The long stretch of (hopefully) sun-filled weeks that make up the summer holidays is upon us. Here's our guide to the best ways to keep yourself, and your children entertained this year.
Harewood House, Yorkshire
Harewood House, the country house in Yorkshire, will be putting on a host of child-friendly activities this summer. There’s the ‘Colour Maze’, arts and crafts workshops in the Bakehouse, a lakeside play trail, and a woodland wonderland. You can easily lose many hours here. Throughout the summer, children’s tickets to the house are just £5. Harewood.org
Horsey Windpump, Norfolk
The idyllic old windpump in Norfolk, now a part of the National Trust, is putting on a series of free wild craft activities throughout the summer. An expert in local species, such as moths or insects, will lead each of the sessions - which will explore the creatures and end with a craft workshop. The workshops will take place every day from 22nd July until 6th September from 10am to 4pm. The nearby beach makes for the perfect place to go for an early evening stroll. Nationaltrust.org.uk
Pitzhanger's Summer Holiday Club, London
Across five days in August, Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery, W5, is hosting a ‘Summer Holiday Club’ for 7–11-year-olds, during which children can learn any number of skills: from felt making to botanical art, architecture & design, mask making, and nature-inspired art. Each session will be hosted by an experienced artist or maker. The sessions run from 10am-3pm. Tickets cost £40 per session. Pitzhanger.org.uk
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Young V&A, London
The newly opened ‘Young V&A’ is a museum and cultural space in London’s Bethnal Green where the offering will be tailored to those 14 and under. This summer sees an impressive list of reasons to visit: An animated tale is created using objects from around the V&A on ‘Storytelling Saturdays’, which will take place every Saturday between 12pm and 4pm, For three days in August, fashion designer Clara Chu will be in residency in ‘The Shed’, demonstrating her design process, and on 22nd August the ‘Toy Hack’ will offer children the chance to repair broken toys, giving them a new lease of life. vam.ac.uk/young
Natural History Museum, London
This fascinating museum is home to some of the most awe-inspiring fossils and installations. Access to the museum is free for adults and children, and there are countless ways to keep them entertained. From the dinosaur gallery, to the giant blue whale skeleton which hangs from the ceiling in the Hintze Hall, to the volcano simulator in the ‘Volcanoes and Earthquakes’ exhibition. Nhm.ac.uk
Pallant House Gallery, Chichester
Specialising in modern British art, Pallant House Gallery, in Chichester, is offering free entry to children throughout the summer, where they can enjoy not only the spectacular house and the ‘find the painting’ trail throughout, but also the drop-in art class which is taking place every day from 22nd August – 1 September. Pallant.org.uk
Knepp Estate Wildlife Safari, Sussex
If it’s teenagers that you’re looking to entertain, a visit to the Knepp Wildlife Safari, in Sussex, will do the trick. The half-day safaris will explore the 3,500 acres of rewilded land, a natural habitat to thousands of fascinating animals - from Beavers and Butterflies to Horses and Storks. While you’re there, visit the ‘Wilding Kitchen and Shop’ for lunch in the most scenic of locations. Tickets cost £75 per person. Knepp.co.uk
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Trail at Wild Place Project, Bristol
This summer, the conservation zoo, Wild Place Project, is hosting an interactive trail inspired by Eric Carle’s children’s book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The trail consists of a series of giant 3D installations and giant cocoon swings which truly bring the book to life. Just as the caterpillar in the book did, children can work their way through apple and pear archways, climb through the plum tunnels, and eventually find themselves in ‘Tower Meadow’, where a host of games and activities awaits. Children's tickets cost from £12.68. Wildplace.org.uk
Horniman Museum and Gardens, London
Nestled in the heart of South London, the Horniman Museum is brimming with fun (free) ways to spend a day with children this summer. There’s ‘Outdoor messy play’, a ‘family rave’ set to the soundtrack of jazz, soul, bougie and disco DJ’s, an aquarium and urban crazy golf. A visit to this museum is a surefire way to keep little ones happy. Horniman.ac.uk
The Woodland Trust, Various
Why not head down to a woodland trust forest for a day this summer? There are 1000 of them, scattered across the UK, each boasting a different landscape and hundreds of different species of plants and insects, making for a ready-made scavenger hunt. While on the lookout for dragonflies, reptiles and swallows, you can snack on freshly picked blackberries and enjoy a bit of fresh air. woodlandtrust.org.uk
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