Apple Stores have a “Today at Apple” series of events for kids & families (adults too – e.g. photography, drawing and making videos) which are free but you’ll need to create an Apple Account to access them (you don’t have to buy any Apple products though).

I’ve tested this with stores in London and Edinburgh so I’m fairly sure that these sessions are run at other Apple stores too (if you find differently please let me know (@JoBrodie on socials) and I’ll update this post, thank you).

Go to https://www.apple.com/uk/today/ and click on the Kids & Families link at the top.

All the events say things like

“Bring your iPad, or we’ll provide one.”

or

“Devices will be provided”

Apple workshops for kids and families

Kids: Learn to code with Swift playground

Swift is a powerful programming language created by Apple that’s used to build many popular apps. And Swift Playground is an app for iPad that makes learning how to code interactive and fun. In this 60-minute session, we’ll show you how to get started with coding using the Swift Playground app.

Bring your iPad, or we’ll provide one. Recommended for beginner coders aged 12 and up. For sessions with amplified sound, hearing loop technology is available on request. [Find a workshop]

Kids: Code your first app

Code and create as a family with Swift Playground using iPad. Kids will experiment with code and design an app using the About Me playground. They’ll use Swift code to customise their app with fun fonts, background colours, emoji and more. Then you’ll work together to bring their app to life. Recommended for kids aged 10 and up. Devices will be provided.

For sessions with amplified sound, hearing loop technology is available on request. [Find a workshop]

Kids: Make a Theme Song

Create a theme song for a favourite show, book or game using GarageBand on iPad. We’ll cover rhythm basics, and kids will experiment with drums, add pre-recorded loops and remix their theme song. Bring your iPad, or we’ll provide one. Recommended for ages 8–12.

For sessions with amplified sound, hearing loop technology is available on request. [Find a workshop]

Kids: Create an Interactive Story of Kindness

We invite kids aged 6–10 and their families to imagine what kindness means to them by making their own interactive storybook on iPad. They’ll draw, record sounds, add fun 3D shapes and more as they dive into the world of creative storytelling. Devices will be provided.

For sessions with amplified sound, hearing loop technology is available on request. [Find a workshop]

Kids: Make your own emoji

Learn fun ways to create emoji. We’ll show kids how to draw colourful faces and objects. Then they’ll explore using the Procreate app on iPad with Apple Pencil to draw an emoji to take home. Devices will be provided. Recommended for kids aged 8–12.

For sessions with amplified sound, hearing loop technology is available on request.

[Find a workshop]

Kids: Create Comics Inspired by Planet Earth

Attention, families: your mission is to protect something you love on planet Earth. Together you’ll imagine a story with your own characters on a fun adventure. You’ll take photos, draw and add stickers to your comic strip on iPad. Recommended for kids and their parents or guardians, who must be present during the session. Devices will be provided.

For sessions with amplified sound, hearing loop technology is available on request. [Find a workshop]

Apple Summer Camp

“This year at Apple Camp, kids aged 6–10 created their own interactive storybooks inspired by kindness on iPad with Apple Pencil. Sign up to be the first to know about the next Apple Summer Camp. In the meantime, explore more sessions for kids and families happening daily at your local Apple Store.” [Sign up to receive a notification when summer camp opens]

Subscribe to be notified whenever we publish a new post to the Teaching London Computing blog.