Follow THE HERDS at museums and galleries across the UK
Take part in an epic journey this spring. Join in activities at museums and galleries inspired by THE HERDS, a climate action project which will see life-size puppet animals sweep through the UK.
From April to August 2025, herds of life-size puppet animals will stampede into cities across Africa and Europe to flee climate disaster.
THE HERDS is the new project by the creators of The Walk, which saw Little Amal, a 12-foot-tall puppet of a Syrian refugee girl, travel from Turkey to the UK.
THE HERDS have begun their journey and travelled through Kinshasha, Lagos, Dakar, Marrakesh, Casablanca and Rabat. They’ve floated on boats in Makoko and rampaged through traffic in Dakar, starting their 20,000km journey from Kinshasa to the Arctic circle. They'll continue through Madrid, Marseille, Venice, Paris, London and Manchester, then travel further north to Copenhagen, Aarhus and Stockholm before the finale in Trondheim.
You can follow the animals' journey on social using the hashtag #THEHERDS, and get involved in activities and events at museums and galleries across the UK inspired by their journey.
Scroll down to find events near you.
Activities and events
Museums and galleries across the UK have been getting involved in THE HERDS by hosting workshops and events – making puppets, curating nature walks, and inviting local communities to come together to explore, learn and appreciate local nature, and the challenges it faces in the face of the climate emergency.
Over 40 museums, galleries and historic houses are taking part, so you’ll be able to find something fun and family-friendly to enjoy.
Event highlights
Here’s a taster of some of the activities and events taking place across the UK – from making a life-size bison to creating your own puppet hare.
May
Stanwick Lakes, Northamptonshire
Throughout May and June a giant kestrel puppet made by local young people will be displayed in the Animal Travels exhibition in the Visitor Centre Heritage Museum. Alongside the exhibition, there will be free drop-in animal puppet crafts and a 'Follow THE HERDS' trail to help visitors learn about some of these amazing journeys while being immersed in beautiful views and wildlife outside on the nature reserve.
Anne Hathaway's Cottage (Shakespeare Birthplace Trust), Stratford-upon-Avon
23 May, 9pm
Bat walk.
Science and Industry Museum, Manchester
Half term interactive activities for families looking at the surprising species that survive and thrive in an urban environment.
The Exchange, Erith
24-31 May
Family workshops across half term.
Beach Creative CIC, Herne Bay
26-30 May
Young people creating a life-size bison from recycled materials at Kings Hall.
27 May
Wildlife costume workshop.
St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery, Lymington
27 May, 10am and 12pm
St Barbe: Oyster Catcher Puppet
30 May, 10am and 12.30pm
spudWORKS + African Adventures: Nightjar Puppet
Hay Castle, Hay-on-Wye
27 May, 2-5pm and during Hay Festival
Making and finding out about curlews with Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.
Nature in Art, Gloucester
27-28 May, both days at 1.30pm
Free family workshops creating whale puppets from recycled materials to join the pod of whales in the Whale Song exhibition.
Wentworth Castle Gardens (Barnsley Museums), Barnsley
27-30 May at 10am and 1.30pm
Grasslands: inspired by THE HERDS: Be part of creating a kaleidoscope of butterflies for a brand new summer art installation.
Quaker Tapestry Museum, Kendal
27-30 May, every day from 10am
Bat Week: Family half term activities on the theme of bats.
Haslemere Educational Museum
27 May, 11am-3pm
28 May, 10am-1pm
29 May, 11am-3pm
Free drop-in family sessions creating a life-size baby hippo puppet with a local artist.
Tenby Museum & Art Gallery
28 May, 12.30pm and 2.30pm
29 May, 12.30pm and 2.30pm
Short family-friendly performances of an original tale of Pwll the Puffin travelling into the future of the Atlantic Puffin species.
Art Exchange, Essex
28-29 May, 11am, Wivenhoe Park
Family workshop creating a life-size tiger inspired by William Blake.
Museum of Oxford
29 May, 10.30am and 1.30pm
A Hare’s Journey: opportunity to create your own puppet hare.
Judges Lodgings Museum, Lancaster
29-30 May
Family activities in the garden.
June
Rochdale Pioneers Museum (Co-operative Heritage Trust)
7 June
'LET’S GO WILD!' A day of free activities all about animal habitats.
Shakespeare's New Place (Shakespeare Birthplace Trust), Stratford-upon-Avon
7 June
Sustainable Shakespeare Community Day, including puppet making workshops inspired by THE HERDS.
The Mint House, Pevensey
7-8 June
Book online to join fish puppet making with a professional puppet maker, taking inspiration from a 17th-century carved fish in the Oak Room.
Herefordshire Museums & Galleries
13-15 June
Hands-on creative activities for families at the Royal Three Counties Show.
Natural History Museum at First Light Festival, Lowestoft
21-22 June
Visit the Planet Positive Marquee to meet a scientist from the Natural History Museum and create your own deep sea creature puppets.
PK Porthcurno
28 June
A large puppet made by local school children will take part in the Mazey Day parade.
Activities to do at home
Can't wait for an event? You can download fun activities to do yourself from THE HERDS website.
Let the Wildness In is a set of free resources, education and activity packs, puppet-making guides and more.