The Hive’s new flying mission! Inspired by Leonardo’s amazing machines, this week-long project is all about INVENTION. Your challenge: dream up, design and build a machine that can fly long enough for you to win Gold at our inaugural Air Show!
First you will need to investigate the forces of flight: how does a flying machine lift? How does it push against gravity? What is the force that makes it move forward? Then come the design and aeronautics: will it glide, will it use a propeller like a helicopter, wings like a plane, buoyancy like a hot air balloon or ballistic flight like a rocket?
On this mission, working with your fellow engineers, you will get the chance to create, build and test lots of different machines such as parachutes, air balloons, planes, catapults, ballistae, rockets and helicopters. One machine per team will then be chosen to compete in the final challenge!
If all goes well, you will be taking to the skies on the last day of the mission* to take part in our very own Air Show– albeit on a smaller scale! Which team's flying machine will win Gold? Aerobatics optional ☺
This mission is in development. The full itinerary will be published in January 2026.
Please note that our daily itinerary is a guide, and some activities may need to be changed or rescheduled when circumstances occasionally make it difficult for us to run them, including poor weather. We’ll always do our best to offer enjoyable alternatives and, wherever possible, run the planned activity on an alternative day.
TYPE OF MISSION
Makers Lab
RECOMMENDED AGE RANGE
8 - 11 (Years 4 - 6)
Because of the nature of this mission and the specific skills and activities involved, it is only suitable for children aged 8 and above. If you have any questions or would like to discuss whether it’s right for your child, please feel free to call or email the team - we’ll be very happy to advise.
FACILITATION
This mission is delivered by facilitators experienced in design and making with children, with a professional and educational background. We operate an overall ratio of between 1:8 and 1:10 in our camps. All facilitators are DBS and reference checked; all undergo The Hive in-house safeguarding training. Sites include fully qualified First Aiders.
MISSION DURATION
Four-day mission with the flexibility to book 1 - 4 days.
DAILY TIMES
9.30am - 4pm.
Extended care is also available from 8.30am to 6pm - an additional charge applies.
END OF MISSION SHOWCASE
All Hive missions finish with an exhibition, showcase or performance for parents. The format depends on each particular mission. We usually ask parents to arrive between 15 and 30 minutes early to get the most out of the showcases.
PRICES
The price for this five-day mission starts at £84.00 per child for one day. The price decreases as more days are booked. We also offer sibling, multi-week and group discounts. Please click here to see our price list.
HIVE T-SHIRT
One free Hive T-Shirt is given to each child on this mission. Replacements will be charged for at a rate of £8.00 per T-shirt.
