On 13th June, Creative Ireland’s Creative Youth Programme held a national day to celebrate the creativity of children and young people under 18 across Ireland. This year, hundreds of free online events were held to showcase the creativity of Ireland’s youth. Thousands of parents, families and young people took part in a wide range of fun, free, creative activities from graffiti art workshops to song, poetic play and science workshops.

If you’re searching for ways to foster your own creativity or the creative nature of those around you, many of the Cruinniú na nÓg events are still available online – for free! Here are just a selection of some of the events you can enjoy with your family and friends.

Clare County Library have created a series of craft-at-home tutorials to keep kids and parents alike occupied. The videos will take you through the steps of creating a Gruffalo puppet, an at-home puppet theatre and a flamingo greeting card. You can head over to ClareLibrary on YouTube or click the link, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev9JPCcr_yU&t=8s

Craft at Home

Design & Crafts Council Ireland have partnered with Creative Ireland to host a series of kite-making workshops. Rebecca Marsden, Heather Gray, Laura McNamara and Ed Devane are all on-hand to take you through the steps of creating kites from recycled materials – and even a ‘musical’ kite! If that sounds like something you’d be interested in, find out more at: https://cruinniu.creativeireland.gov.ie/event/lets-go-fly-a-kite/

Interested in the science of ice-cream making? Kildare County Council have crafted an exciting experience that focuses on the history and science behind every child’s favourite dessert. The workshop will show you how to make ice-cream and how to build your own freezer – using regular household items! This one might be aimed at children, but it’s most certainly an activity for all ages. You can find out more, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e9Jm6e99t0&feature=emb_title

If you’re looking for a way to keep little toes busy, try the ‘Let’s Dance Together’ parent and toddler boogie event. Hosted by 2 Many Dance Moves Artistic Director, Becci Whelan, this is a workshop that the whole family can get involved in. It will take you on a journey of creativity, music, moves, games and fun! Best of all, it’s suitable for all levels and abilities. Check it out, here: https://www.ruraldanceart.com/cruinniu-na-nog

Let’s Dance Together

In collaboration with Longford County Council, Siobhán Grealy has created a series of easy and fun tutorials for children interested in learning more about coding. The series includes a range of how-to videos that will take your child through the basics of coding, all the way through to creating their own game! If you or your child are interested in coding, this is definitely the event for you. You can check out the workshops, here: https://www.facebook.com/longfordlibraries/playlist/284796395897531/?hc_location=ufi

Clare County Council have teamed up with traditional singer, Aileen Lambert, to host an online children’s traditional song workshop. The sing along session will delve into a song, composed by Catherine Ann Cullen, about St. Bridget and her magic cloak. The workshop breaks the song down line-by-line, teaching you the ins-and-outs of traditional singing. This is one the whole family can get involved in, so make sure to join in here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2FPshO-a84

Great Lighthouses of Ireland and Fighting Words have joined together to bring you lighthouses-inspired stories from all across Ireland. Written by 7-12 year olds, the digital magazine showcases the stories, poems, illustrations, song lyrics and stop-motion animations that were submitted for the ‘Young Storykeepers’ initiative. You can check out volume one, here: https://www.fightingwords.ie/storykeeper

Young Storykeepers

Brought to you by Music Generation Cavan/Monaghan, the ‘Music for Pre-schoolers’ workshop focuses on helping children to be tuneful, beatful and artful. From vocal warm-ups, movement exploration and Arioso (child-created tunes), your pre-schooler can celebrate their creativity through musical expression. Check out the workshop, created as part of the Early Years’ Music Programme, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUHG1-NzOLU

Offaly Libraries have partnered with IFTA nominated actress, Róisín Murphy to bring you a storytelling event. These fascinating tales from across Ireland and around the world are sure to engage the whole family. Sit down, relax, and prepare to be entertained through these wonderfully enjoyable stories. You can watch the first instalment of ‘Stories from Around the World’ here: https://www.facebook.com/offalylibraries/videos/1479531175588740/

Take advantage of many more free, online workshops and sessions from Cruinniú na nÓg by visiting https://cruinniu.creativeireland.gov.ie/events/.

Ireland is the first, and only, country in the world to have a national day of free creativity for children and young people under 18. Cruinniú na nÓg is a flagship initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme’s Creative Youth plan to enable the creative potential of children and young people. Facilitated in partnership with 31 Local Authorities and supported by RTÉ.