BIG DRAW little people – 2026

BIG DRAW Little People returns for Summer 2026 with four weeks of colourful creativity for children and families at Sun Pier House.

Now celebrating its fifth year, this much-loved holiday programme invites young artists to draw, doodle, experiment and create in a welcoming gallery setting. Whether you’re dropping in for a free drawing session or booking onto one of our artist-led workshops, every child will have the opportunity to exhibit their artwork in the Riverside Gallery and become an official Exhibiting Artist.

This year’s theme, Colour, will transform our gallery into a vibrant rainbow of children’s artwork, celebrating imagination, creativity and the joy of making art together.

Drop in
Thursday’s, Friday’s & Saturdays

6th -29th August,

10am – 4pm

Free Drop-In Drawing Sessions

Join us for free creative fun throughout the summer holidays! Drop in and enjoy drawing activities, creative prompts and plenty of inspiration, with the opportunity to have your artwork displayed in our colourful end-of-summer exhibition.

This year’s theme celebrates colour. Inspired by the vibrant stairwell of Sun Pier House, each week will focus on one of our signature colours blue, green, pink, yellow and orange. As the summer progresses, the Riverside Gallery will be transformed into a giant rainbow of children’s artwork, celebrating the creativity of young artists across Medway.

Every child who takes part will have their artwork exhibited in the gallery and receive an Exhibiting Artist Certificate, perfect for taking back to school with a little extra bragging rights!

There’s no need to book. Simply drop in, grab a seat and get creative. All materials are provided, and you’re welcome to stay for as little or as long as you like.

While you’re here, our café will be open serving light lunches, delicious homemade cakes and great coffee. Free fruit and healthy snacks will also be available for children while they create.

Artist Workshops
Friday’s

7th, 14th, 21st & 28th August,
10.30am – 12pm
1.30pm – 3pm

Artist-Led Creative Workshops

Looking for an even bigger creative adventure? Join original BIG DRAW Little People artist Libbie as she returns for her fifth summer of delivering inspiring, hands-on workshops for our young artists.

Each 90-minute workshop is packed with playful drawing activities designed to build confidence, spark imagination and encourage children to explore new ways of making art. Expect BIG DRAW Little People favourites including Roll-a-Dice Drawing, Scribble Art, Big Doodles and plenty of creative surprises, all reimagined around this year’s colourful theme.

Together we’ll create artwork inspired by blue, green, pink, yellow and orange, helping to transform the Riverside Gallery into a spectacular rainbow of bold, bright and beautiful children’s artwork.

Every child will have the opportunity to exhibit their creations in the gallery and receive an Exhibiting Artist Certificate to celebrate their achievement.

Tickets are just £2.50 per child, with all materials included. Advance booking is recommended as places are limited.

As part of the Big Draw, BIG DRAW little people was launched in 2022, a school summer holiday programme of creative workshops and drop in drawing sessions perfect for families resulting in a large scale interactive exhibition.

We know how long the summer holidays can feel, trying to keep little people entertained and the “I’m bored, I’m hungry,… what can we dooooo” can feel endless. BIG DRAW little people was created for those days when you’d exhausted all the country parks and offered a perfect solution on a very British rainy day.

Activities are suitable for all artistic abilities and materials are all provided. All artwork is hung in the Riverside Gallery and the young people collect a certificate on becoming an exhibiting artist!

Since 2022, over 1000 young people have joined in, BIG DRAW little people has been “on tour” and become an award-winning project!

What’s next?

2025 Highlights

• 250 young people attended
• 265 post-it doodles were drawn
• 11 workshops
• Collaborated MESS ROOM, Child Friendly Medway
• Special Pride event

Workshops included:

• River Sunsets
• Riverscapes
• Ship in a bottle
• Changing Tides
• Pride Rainbows
• Barges and Boats
• 300 Footsteps

2024 Highlights

• 275 young people attended
• “On Tour”
• Visited 8 venues
• Collaborated with Child Friendly Medway
• Special Pride event

Workshops included:

• THE BIG DOODLE
• Roll-a-creature Game
• Local landscapes
• Creature Comics
• Doodle Monsters

2023 Highlights

• 380 young people attended
• Free fruit for kids
• Guest Artist Marissa Mardon

Workshops included:

• The BIG DRAW doodle mural
• Exquisite Corpse
• Word Art
• Scribble Art
• Doodle Collage Art
• Rangoli Patterns & Tangle Art

2022 Highlights

• 350 young people attended
• Free kids lunches
• Workshops delivered in spoken and British Sign language

Workshops included:

• Handprint drawing
• Giant Comic strips
• Zentangles
• Paper Puppets
• Changing bodies
• “The Big Stickathon”