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NOVUM Festival 2026 7 - 9 august 2026 Newcastle City Centre

The Lit & Phil Invention Challenge 2026: Myths and Legends

Date

Saturday 8 August & Sunday 9 August

Time

11am

Location

Newcastle Civic Centre

Join Little Inventors for the Lit & Phil Invention Challenge 2026 and create mythical inventions for modern day Newcastle!

About The Lit & Phil Invention Challenge 2026: Myths and Legends

Join Little Inventors for the Lit & Phil Invention Challenge 2026 and invent your own myths and legends for everyday life!

Long ago, people believed strange creatures, magical places and mysterious inventions existed all around them, hidden in forests, wells, rivers and roads. These stories helped our ancestors understand the world around them. Today we face different challenges like pollution, loneliness, climate change and misinformation, so perhaps we need new myths for modern life. What mythical inventions, hidden places, or legendary creatures might exist around us today? What do they do? Who do they help? Where are they found? How do they change everyday life?

Join Little Inventors for a fun, creative workshop inspired by the legendary collections of Newcastle’s Lit & Phil. Together we’ll invent, draw and make new myths for modern-day Newcastle.

WHAT TO EXPECT

  • Hands on creativity, problem-solving and imagination
  • Using recycled materials and cardboard to bring your idea to life
  • An inspiring, supporting environment where all ideas are welcome and positive feedback is always shared
  • Themes of creativity, imagination, storytelling, and making the world a better place.
  • Friendly staff and facilitators on hand to support families throughout the experience.

GOOD TO KNOW

  • 11am – 5pm (Saturday) & 11am – 4pm (Sunday)
  • This is a free drop-in experience; come and go as you like.
  • Perfect for primary school-aged children and families, and also older children who enjoy drawing, making and imaginary worlds
  • This is an outdoor event, so dress for the weather.
  • The experience is playful, relaxed, inclusive, and fully participatory.
  • It is wheelchair and pushchair accessible.
  • Children are encouraged to draw and make freely, with parents and carers supervising throughout and supporting younger children.

CREATIVE TEAM

The Lit & Phil is Newcastle’s beautiful independent library, free and open to everyone. Founded in 1793, its iconic Westgate Road home has inspired curious minds since 1825—long before the city’s universities existed—and continues to be a place to discover, learn and explore. Find out more at: www.litandphil.org.uk

Little Inventors is a creative education organisation that turns children’s big ideas into reality. Founded by artist Dominic Wilcox in Sunderland in 2016, it has grown into an award-winning international programme, with children’s inventions showcased everywhere from the UN and the International Space Station to the permanent collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Find out more at: www.littleinventors.org

This project is funded by the Reece Foundation.

For any questions or accessibility info about this event or any NOVUM programmed events or performances email: novum@newcastle.gov.uk

Explore Myths and Legends

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Event

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Address:
Newcastle Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QH

What3Words: leap.lately.faces

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