The fourth Festival of Stories will bring another exciting programme of storytelling events to families of children from birth to five across Cambridgeshire this February.
Children’s storytellers, an author and a puppet show will be joining the festival, which runs from 19-26 February 2025, at a range of Cambridgeshire venues.
This year’s event will focus on the value of everyday tales. The stories shared will reflect children’s everyday experiences, showing them that the things that are important to them are taken seriously and valued.
The festival works together with families to help young children better understand the world we live in, while boosting their communication, language, and literacy skills through the magic of stories.
There will be over sixty storytelling events, both in-person and online, at venues across the county, including interactive activities such as:
- Scavenger hunts
- Wild play
- Story-making
- Rhyme times
- Treasure box making
- Mini movers
- Mark making
- Stay and play sessions.
The festival will also highlight how ‘50 Things to Do Before You’re Five’ can be used by parents and carers across Cambridgeshire to create new stories based on everyday activities – this can help build memories and bring families together.
All events are free unless stated otherwise.
Cllr Bryony Goodliffe, chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Children and Young People Committee, said: “I am delighted that this event is taking place in Cambridgeshire. Storytelling is a particularly engaging medium for children, and for that reason it provides a great way to connect with them, support their communication skills and develop their understanding of the world around them. I hope as many families as possible can attend these exciting events.”
Marion Leeper, one of the storytellers supporting the festival, commented: “The Festival of Stories is a great opportunity to devise a story specially for families and based on their everyday experience. Storytellers often say, ‘You have to tell a story to get a story’ and everyday stories like these encourage so many stories in response – the stories that every family tells with their children, the little, ordinary events that make memories to bind a family together.”
To find out how to book your place at an event, follow Talking Together in Cambridgeshire (on Facebook) or visit the Festival of Stories website.
Many of these events will be held in partnership with Cambridgeshire Child and Family Centres, Cambridgeshire Libraries, Cambridgeshire Skills, Cambridgeshire Sensory Support Team, The Library Presents, Barnardo’s and local community groups.
The festival is also supported by a variety of community groups, including The Fitzwilliam Museum, Groundwork East, North Cambridge Community Partnership, All Saints Church in Elm, and Urban&Civic in Waterbeach, as well as several foodbanks and food-hubs across the county.
It is organised by Talking Together in Cambridgeshire, which was launched by Cambridgeshire County Council’s Early Years Childcare and School Readiness Service in 2018.
