Although June 12th is the official day for Cruinniu na nÓg 2021, check out the Creative Ireland website for activities to do in the lead up to and beyond the day.

From a garden orchestras to making musical instruments, there are tons of free events for kids and teens around Ireland to celebrate this special day. Here are some of the highlights for Cruinniu na nÓg 2021:

Droichead Arts Centre presents The Creative Garden Orchestra where children aged 8-10 are invited to create the soundscape for a live story telling session.

All the sounds, atmospheric as well as rhythmical, are found in the world that surrounds them. Whether you have a garden or not, nature can be found throughout the home. From rustling branches and leaves to rippling water, from stomping wellies to zipping coats. From wooden tables to wooden spoons, it surrounds everyone.

Learn hula hoop tricks you’ve never imagined and perfect your juggling skills, too. Excited to get started? From May 12th, you can view digital videos on making your own juggling balls at home and then start practicing along with tutorials to get ready for Cruinniú na nÓg.

This fun event will be held in-person by Carrigaline Community Centre just off Church Road on June 12th from 12.15 to 1.15pm (ages 8 to 12). Additional sessions are available for other age groups. Places are limited and booking is essential. All Covid-19 guidelines will be adhered to.

This is a perfect activity to introduce design and engineering skills in a fun and engaging way!

In this STEAM-based workshop for Cruinniu na nÓg, participants will be set the task of working together in teams to develop an interactive board game. You will begin by repurposing recycled materials to construct your creation, then bring it to life using Makey Makey and Scratch to trigger audio in the form of sound effects, instructions for use, stories or anything else you can think of.

Participants will gain an understanding of circuitry and design as well as an insight into the UN Sustainability Goals.

Important Note: Kits for this workshop must be picked up from Lucan Library prior to the event and returned to the library in full after the event.

Don’t miss the chance to have your say! We’re looking for parents to get involved and give their feedback on all aspects of family life.

An exciting art and storytelling workshop led by artist Kim Sharkey for children age 5 to 12. The project is inspired by the National Museum of Ireland’s Decorative Arts & History Collections.

Storytelling is at the centre of every museum experience, as stories bring our museum objects to life. In this workshop, focused on the theme of storytelling using animation, you’ll be able to make your own clay figure that can star in an animation. This 15-minute event is pre-recorded and will be available on June 12th from 1pm on the NMI YouTube and Facebook pages.

Making music is great fun, especially when you get to make your own instruments! Running for approximately one hour, this pre-recorded event will be available from 9 am on Saturday, June 12th, and will be hosted by Bernie Doherty from the Music Box.

It’s suitable for children aged 3-7 years with parental supervision. Participants must register in advance to receive their activity pack, which will contain everything needed to make some sweet music.

At a time when it feels like it’s all negatively about covering up and staying away a joyful wordless piece about opening up and being together still, finding how to play, connect and be curious within the restrictions of this brave new world. With a gorgeous and unique live musical score

Suitable for children aged 3-5 years of age and their parents. Show times at 10am, 12pm and 2pm

What can you make with your rubbish?

Learn all about waste reuse and take part in a range of hands-on arts and crafts activities reusing waste materials such as fabric, scrap paper, food cans and tetra packs in this great workshop from The Rediscovery Centre as part of Cruinniú na nÓg.

Find all the events online and near you on the Creative Ireland website.