Festival of Mischief: fun activities for all the family



Inspired by the mischief and mayhem unleashed by the fun-loving residents of Seaton Delaval Hall, we've created a Festival of Mischief to keep you and your family entertained during the May half-term break.
There's a mind-boggling array of playful activities that will spark your imagination, make you laugh, and appeal to your silly side.
We've got top tips from comedians on putting on a family comedy show, dressing up, funny faces, havoc in the kitchen, and much more.
Many of the historic houses we look after have connections with some of history's most prolific party-goers, performers, artists and mischief makers.
One family that particularly stands out is the Delavals, whose eccentricity and flamboyant lifestyle made their home, Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberland, one of the most entertaining places to be in Georgian Britain. They were known for their practical jokes, lavish dinner parties and lively theatrical productions. We've drawn on their sense of fun to bring you the Festival of Mischief.
These activities have been designed so they can be done in your house or garden, so please take part from the comfort of your own home.
This work has been created by Animator Thom Sansom and Art Director Jacob Brown as part of the Rising Stars partnership between Northumbria University and the National Trust at Seaton Delaval Hall, with graphics by founded.design. Rising Stars is funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Party food, past and present
Food and drink were a very important part of the lavish parties and theatrical events held at Seaton Delaval Hall. Guests attending a play at the house in February 1792 were treated to an enormous feast. Ox tongues, a boar’s head, lobsters, a variety of hams and fillets of veal were some of the many dishes on the menu.
There was also a huge array of different desserts, including apple tarts, cheesecakes, plates of jellies, blancmange, blanched almonds, apricot tartlets and savoy cake. That’s not to mention the 54 bottles of port and 45 gallons of cask ale, which were just some of the beverages on offer.
" Play matters, for creativity, for our wellbeing, for fun and distraction, for making sense of the world around us. When we play, new possibilities and imaginations are ignited."
Tell a joke




From Ned the Nature Nut’s Nutty Nature Facts and Jokes, published by Nosy Crow
Text © Andy Seed 2017
Illustrations © Sarah Horne 2017
From Ned the Nature Nut’s Nutty Nature Facts and Jokes, published by Nosy Crow
Text © Andy Seed 2017
Illustrations © Sarah Horne 2017
From Ned the Nature Nut’s Nutty Nature Facts and Jokes, published by Nosy Crow
Text © Andy Seed 2017
Illustrations © Sarah Horne 2017
From Ned the Nature Nut’s Nutty Nature Facts and Jokes, published by Nosy Crow
Text © Andy Seed 2017
Illustrations © Sarah Horne 2017
Make a funny face or a strange object
The historic houses and gardens we look after have some weird and wonderful objects that make you look twice. We're talking about grimacing gargoyles, funny statues and some strange collection items, including a tray of glass eyes.
Take a ride on the carousel below, which is packed full of funny faces, puzzle cups and unusual household objects. Use what you find as inspiration to draw a design for your own quirky object. Write your own label to reveal what it's made of and how it's used. Or you could even have a go at impersonating some of the funny faces that you see.






Artificial flowers
This framed floral design at Dunham Massey, Cheshire, is not actually made of dried flowers, but of hair. Hairwork, as it was known, was a popular craft in the mid-nineteenth century.
Water works
This funny bronze mask at Snowshill Manor and Garden in Gloucestershire spits out water.
Deceiving dummies
The purpose of 17th-century dummy boards is unclear, but they were sometimes used as part of practical jokes to trick people into thinking someone was in the room with them. Flicking firelight would have made them lifelike.
Something fishy
These unusual silver fish were used as containers for scents and vinaigrettes. They once belonged to the 3rd Marchioness of Bristol.
Pull a funny face
A limestone mask head sticking its tongue out at Polesden Lacey in Surrey.
Monkeying around
This unusual figure is in fact a flower pot. It has been decorated with fig/ivy leaves, and makes an amusing addition to the garden at Mount Stewart in County Down. Can you create your own funny object?
Fun for families
Explore our fun family-friendly ideas for things to do indoors and outside at the places in our care. Make the most of your time with the kids