Summer Events for Families and Their Little Ones

Make the most of the Summer Holidays with these great days out.

Northamptonshire

Outdoor Cinema Saturday 21st July: 10.30am - 6.30pm Pack some popcorn in your picnic for the annual Family Cinema Day. There will be two sessions during the day, starting with Paddington 2 at 10.30am, followed by Coco (both PG). The afternoon screening will begin at 3pm with Coco, followed by Paddington 2. Entry is Free. Daventry Country park, Northern Way, Daventry, NN11 2JB. 01327 871100. www.daventrydc.gov.uk/countrypark

Stowe - Big Camp Wednesday 1st - Friday 3rd August An exciting chance to camp out by the Temple of Friendship for two nights in a special location you’ll find nowhere else. Join in with a whole host of activities and immerse yourself in the monumental world of Stowe. Build and bond with your children and make memories of a special holiday that’ll last a lifetime. Dinner and breakfast included. £85 per adult, £35 per child. Babes in arms free. National Trust Stowe, Buckingham, MK18 5EQ. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe

Teddy Bears Picnic Wednesday 11th July: 11.30am - 1.30pm If you go down to Berzerk today you’re sure of a big surprise! Join Barney for an action-packed two hours of summer fun including games, singing and dancing. Price includes a picnic lunch for all children paying below price. £5.95 for all children. £1 for under 1’s. Berzerk Children’s Activity Centre, 4 Clayfield Close, Moulton Park, Northampton, NN3 6QF. www.trilogyleisure.co.uk/about/berzerk

Edwardian Extravaganza Sunday 11th August: 1.00pm - 5.00pm Take a step back in time to Abington 1901-1910. Take part in craft activities, fancy dress and Edwardian mini Olympics on the lawn. Enjoy music on the band stand, watch a Punch and Judy show, and try your performance skills in the Edwardian variety show! Free. Drop in - no booking required. There will be a small charge for some of the activities. Abington Park Museum, Park Avenue South, Northampton, NN1 5LW. Tel: 01604 838110. Abington Park Museum

National Play Day Wednesday 1st August: 11.00am - 3.00pm National Playday is a free national event, taking place at Wicksteed Park. With a fun-packed day of activities including: bug hunting, pond dipping, sandcastle building, den building, plus many more! Bring a picnic. Enjoy the grounds and free large playground. Car parking charges apply. Wicksteed Park, Barton Road, Kettering, NN15 6NJ. Tel: 01536 512475. www.wicksteedpark.org/events

Peppa Pig & George Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd September: 11.00am - 4.00pm Come and meet Peppa Pig at the Northampton & Lamport Railway. Peppa will be making appearances at intervals throughout the day at Pitsford & Brampton Station. Trains will be departing on the hour. Tickets are valid for 2 trips on the day of purchase. Adult £7.50, Children (2-16) £6.50, Family (2+2) £25. Pitsford Rd, Chapel Brampton, Pitsford, Northampton, NN6 8BA. www.nlr.org.uk

Delapre By The Sea Monday 6th - Sunday 12th August: 10.00am - 4.00pm Come to the beach in the middle of Northampton! All the fun of the seaside right on your doorstep. Free entry. Small charge for some of the activities. Delapre Abbey, London Road, Northampton NN4 8AW. www.delapreabbey.org

Oxfordshire

Teddy Bears Picnic Sunday 8th July: 10.30am - 3.30pm The teddies will be living it up in the Special Saloon, No 9002, and others will be making themselves at home in the engines and carriages. Teddy Crump will be entertaining visitors in the Picnic Area and there’s a Teddy Trail to follow with prizes, a name the bear competition and teddy colouring sheets. Standard admission charges apply. Didcot Railway Centre, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 7NJ. www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk

Wild Parks & Gardens Wednesday 25th July: 11.00am - 3.00pm A range of fun activities. Find out how to encourage wildlife in your garden! Find out all about the creatures that live in the parks, gardens, ponds and rivers. Try the activities for free: have a go at seed planting, bug hunting, fishing and more! Free. This event will take place in the north field in Spiceball Park. Just drop-in, no need to book. Wildlife Trust, Spiceball Park, Banbury, Oxon, OX16 2PQ. www.bbowt.org.uk

