Children & Families

Lakeside Arts is the region’s leading venue for theatre and dance for children and families and we strive to make ourselves as friendly, welcoming – and functional – for our young guests (and those responsible for them) as possible.

WHAT'S ON FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES 

We are proud of our year-round programme for children and families, which spans kids theatre and dance performances, Summer Schools, exhibitions and free, drop in and paid for workshops. To browse what's on offer for children and families, please see the What’s On section of our website.

What's On

Keep up to date with family offers and opportunities by signing-up to receive emails from Lakeside Arts and select ‘Children & Family Events’ as an interest.

FACILITIES

We have plenty of seating and open spaces for buggies and family groups. 

All of our buildings and the majority of our spaces can be accessed without the need for lifts or ramps, making our buildings accessible for everyone moving around with wheels.

Baby changing facilities are located in the men’s and accessible toilets in the DH Lawrence Pavilion and a dedicated baby changing room is available in the Djanogly Gallery.

Based at the southern entrance to the idyllic University Park Campus and adjacent to the ever-popular Highfields Park, Lakeside Arts’ unique parkland setting means that there’s plenty of space for children to burn off energy. Highfields Park’s facilities include a large children's play area, boat hire on the lake and adventure golf.

FEEDING YOUR CHILD

Please feel comfortable to breastfeed at Lakeside.

Our Pavilion Café serves a wide range of healthy snacks (and sweet treats) suitable for all the family, including our children's sandwich range and fresh fruit.

As long as those responsible are purchasing food or drink from our cafés we are more than happy for children to eat a packed lunch, however, we cannot heat up food or bottles.

TICKET DISCOUNTS

£5 tickets are available for those under 16 years of age for most performances – except for family programming and events where a full price ticket is less than this amount.

No charge is applied for tickets for children aged 3 and under for all non-family events, with children expected to sit/be on their parent/guardian’s lap. No charge is applied for tickets for children aged 18 months and under for luminaria, however tickets are required.

For family events, the following applies:

• 0+ age suitability: no free baby/toddler tickets
• 2+ to 3+ age suitability: babies under the age of 18 months receive a free baby/toddler ticket and are expected to sit/be on their parent/guardian’s lap
• 4+ and over age suitability: babies/toddlers under the ages of 2 years receive a baby/toddler ticket and are expected to sit/be on their parent/guardian’s lap.

For all seated events, if you wish for a child that is eligible for a baby/toddler ticket to have their own seat, a ticket must be purchased at the appropriate price.

Lakeside cannot accept responsibility for your children, so we kindly ask parents, carers and guardians to stay with them at all times, unless they're booked onto a fully-supervised, paid-for activity.