Take a look at our top picks of things to keep the children entertained during the school holidays
A
Abbey Gardens, Bury St Edmunds is a lovely place to visit this summer, with the children’s sandpit and water features, playpark, aviary and ruins. And, if that isn’t enough, on 30th August, the outdoor theatre returns to the Abbey Gardens, with David Walliams’ ‘Ratburger’ for children aged 7+ and their families!
www.whatsonwestsuffolk.co.uk
B
Become a spy for the day at Si5 Spy Missions in Cambridge, and take part in a day of exciting missions and top secret activities.
www.spymissions.co.uk
C
Curve Motion, in Bury St Edmunds, caters for all ages from toddlers through to teens. The gigantic soft play frame will keep them entertained, whilst other activities such as the roller-rink will offer something different.
www.curvemotion.com
D
Dory is lost and it’s time to find her! Yes, the long awaited sequel to Disney’s Finding Nemo came out on July 29th, just in time for the school holidays.
www.abbeygatecinema.co.uk
E
Ely is a city that offers so much to see and do. Start by the river, grab a bite to eat and feed the ducks. Kids will be in awe of Ely Cathedral’s overwhelming presence, so take a trip and inspire the children with this epic piece of architecture.
www.elycathedral.org
F
Festivals spring to mind when we think summertime. FolkEast, held in the grounds of Glemham Hall, near Woodbridge, Suffolk, “one of the best world music, roots and folk festivals in the UK, for 2016”, offers free admission for children up to the age of 11.
www.folkeast.co.uk
G
Get wet and make a splash. Cherry Hinton Hall Park, Cambridge, has a splash pool and Newmarket Memorial Park also has a splash area, making them great places for warm, sunny days. If the weather isn’t so great, take to the flumes at Abbeycroft Leisure, Bury St Edmunds, or Parkside Pools, Cambridge.
www.acleisure.com
www.better.org.uk
H
Hobbies – can you spike your kids’ interest in a hobby? Take them to an art and craft shop such as Tindalls (Newmarket and Cambridge), or try out what’s on offer at Denny Brothers (Bury St Edmunds) where you will find everything from découpage, t-shirt printing or glass painting.
www.dennybrosshops.co.uk
I
Investigate… how bridges and rockets work, with experts from Cambridge University Engineering Dept. If science fascinates your kids, why not join them as they build and test their own designs at this workshop at Cambridge Museum of Technology. Every Wednesday in August.
info@museumoftechnology.com
J
Jog, run or skip around The Playground. Not just any playground, but a purpose-built obstacle course in Barrow, near Bury St Edmunds, that offers ‘Family Play’. You have 90 minutes as a family to combat 25 obstacles involving tyre runs, hay bale pyramids and log leaps.
www.theplaygrounduk.com
K
Karting at WildTracks is perfect if your kids are thrill seekers and enjoy a challenge. Wildtracks is well known for its karting, but has a range of other activities on offer from quad biking, clay pigeon shooting and air gun practice.
www.wildtracksltd.co.uk
L
Lego, who doesn’t love it? Enjoyed equally by boys and girls, its popularity also spans the generations. St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds, is putting on a series of Lego events. Take part in the space-themed workshop (3rd August), or mini-world-themed workshop (17th August).
www.stedscathedral.uk
M
Milton Maize Maze will be open from 15th July until 4th September, with this year’s design being pirate-themed. Once they’ve solved the maze, the kids can enjoy the giant sandpit, bouncy castles and zip wire challenges, or chill out and have a picnic in the wildflower meadow.
www.themiltonmaizemaze.co.uk
N
Nowton Park, Bury St Edmunds, has some great outdoor events for children this summer; they can make and sail Nature Boats, make and fly kites, or take part in Scavenger Hunt Bingo and win a prize! Make sure you book for the kite-making workshops on 8th & 10th August, or the Nature Boat Session on 24th August.
www.whatsonwestsuffolk.co.uk
O
Oh fe fi fo fum! Take the kids to see the fabulously witty and brilliantly bouncy children’s musical, The Giant’s Loo Roll. Showing at the Apex in Bury St Edmunds, on 1st August. Watch out for some frightened sheep, lots of excited children and a fantastic amount of toilet paper in this rip roaring new musical!
www.whatsonwestsuffolk.co.uk
P
Participate in the Magna Carta Barons’ Prize Trail and learn about history as you explore Bury St Edmunds. Find all 26 of the decorated bollards depicting the barons, and write the letters on each one on your entry form – you could even win a shopping voucher! Download the entry form at
www.ourburystedmunds.com/trails
Q
Queuing is naff so don’t do it! The first ever stage adaptation of the zany, hilarious children’s book Aliens Love Underpants is coming to The Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds on 23rd & 24th August. Be quick to get your ticket, so your kids can appreciate the stunning effects, madcap action and original music.
www.theatreroyal.org
R
Racing (horseracing that is!) is now a number one family activity, especially with all the fun things Newmarket Racecourses have planned. On 13th August, the children will be treated to a surprise visit from The Gruffalo, whilst on 26th August, there’s a Super Hero Day, with a competition for the best dressed super hero.For a full line up of events and family activities visit
www.newmarket.thejockeyclub.co.uk
S
Summer starts with storytime… From snowy stories and activities at The Polar Museum to Aesop-inspired tales at The Museum of Classical Archaeology; plant and wildlife stories at the Botanic Garden and local stories and legends at The Museum of Cambridge; and even adventure stories inspired by the drawings of Charles Darwin’s children at The Sedgwick Museum, there’s no shortage of storytelling in Cambridge this summer.
www.museums.cam.ac.uk
T
Take the train at Audley End Miniature Railway and enjoy spotting the teddies as the train passes through the enchanted forest. Your day doesn’t end there, as you can enjoy the fairy walk, mini vintage fair and have a picnic in the park.
www.audley-end-railway.co.uk
U
Utterly, utterly amazing…From programming Big Trak robots to building an electronic dice; designing a game controller to creating a simple intruder alarm; creating the basics of a moving robot and finding out what a Microbit can do, this summer’s events at The Centre for Computing History in Cambridge really are Utterly Amazing. And what’s more, you can join in the fun with your kids.
www.museums.cam.ac.uk
V
Veto the technology and get outdoor and in the wild at Thetford Forest, the UK’s largest man-made lowland forest. Go for a bike ride, explore its mixture of pines, broadleaved trees and heathland, and enjoy its many play areas. If you’re feeling adventurous, take to the high ropes with Go Ape, but booking is always advisable.
www.forestry.gov.uk
W
Wild bushcraft with bushcraft expert John Stewart at West Stow Anglo Saxon Village.
On 6th and 13th August, learn skills such as fire-making, shelter-building, tracking, wild foods, spoon carving and much more. There’s even the chance to stay overnight!
www.weststow.org
X
XXXXX… this is the sound of a sewing machine (I know, we’re clutching at straws!). But still, join in with the summer sewing fun at The Sewing Studio in Bury St Edmunds, in sessions aimed at children aged 9-13 years. Dates for the first session are 1st – 5th August, with the second session running from 8th- 12th August.
www.sewingstudioclasses.co.uk
Y
Yummy cookery courses at Cambridge Cookery School will not only provide something fun but will enhance your kids’ skills for life. They can take a course in breads, tapas or breakfast, and even find out how to create the perfect garden tea party.
www.cambridgecookeryschool.com
Z
Get some ZZZZ, you must be shattered!
The post A-Z OF THINGS TO DO WITH THE KIDS THIS SUMMER appeared first on Velvet Magazine.