OPA Play and Activity Days Dalton Barracks - Saturday 14th July: 11.00am - 3.00pm South Abingdon - Saturday 21st July: 11.00am - 3.00pm Banbury - Thursday 26th July: 11.00am - 3.00pm Leys - Friday 27th July: 11.00am - 3.00pm These fun-packed days include a wide range of play activities including face painting, soft play, giant bubbles, fire play, go karting and much more. Entry and ALL activities are free. Free event. Visit the website for location details www.oxonplay.org.uk

Summer Activites Monday 30th July - Friday 31st August Visit Cogges this summer for adventures and creative family activities. New for 2018, enjoy the Cogges bale maize, plus daily changing drop-in craft, storytelling and outdoor play. There’s croquet on the lawn, farm animals to meet and acres of space to run wild. Free event. Standard admission charges apply. Cogges Manor Farm, Church Lane, Witney, OX28 3LA. www.cogges.org.uk

Big Birthday Bonanza Thursday 23rd August: 10.30am - 4.00pm It is the River & Rowing Museum’s 20th Birthday! Help them celebrate in a day full of birthday fun and surprises. Can Mr Toad blow out the candles on the giant birthday cake? Will Badger enjoy the balloons? Join them for masses of family fun! Free event. Standard admission charges apply. River & Rowing Museum, Mill Meadows, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1BF. www.rrm.co.uk

Paw Patrol Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th August: 10.30am - 5.00pm Trains, fire engines and PAW Patrol – what more do you need for the perfect family day out?! Come and admire the heritage fire engines and enjoy train rides. You can also see PAW Patrol’s Marshall who will be making several special guest appearances. Standard admission charges apply. Bucks Rail Centre, Quainton Road Station Rd, Quainton, Aylesbury HP22 4BY. www.bucksrailcentre.org

Sci-Fi Weekend Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th August: 10.00am - 5.00pm The Sci-Fi Weekend returns again. Lots of aliens from TV and film will be invading. Dress up as a sc-i-fi character. Standard admission charges apply. Fairytale Farm, Southcombe, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 5QH. www.fairytalefarm.co.uk

MK/Buckinghamshire

The Parks Trust Playday Celebration Wednesday 1st August: 12noon - 4.00pm Join The Parks Trust’s rangers and outdoor learning team for a family fun afternoon with games and activities, including face painting, storytelling and bug hunting. Free for all to attend and enjoy! Stonepit Field. Park in the car park on Wolverton Road opposite Oakridge Park. Free Event. Stonepit Field, Great Linford, Milton Keynes MK14 5AT. www.theparkstrust.com

Terrific Tuesdays and Creative Thursdays Every Tuesday & Thursday (during the Bucks school holidays) Terrific Tuesday: themed activity and craft days. Creative Thursday is where artists and crafts people will be demonstrating and children can have a go at arty activities, and take part in the national Arts Award Discover. All activities included within the Museum’s standard admission price. Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, HP8 4AB. www.coam.org.uk

1940s Weekend Saturday 1st & 2nd September: 11.00am - 4.00pm Visit the museum and see some of the stars of WW2. Join in with the Army manoeuvres and practical lessons in make do, and mend from Mrs Skivvy. Climb aboard vehicles from the Second World War. Plus, all the usual museum attractions. Standard admission charges apply. Pay once, enter free all year. Milton Keynes Museum, McConnell Drive, Wolverton, Milton Keynes, MK12 5EL. www.miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk

Amazing Summer Adventures Saturday 21st July - Sunday 2nd September: 10.00am - 5.30pm The Oddsocks Family return, bringing with them themed shows, arts, crafts and Summer-time games. You won’t want to miss it! There’s stacks of animal fun, indoor play & outdoor adventure. Enjoy the NEW water play area. Standard admission charges apply. Odds Farm Park, Wooburn Common, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP10 0LX. www.oddsfarm.co.uk

