Fun for all the family at this year's International Festival of Glass

Archaeological digs, puppet workshops and storytelling will all feature at the annual event which returns to the town between May 28 and 31.

Young visitors can try their hand at sandblasting, glass painting, leather, felt and willow crafts as well as using 19th century photography techniques.

Festival poet Emma Purshouse will be on hand to create sonnets for people in need of a literary pick-me-up, while Nutkhut’s stilt princesses will be striding the site in full jewels and silks, combining elegance and humour as they entertain.

Broadfield House Glass Museum will be hosting a Ladies Day, where visitors of all ages can have a go at glass crafts, take part in a tour and watch glass blowing demonstrations, while visitors to the Red House Glass Cone can learn how to fuse glass, with the chance to make fused glass bugs.

Elisabeth Johnson, festival coordinator, said: “The International Festival of Glass manages to combine world-class exhibitions and breathtaking designs with good old family fun.

“We have a huge range of family activities and family arts and craft sessions running across the Stourbridge Glass Quarter. We even have puppets serving tea!”

“Children and families certainly won’t be disappointed when they head to the festival.”

Elsewhere visitors can watch the winning entry of s Children’s Doodle Challenge being transformed from a child’s drawing to a three-dimensional artwork and there will also be donkey rides, falconry displays, crafty workshops and a real fire engine as part of the festivities.

Two fun days will give families the chance to step back in time with the Guild of St Edmund, who will be showing visitors what medieval life as like, with knights, demonstrations showing the techniques of glassmaking from Roman times and medieval crafts.

For more information, including dates and costs of all the events, activities and exhibitions taking place throughout the festival, visit www.ifg.org.uk