Home Education: The magic of natural dyes

Workshop times:

• Wednesday 18 November, 10:30am to 12:30pm - ages 6 to 9 (if there are mixed age groups with some children over 9, please book onto the morning workshop) 

• Wednesday 18 November, 1:30pm to 3:30pm - ages 10+ (if there are mixed age groups with some children under 10, please book onto the morning workshop)

This workshop is for home educated children aged 6+ and their families.

Get ready to get messy, creative and curious with Lo-Fi Alchemists as they introduce you to a colourful world of natural dyes, plants and pigments in this Finding my roots: the magic of natural dyes workshop!

Young people will become ‘dye detectives’, experimenting with different plant-based colourants and observing the interesting outcomes. What starts as a single-coloured dye can often become a surprising palette of shades!

Weather permitting, there will be outdoor exploration of the castle herb garden and grounds to identify and learn about different plants and forage for materials to make your own natural dyes to colour twig-spools of cotton thread.

Finally, you’ll paint bookmarks to take home using natural earth-pigment paints. Young people can incorporate colours discovered and created during the workshop into their artwork. The finished bookmarks will become part of an exhibition celebrating the Finding My Roots project at Wakefield Artwalk in January 2027.

These workshops will be delivered at Pontefract Castle by artists from Lo-Fi Alchemists with funding from Wakefield Council Culture Grants and West Yorkshire Combined Authority - Nature Season.

Please note: Only one adult per booked group will be permitted due to capacity.

If you would like more information about this workshop, please email museumslearning@wakefield.gov.uk

Part of our Home Education workshops programme at Wakefield Museum and Pontefract Castle.

How can I contact the organiser with any questions?

Call 01924 302700 and leave a message. We will respond as soon as possible. (Please note this number is only monitored during office hours, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm)

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No, we will have your details at the door.

Refund policy

This is a free event. If you need to cancel your place, please let us know.