About the Family Learning Festival

Family learning and the Family Learning Festival

The National Family Learning Festival is organised by the Campaign for Learning and is the biggest annual celebration of family learning. It aims to draw attention to the importance of our families and friends in forming our attitudes towards learning, and encouraging and supporting us to learn through life. Family learning can lead to powerful benefits for both children and their parents; children’s educational outcomes are strongly influenced by parental involvement in their learning; and parents and carers are often motivated to learn as a result of being involved in family learning activities.

The Family Learning Festival is a fantastic opportunity for all family members and friends to take part in fun and informal learning activities, enjoy something different and find out about learning opportunities throughout the year. This relaxed and non-threatening ethos of the Festival is particularly effective at encouraging parents and carers who may not normally take part in learning activities, to have a go.

Who takes part and what do they do?

All types and sizes of organisation and venues take part in the Family Learning Festival including schools, galleries, museums, community centres, religious venues, theatres, shopping centres and parks. Local authorities all over the country co-ordinate the Festival in their area and produce special information packs and leaflets to let families know what is happening.

Venues and organisations run activities linked to the Festival theme (this year it is Be Brilliant!) or their own theme. Themes are often linked to the environment, health and wellbeing, creativity and crafts, and science – but anything goes as long as it’s learning-ful and suitable for all the family to take part. Activities may be organised to suit children’s different ages.

Why take part?

Participating organisations report a wide range of benefits for taking part in the Festival. These include:
- building a stronger relationship with families who use their services or facilities
- reaching new audiences in the community
- building new partnerships
- being able to offer new activities that meet families’ needs

What is happening for 2010?

The year’s theme is Be Brilliant! Organisations are invited to run Big Brilliant Days all over the country for this year’s Festival

What next?

The Campaign for Learning offers a range of support for organisations wishing to run the Family Learning Festival from planning guides to activity ideas. Visit our Get Involved section to find out how you can take part.