October 2006

Welcome to the Campaign with a simple aim: to get everyone drawing. The Big Draw, the Campaign's annual October showpiece, proves that drawing can be a public activity as well as a private passion. 1000 venues across the UK, from great national institutions to village halls, will be joining in to offer people of all ages the chance to discover that drawing is enjoyable, liberating and at everyone's fingertips.

Throughout October 2006, galleries, museums, science centres, heritage and environmental sites, libraries, archives, community and shopping centres, colleges, schools and art clubs will host drawing activities for all ages. They will explore technical, scientific, architectural, archaeological or fine art drawing.

Participants are invited to help expand the definitions and uses of drawing - experimenting with pencils, crayons, charcoal, sand, clay, digital imagery, choreographed movement, vapour trails and fire drawings.

An estimated 1000 venues across the UK will offer an exciting programme for The Big Draw 2006 - with hundreds of events for adults and children - involving artists, designers, architects, cartoonists, illustrators, scientists and the Campaign's own patrons. These activities are mainly free and widely accessible. They drew on every kind of subject - from landscapes, architecture, portraiture and still lives to the imaginary, optical, digital and scientific.

Find out what events are arranged near you.

Here is just a taster of the many FREE events planned all over London

Event venue: William Morris Gallery
Address: Lloyd Park, Forest Road, London, Waltham Forest, E17 4PP
Tel: 0208 527 3782; www.walthamforest.gov.uk
Event title:"Magnificent Mural"
Description: Fun for all the family, join us and discover your hidden talents. Make sketches around the Gallery, or outside in the park, letting yourself be inspired by Morris's beautiful patterns and nature, then add your drawings to our mural. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Audience: All Ages
Date/Time: Sat 14 Oct, 11am - 1pm, 2 - 4.30pm
Cost: No admission charge
Event: Free

Event venue: V&A
Address: Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London, Kensington and Chelsea, SW7 2RL
Tel: 020 7942 2211; www.vam.ac.uk
Event title:"Dynamic Drawing"
Description: Using the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci as inspiration, visitors will be encouraged to create their own inventions. There will be drawing demonstrations and performances linked to the theme of inventive drawing. Various locations in the V&A.
Audience: Family
Date/Time: Sat 14 & Sun 15 Oct, 11am - 5pm
Cost: No admission charge
Event: Free

Event venue: Transition Gallery
Address: Unit 25a Regent Studios, 8 Andrews Road, London, Hackney, E8 4QN
Tel: 0207 254 4202; www.transitiongallery.co.uk
Event title:"The Feathered Variety"
Description: Come and draw birds based on an installation "Oriole" by the artist Annabelle Dover showing at Transition as part of our "Supernature" series
Audience: All Ages
Date/Time: Sat 14 Oct, 1pm - 6pm
Cost: No admission charge
Event: Free

Event venue: Theatre Museum
Address: 1E Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, London, Westminster City, WC2E 7PR
Tel: 02079434801; www.theatremuseum.org
Event title:"The Big Draw - 'Drawing the Crowd'"
Description: During October half term, general visitors to the museum will be invited to design a set or costume inspired by our collection. Afterwards, designs will be displayed in our foyer on one of our set pieces for all to see!
Audience: All Ages
Date/Time: Tues 17 - Sun 22 & Tues 24 - Sun 29 Oct, 10am - 5pm
Cost: No admission charge
Event: Free

Event venue: Swiss Cottage Central Library
Address: 88 Avenue Road, London, Camden, NW3 3HA
Tel: 0207 074 5451; www.camden.gov.uk
Event title:"Colour Africa"
Description: Children's art workshop making large wall panel of African patterns and colours for display in library hall.
Audience: Children
Date/Time: Sat 14 Oct, 2.30 - 4pm
Cost: No admission charge
Event: tbc

Event venue: Serpentine Gallery
Address: Kensington Gardens, London, Westminster City, W2 3XA
Tel: 020 7298 1516; www.serpentinegallery.org
Event title:"Serpentine Gallery Family Day"
Description:As part of the Big Draw and Family Learning Week, a team of artists will work with families in the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2006 to create digital and other drawings in response to the structure of the Pavilion, the exhibition and the surrounding park. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No booking required for this informal drop-in event.
Audience: All Ages
Date/Time: Sat 7 Oct, 12 - 5pm
Cost: No admission charge
Event: Free

Event venue: Royal Air Force Museum
Address: Grahame Park Way, London, Barnet, NW9 5LL
Tel: 0208 205 2266; www.rafmuseum.org
Event title:"The Big Draw"
Description: Draw aircraft from across the ages with help and advice from our access and learning team. Take part in an art activity for the whole family and enter our competition.
Audience: All Ages
Date/Time: Mon 23 - Fri 27 Oct, tbc
Cost: No admission charge
Event: Free