A box of building bricks or connecting rods has given pleasure to generations of children, and tested the ingenuity of designers and makers. See an exhibition of childhood favourites and historical rarities- and try some of them of them out. Talks with architectural historian Alan Powers on both days, and giant constructions with architect Ambrose Gillick on Sunday. Suitable for all.

Join Clayground Collective in Queen’s Gardens for a hands-on clay experience as part of Open House weekend. Shape your own version of Croydon - past, present or imagined - using raw clay. Recreate iconic landmarks like No.1 Croydon ("The 50p Building"), Croydon Clocktower, Fairfield Halls or even the Whitgift Almshouses, or invent a future skyline from your imagination.

Explore drawing a new design for an arrival point at East Croydon station as part of the Build/Play/Wear/Draw Croydon event. This is a fun and relaxed event – with the Croydon Urban Room team, you will draw your designs and ideas for what would improve your arrival at East Croydon Station and encourage you to travel into the centre of Croydon. This is a drop-in drawing activity for all ages.

Bring the ideas in your imagination to life in a MATT+FIONA big build at this year’s Open House! Using recycled materials, cardboard, colourful fabric and some nifty fixings, we’ll be reimagining a eco-friendly, joyful Croydon of the future in Queen's Gardens.

The Norman Fisher Observatory is owned and run by Croydon Astronomical Society. Open for the public to visit on clear Saturday evenings from September through to April, we will welcome visitors on Sunday 14th September between 2pm & 4pm.

Join storyteller and author Bernadette Russell as she tells the tales of the amazing Gigglemugs, and the day that they uncovered the incredible and surprising secrets of Croydon Town Hall. Plus: find out how to become a modern-day member of The Gigglemugs yourself! This tour is designed for children aged 5-8 years old (siblings and grown ups welcome).

Charles Henman, 1896

Explore drawing in Croydon’s Queens Gardens in a fun and relaxed Charcoal Drawing event run by local artist Neal Vaughan. We'll draw the buildings and nature together, reflecting on what it is like to live in a city like Croydon. For all ages.

Artist Samia Tossio invites children to create wearable “architectural hats” representing Croydon landmarks such as the NLA tower (lovingly referred to as the 50p building) or skylines, using recycled and upcycled materials. We will provide easy print-outs of Croydon specific, London specific, and famous London buildings for younger children.