Screen Off, Imagination On! Swap Screen Time For Sculpture At The Hepworth Wakefield This Summer

As families prepare for the summer holidays, The Hepworth Wakefield is encouraging parents to press pause on screen time and rediscover the joy of making, exploring and playing together – with all family activities free for kids.

The Hepworth Wakefield’s call for screen off, imagination on comes as experts say spending too much time on devices can reduce opportunities for quality time with family. Research shows that children are using screens from a very young age, prompting many parents to look for ways to switch off and spend time together.

Olivia Colling, Executive Director, said: ‘Throughout the summer, The Hepworth Wakefield is offering families six weeks of artist-led workshops, sculpture trails, outdoor play and creative activities to entertain and spark the imagination during the long school break. As a busy parent of three myself, I know how valuable engaging drop-in activities that don’t need to be booked in advance are. To make it as easy as possible for people to take part, in addition to our usual half price family ticket, we have also devised a new summer holiday membership so that families can return again and again. And of course, we remain free for Wakefield District residents and under 18s. No previous art experience is necessary and everyone is welcome.’

From carving soap sculptures to making Barbara Hepworth-inspired hats, weekly workshops are designed for families to have fun together and learn new skills to practice at home. Art Pods and Explore & Draw stations throughout the galleries offer hands-on activities, while in the newly opened Mrinalini Mukherjee exhibition, families can follow a special trail, spotting animals, people and nature hidden within the artworks. Families are also invited to build sculptural dens, paint with water and discover mini beasts in The Hepworth Wakefield Garden.

The Hepworth Wakefield is accessible with baby changing facilities and a Changing Places toilet as well as a space to leave buggies and pushchairs. The gallery’s indoor picnic area and quiet space can provide a much-needed moment of calm for parents and children too. Families can also stay cool all summer long in the air-conditioned galleries.

The Hepworth Wakefield offers an affordable day out for families with free entry for under 18s, Wakefield district residents and Members, alongside a 50% summer holiday discount for families visiting from outside the district using the code FAMILY50. (T&Cs apply.) All family activities are free with an exhibition ticket.

Families can also take advantage of a special six-week summer holiday membership for £26 which provides unlimited entry to the exhibitions all summer-long and free access to family workshops. (T&Cs apply.)

In the gallery café, VAT on qualifying children's meals is being temporarily cut from 20% to 5% as part of The Great British Summer Savings scheme. From 18 July to 31 August, under 18s can enjoy menu items including a pizza, skin-on fries and soft serve meal or a lunchbox meal – a choice of sandwich, seasonal fruit, crisps and juice. Families are also welcome to bring a picnic to eat in the garden.

The Hepworth Wakefield is open daily, 10am-5pm, from 18 July to 31 August. For full details of summer activities and ticket offers visit hepworthwakefield.org