This was what we did in terms of child-friendliness at Nine Worlds 2013. Future conventions will hopefully be even more megatastic!
The vast majority of our daytime content is suitable for teenagers and adults, and accompanied under-16s are most welcome too: a minority of 16+ or 18+ only sessions are marked in the schedule. Content after 8.30pm may be more adult-oriented, and parents are advised that we can't make promises about the family-friendly nature of the event in general after 8.30pm - please use your own discretion!
In addition, we've a few sessions that are specifically designed for pre-teens, and some that can be enjoyed by all ages. A list of those sessions is below. Everything's in the Renaissance hotel. These aren't a creche, they're for families to enjoy together!
Under-16s must be accompanied by their adult at all times (sorry, teens.) We're running a daily parents' meet-and-greet, where you can find other parents and arrange informal childcare if you'd like. We don't have an intercom: please leave your phone number with your kid in case they get lost, and bring any lost kids to the safety desk in the Renaissance.
For information for parents with infants, see the access guide.
Accompanied children are very welcome at the swordplay masterclasses with Miltos Yerolemou - see here for booking details.
FRIDAY
3.15: Steampunk track, Windsor Room
Pimp My Nerf
Nerf guns are very popular with steampunks - they're affordable, fun toys that are easily decorated and modified to fit the steampunk aesthetic and are ever useful in playing Steampunks Vs. Zombies. Bring your own along too to show it off or get some ideas. Kids very welcome!
5.00: Game of Thrones track, Viscount Room
Sigil Designing Workshop
We all love our favourite houses, but what if we could design our own? Come along and design your own sigil and house words to decorate the walls of our dedicated Game of Thrones space at NineWorlds! Art supplies available, or bring your own! Unlike the rest of the track, this workshop is child friendly.
6.45pm: (for gore lovers) Blood & Guts 101: creating basic stage wounds, Vanguard Room
Fancy recreating the special effects from your favourite scary movies? Learn bruises and superficial cuts in this workshop - after a short demo explaining the theory, everyone can have a go, with advice along the way on bringing realism to your work. We'll round off the session with a more advanced effect you might want to bring out for your next Halloween costume: a deep, realistic vampire bite. Age suitability: PG – accompanied children are welcome but be advised this is a wound workshop. There will be (fake) blood.
Parents' Meetups
3.15pm - Renaissance Bar
8.30pm - Nimrod Room
SATURDAY
9am - Parents' Meetup, Renaissance Bar
10am - Fanfic track, Trident room
What Happens Next? Fanfic workshop for pre-teens
Are you a pre-teen, and enthusiastic about books, films and/or television? Or a parent of one? Find out how to release that creativity by coming along to this workshop on fanfic for children. All you need is a favourite character – we'll help you do the rest! We'll also discuss how children can safely engage with fanfic on the internet. Children must bring a responsible adult.
10am - Vampires track, Vanguard room
Fangzines: a vampire-created media workshop
A creative space for making pieces of media from a world where vampires exist. Think bloody menus, anti-vampire warning posters, news articles or guides for baby vamps amongst other things. Let your imagination run wild and create something with bite! Fandoms: Anything vampire related. Bring your own. Age suitability: Moderate (PG). Vampires are vampires, but this is aiming toward the lighthearted. Triggers: Mild discussions of fictional blood and blood drinking, and possibly some discussions of fictional violence.
10am - 1pm (drop-in) Muggle Quidditch, Marlborough room
Attendees at Nine Worlds will get the opportunity to learn about the sport from Quidditch UK's experienced players on Saturday. Once you've learnt the basics of the game, you'll be given a broom, assigned a team position (whether that is Chaser, Keeper, Beater or Seeker) and will get to play a Quidditch match with your fellow convention attendees.
11.30 - 1.00pm - Steampunk track, Windsor room
Steampunk Kids' Craft Zone
Panels, presentations, discussions and signings are all great fun, but some of our younger geeks might want to do something a bit more hands on and crafty. Our steampunk Kids Craft Zone will be running on Saturday and Sunday with crafty activities, making and decorating your own card goggles and badges, along with other neat ideas. Places are limited and advance signup is recommended.
1.15 - 2.00pm: Cosplay Contest, Renaissance Lobby
Come and enter the Nine Worlds cosplay contest! Get photographed in your cosplay, leave your contact details, and our judges will do the rest! Categories for adults, kids and most original/standout - winners announced Sunday evening. Check out http://cosplaykids.tumblr.com/ for inspiration!
1.30pm - Steampunk track, Windsor Room
Tea Duelling!
The noble art of Tea Duelling: how to settle an argument with nothing more than a cup of tea and a biscuit. Sign up to compete and ultimately gain the title of “Nine Worlds Champion” to win a free pass for Weekend at the Asylum, the UK steampunk festival, to compete in the National Championship. Want to learn the rules in advance and practice? Get all the details here: http://teaduel.yolasite.com/
Advance sign up is recommended, and junior competitors are very welcome.
5.00pm - Geek Feminism track, Lancaster Room
Geek Feminism for Pre-Teens
A fun introduction to feminism, with Girlguiding UK leader Tracy Hawkes.
20:30 - Teenage Kicks: Writing for Young Adult Audiences, George I
Authors and editors of young adult fiction discuss writing for teenagers: how is it different from adult fiction? What are the current trends? Most importantly, how long can the panellists go without mentioning the Twilight series?
Liz de Jager, Tom Pollock, Cory Doctorow, Catherine Banner, Amanda Rutter (moderator)
SUNDAY
9am - Parents' Meetup, Renaissance Bar
10am - 11.15 - Kids' Craft Session - hosted by the Video Games Culture track, Lancaster Room
Let's face it, who doesn't love making things? This session is child-friendly, and will feature a bunch of crafty activities for you to enjoy. Ideally suited for 3+, there's no maximum age limit, so if you fancy coming doing some colouring in, sticking and gluing, do come along – children or no!
11.30am - 12noon: Cosplay Contest, Renaissance Lobby
Come and enter the Nine Worlds cosplay contest! Join the queue to be photographed in your cosplay, leave your contact details, and our judges will do the rest! Categories for adults, kids and most original/standout - winners announced Sunday evening. Check out http://cosplaykids.tumblr.com/ for inspiration!
11.30 - 1.00pm - Steampunk track, Windsor room
Steampunk Kids' Craft Zone
Panels, presentations, discussions and signings are all great fun, but some of our younger geeks might want to do something a bit more hands on and crafty. Our steampunk Kids Craft Zone will be running Saturday and Sunday with crafty activities, making and decorating your own card goggles and badges, along with other neat ideas. Places are limited and advance signup is recommended.
11.45 - 1.00pm - (for gore lovers) Blood & Guts 201: creating basic stage wounds
Burns and bruises - after a short demo explaining the theory, everyone can have a go, with advice along the way on bringing realism to your work. We'll round off the session with a more advanced effect; this time we're doing an infected knife wound. Age suitability: PG – accompanied children are welcome but be advised this is a wound workshop. There will be (fake) blood.
1.30pm - Steampunk track, Windsor Room
Tea Duelling!
The noble art of Tea Duelling: how to settle an argument with nothing more than a cup of tea and a biscuit. Sign up to compete and ultimately gain the title of “Nine Worlds Champion” to win a free pass for Weekend at the Asylum, the UK steampunk festival, to compete in the National Championship. Want to learn the rules in advance and practice? Get all the details here: http://teaduel.yolasite.com/
Advance sign up is recommended, and junior competitors are very welcome.
You can also see these sessions in the Lanyrd timetable.