Free Colombian culture workshops for children in London: October Saturdays and a half-term camp

Do your children know Colombia mostly as "where Mum and Dad are from"? This month they can get to know it up close, for free.

Colombia Colores is a series of workshops for children aged 5 to 12 where they learn about Colombia through play: music, dance, art, food, myths and Indigenous cultures. They're run by Children Change Colombia, a UK charity, and they're free. This October there are two Saturdays left and a three-day camp for the half-term holiday.

"Colombia Colores has been a safe and happy place for my son (…) where Colombian culture, language and music are part of everyday life. He has grown in confidence, and the best sign is that at the end of the day he asks the teachers why the time went so fast," says the father of a 7-year-old who has been coming to the workshops for more than two years (translated from Spanish).

Colombia Colores children in Children Change Colombia T-shirts, each holding a rose, pose with two teachers, shading their eyes with their hands — Colombia Colores children and teachers. Photo courtesy of Children Change Colombia, used with permission.

October Saturdays in Elephant & Castle

When: Saturday 24 and Saturday 31 October, 11am–1pm.
Where: St Jude's Centre, St George's Road, Elephant & Castle, SE1 6EZ.
Who: children aged 5–12.
Places: 20 per session.
How to sign up: Saturday registration form.

With 20 places per Saturday, it's worth signing up a few days ahead.

Half-term camp: 27, 28 and 29 October

When: Tuesday 27, Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 October, 11am–1pm.
Where: Calthorpe Community Garden, 258–274 Gray's Inn Road, WC1X 8LH (near King's Cross).
Who: children aged 5–12.
Places: 35 per day.
How to sign up: camp registration form.

Children at the Colombia Colores summer camp with masks and colourful balloons, alongside two Children Change Colombia staff — The Colombia Colores summer camp. Photo courtesy of Children Change Colombia, used with permission.

For the little ones: nurturing touch workshops in November

Children Change Colombia also funds free workshops for families with babies and young children, together with Blossom & Berry and El Recreo. They bring to London what has been learnt in Cartagena about nurturing touch: contact and play as a way to bond with your baby.

Eltham: Thursday 12 November, Fresh Ground Coffee House (SE9 6DH).
Croydon (Thornton Heath): Saturday 14 November, Paxton Academy (CR7 6AW).
Holborn: Friday 27 November, at CCC's office, Richbell House (WC1N 3LA).

Each venue has two groups: babies aged 2–12 months and little ones aged 1–5. Places are limited: times and free booking on El Recreo's page (in Spanish).

Who's behind it

Children Change Colombia (CCC) is a charity registered in England and Wales (no. 1075037) that has spent 35 years working with local organisations in Colombia to protect children and young people from violence, exclusion and recruitment by armed groups. It has offices in London and Bogotá.

Colombia Colores is its first project in London. It started because Colombian families here asked for it: they wanted regular workshops so their children, whether born in Colombia or second and third generation here, could get to know where they come from. More than teaching facts, the idea is for children to feel part of something: to make friends and meet other young Colombians in London.

It has been running for three years, on Saturdays and during the school holidays. "This space doesn't just strengthen children's Spanish and build community ties; it also empowers them to discover and value having two cultures and to feel proud of their roots from afar," explains Yvonne Velásquez, Outreach Coordinator for Colombia Colores (translated from Spanish).

"As an immigrant living in the UK, I understand how important community and connection can be. When I worked at the summer camp, I was struck by how engaged and excited the children were to come back each day and learn something new," adds Laura Kadluczka, from CCC's communications team.

Not in London? The Colombia Colores activity workbooks can be downloaded free from CCC's website, to use at home or at school. CCC also runs its annual Thames Walks, where you can learn about its projects and meet other people connected to Colombia.

Group photo at the 2026 Thames Walk in a park: dozens of people in CCC T-shirts, Colombian flags and a dancer in a tricolour skirt — Children Change Colombia's 2026 Thames Walk. Photo © photoGeniaPM, courtesy of Children Change Colombia, used with permission.

If you'd like to help in Colombia

The 10 August earthquake, with its epicentre in Chocó, hit one of the poorest regions in the country. CCC's emergency appeal for affected children and families is still open: you can donate on its Donorbox page.

The community in London has stepped up too: the 10 October screening with the London Colombian Film Festival and "Arte que Abraza", with LA United and Talentos Dance School, raised funds for the region. More ideas in our story How to help from London.

Dancers in traditional Colombian dress, white skirts with ruffles in the colours of the flag, at Arte que Abraza — Arte que Abraza, which raised funds for Chocó. Photo courtesy of Children Change Colombia, used with permission.

The Children Change Colombia team poses beside the London Colombian Film Festival sign — CCC team at the gala opening of the London Colombian Film Festival. Photo courtesy of Children Change Colombia, used with permission.

Sign your children up for a Saturday or the camp using the forms above, and share this with your school or family group: there's bound to be another family looking for a half-term plan.

Information, quotes and photos provided by Children Change Colombia; information checked on 19 October 2026 on its website and El Recreo's. Children Change Colombia has given us permission to publish its photos in this article, and the families of the children pictured have signed consent forms. If you appear in a photo and would like us to remove it, email hola@dalelatino.com and we'll take it down. DaleLatino receives no money for this article.