New website and app for children’s activities in lockdown

CREATE Sheffield has announced the shared launch of two new resources to support Sheffield children and young people (aged 0 to 24) and their families in lockdown.

Seth, 2, creates a huge rainbow in his garden

Create Sheffield and 50 things to do before you’re five are available now and they’re completely free to use.

Create Sheffield’s new website hosts a series of fun, creative adventures for young people, children and their families, brought together by Create Sheffield and their partner arts and cultural organisations from across Sheffield. The launch comes at the end of the week which should have seen the start of the summer school term.

The website’s activities have been transformed into #homeadventures to try in lockdown. Participants are encouraged to share what they get up to on each home adventure on social media, and to invent their own #homeadventures to share with others across in the city.

Ian Naylor, Chair of Create Sheffield, said: “The cultural education partnership is here to foster a movement, where every child in the city, no matter what community they live in, can explore, share and revel in the creativity that both defines them, and defines our amazing city.

“Creativity is the best friend that every child is born with, it lies at the heart of what makes us human. Creative thinking is at the core of the deepest learning and we know that the structure of our education system can at times feel like this innate creativity is under pressure.

“The best scientific discoveries, every story ever written, the solution to a mathematical formula were all borne from creative thinking. Without care this very basic human need can be taught out of our children and young people.

“At a time when we are turning to creativity and play like no other, there seems no better time to try and draw our city and its young people together through this creativity. It also highlights that there are so many children and young people who face barriers to exploring and sharing creativity for themselves. Together, the partners of Create Sheffield, will work tirelessly to ensure that every child in our great city can grow, develop and shine.

“I am delighted to share the start of this journey with our city through the launch of our website. And because this movement has creativity and collaboration at its heart, it will really come alive when our city, our home, our place and the children and young people who bring it such vibrancy can contribute to its development.

“Start by sharing your #homeadventures via social media - if you’re a musician you can do this through your #gardengig making music on your doorstep, in your garden or with your window open every day at 4pm.”

‘50 Things to Do before you’re Five’, one of Create Sheffield’s partners, is also launching a Sheffield-focused version of their website and app. This fantastic resource particularly aimed at the under fives has been funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and special additional material has been put onto the website to help with its use for families in lockdown.

The app offers alternatives to the exciting visits available in Sheffield, with links to museum websites and ideas for home and garden.

The 50 Things include activities that are based on research of how children learn. More importantly, they are low/no cost, accessible to every child aged nought to five across the city and are great fun.

Families can get involved and share their adventures on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #50ThingsSheffield #homeadventures

Go online at www.sheffield.50thingstodo. org and www.createsheffield.co.uk and start your adventures today.