Youngsters on half-term can look forward to a week of fun, games and travelling back in time courtesy of Bradford Council’s Museums and Galleries – and it’s all free!

It gets off to a good start at Bradford 1 Gallery where visitors will be invited to join in The Big Draw, a month-long arts festival, that is the world’s biggest annual celebration of drawing.

Artists Lou Sumray and Naseem Darbey will be there to help families contribute to a big drawing of the city as seen from the gallery’s window overlooking City Park, draw a picture inspired by the gallery’s David Shrigley exhibition or have a go making a special drawing with the aid of a sewing machine.

The drop-in event will be this Saturday between noon and 4pm. All anyone needs to bring with them is enthusiasm.

A new drawing trail is being created at Manor House in Ilkley as part of The Big Draw and tells the fascinating history all about the building.

Youngsters can also find out more about what life was like there for people by having fun with Roman and Victorian dressing up and games.

Back in Bradford at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, visitors can see an exciting programme of contemporary exhibitions including ‘Games in the Park’ and the venue’s permanent collections in the Connect Galleries.

Children and young people can also try building their own Cityscapes with Lowry-inspired building blocks, or play with an Arab Weaver Doll’s House. There will also be an opportunity to take Hockney Bear for a splash in the Imagination gallery.

At Bradford Industrial Museum, meanwhile, visitors can get hands-on and see the golden age of industry recreated with demonstrations of engines that ran the mills, spinning machines and looms that helped make Bradford the textile capital of the world.

There are even more activities at Bolling Hall, which is one of Bradford’s oldest museums. Visitors can create their own Bolling Hall fashion wheel or time travel device to help them explore the museum.

People can also enjoy the autumn weather with a walk on Shipley Glen and a visit to Bracken Hall Countryside Centre open on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays.

Bradford Council’s Museums and Galleries manager Maggie Pedley, said: “The wide range of free activities on offer at Bradford’s Museums and Galleries will help families enjoy the history and heritage of our district as well as encouraging them to get creative and active.”

Children visiting Bradford Museums and Galleries must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

To find our more about what’s on, go to bradfordmuseums.org or follow @BradfordMuseums.