As the mum of a creative child I am always on the lookout for workshops and activities to do at home to encourage his naturally artistic vein. Taking part to one of the free workshops at the National Gallery is on my list of things to do next time we are in London.  The workshops are part of the Free Family Sundays for the age group between 5 and 11; every child must be accompanied by an adult. They run between 11am and 1pm or 2pm and 4 pm.  There is no need to book in advance, but places are limited and are allocated on arrival so you need to get there early.  The next one coming up on Sunday November 29 focuses on Velazquez’s paintings. Children are inspired by Velazquez’s work and get to make their own artwork with artist Thomas Gosebruch. You only need to take a look at the children gallery to see how a special focus on a given artist could influence children’s drawings. Unfortunately we won’t make the one on Velazquez but will be there on Sunday 20th of December for the workshop Weird and Wonderful with artist Viyki Turnbull focusing on artists tricks to create magical illusions.

For the under 5s the National Gallery offers free Magic Carpet Storytelling sessions every Sunday between 10.30am and 11am and repeated between 11.30am and 12pm. Stories are connected to a different painting each week, which follows the theme of the workshops for ages 5-11.