At Home with the Georgians Saturday 14th July: 10.30am - 4.00pm Come and immerse yourself in the life and past times of the Georgians. Take a guided tour, see demonstrations of Georgian cookery, learn a Georgian dance. Have a go at traditional crafts and see local experts in action. A full day of fascinating demonstrations, informative talks and children’s activities. Free event. Standard admission charges apply. The Cowper and Newton Museum, Orchard Side, Market Place, Olney, MK46 4AJ. www.cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk

Play In The Park Aylesbury Wednesday 1st August: 11.00am - 4.00pm Fun and games including a climbing wall, circus skills, drumming and more! As well as activities, there will be refreshments and local organisations. Free to attend. Certain activities have charges. Vale Park, Park Street, Aylesbury HP20 1DX. www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/play-park

Warwickshire

The Duck Race Wednesdays in August: 2.00pm - 2.30pm Get all the family together and head to Coughton Court for the annual duck race. Pick a numbered rubber duck and cheer it on from the bridge. Prizes are on offer. Make a day of it by taking part in traditional family games and browsing the classic cars on show. £2 per duck. Standard admission charges apply. Coughton Court, Alcester, B49 5JA. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coughton-court

The Big Picnic Saturday 21st July: 12noon - 4.00pm The Big Picnic returns to Anne Hathaway’s Cottage this summer. Enjoy garden games, face painting and an outdoor puppet theatre performance. For an extra special treat, why not tuck in to some sizzling barbecue delights. Free entry for Stratford-upon-Avon (CV37) residents (with proof of address). Tickets: Adult £12.50, Child £8, Family (2 adults and up to 4 children) £33. Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Shottery, CV37 9HH. www.shakespeare.org.uk

Free Theatre Performance Saturday 28th July: 11.00am - 2.00pm Reynard the Fox is a new piece of engaging outdoor theatre for family audiences of all ages, using The Fabularium’s unique aesthetic, strong imagery and all performed upon their traditional wooden cart. It will feature storytelling, puppetry, original live music and The Fabularium’s bespoke animal headpieces. Free but we ask you to ‘reserve’ a place. Foundry Wood, Princes Drive, Leamington Spa, CV32 6AF. www.foundrywood.co.uk

Meet The Mini-Beast Monday 23rd July - Sunday 2nd September: 10.00am - 6.00pm In the Discovery Zone children and adults can take part in twice daily ‘Meet the Mini-Beast’ handling sessions with one of the friendly team members and hold creatures such as a giant millipede, African land snail and a variety of stick insects. Standard admission charges apply. Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm, Swans Nest Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 7LS. www.butterflyfarm.co.uk

Medieval Mayhem Wednesday 25th July - Friday 31st August: 11.00am - 5.00pm (excluding 28th & 29th July and 26th & 27th Aug) Get set for a summer packed with time-travelling fun! With lots to see and do, the Hands on History Crew will be bringing history to life throughout the holidays, including a chance to learn the ingenious secrets of castle-building. Adults £11.30 Children £6.80 Members: FREE Kenilworth Castle, Castle Green, Kenilworth CV8 1NG. www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenilworth-castle

Land Rover's 70th Birthday Saturday 21st July - Sunday 2nd September: 10.00am - 5.00pm The British Motor Museum is celebrating Land Rover’s 70th Birthday with some great themed family activities! Follow the Land Rover Explorer Trail. Get creative and make your own model Land Rover. Over 300 cars to discover as well as the new Car S.O.S Exhibition. Adult £14, Child £9, Family £39. Buy 1 day get 12 months free. The British Motor Museum, Banbury Rd, Gaydon CV35 0BJ. www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk

Campfire and Survival Dens Friday 31st August: 10.30am - 12.00pm Come and have some fun discovering how to design and build your own woodland shelter. The Rangers will be on hand to provide tips, materials and help. At the end toast some marshmallows on a camp fire. For 3 years+ £4.50 Per child, booking essential 02476 305592. Ryton Pools Country Park, Ryton Road, Bubbenhall, Coventry, CV8 3BG. www.countryparks.warwickshire.gov.uk Details are correct at time of printing but may change. Please check with the event host for prices, times & dates.