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Summer holiday activities for children in Suffolk

Updated: 1/6/2015

10 Things to do before Summer’s Up

Before you know it, September will be here and the children will be returning to school. So, in the meantime, how do you intend to spend your summer holiday? Primary Times has created a checklist of 10 Things to Do Before Summer’s Up to make sure you don’t miss out on anything!

1. Explore a Country Park

Children really love the freedom that nature brings, so try to schedule some time to visit the countryside or a country park. Make the visit as exciting and interesting as possible by organising a nature treasure hunt where you create a worksheet with pictures of different animals, bugs and plants for the children to discover on their explorations. For more ideas take a look at the Countryside Learning website - www.countrysidelearning.org

Alternatively, take advantage of the free activities that many local authorities host in recreation grounds during the summer months such as family fetes, live music and even big lunches! Notably, Love Parks Week takes place between 27 July and 4 August. To find out more go to www.loveparksweek.org.uk

2. Go out and get active

Many sports clubs and leisure centres offer a huge range of children's activities at affordable prices. Complete training packages can bring youngsters up to speed on their favourite sport such as swimming, tennis, cricket and golf. Why not treat your child to a day at a summer club at the sports centre while you indulge in a much-deserved day to yourself? 
 

3. Pitch Up!
Enjoy an enlightening night lying under the stars and sample the pleasures of living al fresco. Camping out is a fantastic adventure for any child with the added bonus that it doesn’t come with a weighty price tag. Pitch up in the back garden or local campsite, and with your children, master the skills required to put up a tent! And why not live the outdoor experience to the full by firing up the BBQ and tucking into flame grilled chicken or burgers, before an intrepid expedition at dusk by torchlight? On your return you could warm marshmallows by the fire before snuggling in to your sleeping bags under the stars, searching the sky for constellations and listening to all the unfamiliar night time sounds. 
 

4. Blossom in the Garden

Gardens explode with vibrant colours and textures, fragrant smells and buzz with life in the summer months making it a wonderful time for children to acquire basic horticultural skills. Children will love the chance to get muddy, remove worms, inspect tiny bugs and explore this tiny piece of wilderness. You can boost interest by devoting a patch of the garden, back yard or window box just for the children. For ideas and inspiration check out the following websites: www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/gardening_with_children; www.gardeningwithchildren.co.uk and www.rhs.org.uk/children

5. Embark on the Summer Reading Challenge

A spine-tingling adventure awaits children who decide to take part in the 2013 Summer Reading Challenge. This year’s theme is ‘Creepy House’ which ties into the publishing trends for books that thrill without being too scary. Young book-loving adventurers are encouraged to explore the Creepy House, simply by reading six books from the library. To find out more go to www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk

6. Enjoy days out at Local Attractions

Those six weeks can crawl idly by, so a welcome treat to a local attraction, zoo, fun park, planetarium or fairytale castle will inject a spark of excitement for all the family. Meeting other parents will allow you to enjoy some adult conversation and swap holiday stories, content in the knowledge that the children are having a great time close by.

 

7. Wise up on Local History
They’re free, educational and entertaining. Yes, these days local museums offer visitors much more than prehistoric artefacts behind glass cages. Interactive displays captivate children so that they learn without realising it! During the summer holidays, for a nominal fee, many a museum runs workshops especially for children. Local museums are red hot favourite places to visit for culture vultures. Try visiting www.24hourmuseum.org.uk the UK's official guide to over 3000 museums and heritage attractions.
 

8. Make a Splash

Learning to swim is an important part of a child’s development, and most parents will find structured swimming lessons at local swimming pools, private swimming schools and local clubs. Many local pools run intensive summer courses designed to fast track swimming performance. Ask at your local pool or check out the ASA website - www.theasa.org - for details.

Knowing how to swim will suddenly open up a wealth of new possibilities, allowing a child the chance to test out a variety of other water-based activities such as diving, sailing, visiting water parks, surfing, snorkelling, kayaking and canoeing. And the thrill and excitement of a water attraction or activity will always score highly as a fun way to spend time. Alternatively, if your child would prefer to spend time by the water rather than being in it, there are many free fishing courses suitable for the under 12’s.

 
9. Make and Bake at Home: When the sun is not baking outside, let your children bake inside instead! Yes, they’ll relish licking the bowl clean and getting their hands covered in gooey cake mix. If you don't fancy sharing your pristinely clean kitchen for the day, then rummage around for the glue, glitter and gum paper and encourage your children to enjoy a messy day creating some artistic masterpiece instead.
 

10. Sample some Local Culture
Let your child sample some culture at a local art gallery or watch a musical together. In the summer, many theatres run performances outdoors using as a backdrop the natural setting of a park or historic building. Alternatively, you may wish to grab a bag of popcorn, use your children as an excuse and snuggle down into a comfy seat at the cinema. Let’s admit it – we adults love to lose ourselves in the latest blockbuster too! 

Hop on a train with Greater Anglia this summer

Life is made up of special moments – family days out, romantic short breaks and exploring new places. Whether it’s sand between your toes, exploring castle dungeons or enjoying a spot of shopping, Greater Anglia can take you there. Travelling by train adds a sense of special occasion, especially for kids, and means you can truly enjoy time together the moment your journey begins.

Greater Anglia trains can take you to some of the most beautiful and fascinating destinations in the region, from the tips of the north Norfolk coast to the heart of Suffolk, cosmopolitan Cambridge to the adventures of Lee Valley Park in Essex. With advance fares from £6 and GroupSave, where four people can travel for the price of two adults, the cost of travelling is cheaper than you might think.

Travel with Greater Anglia by train this year and enjoy 2 for 1 entry to award-winning museums and zoos to Sea Life Centres and attractions. Plus with 2 for 1 on meals, cycle hire, tours and accommodation, planning a day out or short break suddenly becomes a very affordable prospect. To explore all the offers available and download vouchers visit www.greateranglia.co.uk/pt or pick up a brochure at your nearest Greater Anglia train station. You might find your next special moment is only days away. For more details ring 0333 320 4202

Get ready to go Bats for Books in Suffolk this summer!

Suffolk Libraries are appealing for volunteers to help with the 2013 Summer Reading Challenge which has the exciting theme of Creepy House this year. The Summer Reading Challenge is a successful campaign by the Reading Agency which works with libraries to engage and encourage children to keep reading through the long summer holiday with a series of fun and exciting activities and challenges.

Children earn stickers and other rewards, with a certificate for everyone who completes the challenge of reading six library books.

All children with a library card can take part for free and it is easy to join at any library in Suffolk. There are long lists of spooky books to appeal to older and younger children but you can read any library book as part of the challenge. The Library has books about coins, cars, or cookery; stories about dogs, dinosaurs or disasters; picture books about teddies, trains or trains.

The Reading Challenge always involves a fantastic team of volunteers who support libraries to provide help for children with their reading and in running events in libraries through the summer. If anyone is interested in getting involved this summer, they can contact their local library.

Children will be able to sign up to the Creepy House reading challenge from 21 July and after they have read their first book, will get a poster which divides the Creepy House into three sections which they move through as they read each book. The Reading Challenge runs until 8 September.

Last year nearly 3,800 children in Suffolk completed the challenge and nearly 2,300 joined the library to take part, so it’s also a great way of introducing children to what their local library has to offer. The Summer Reading Challenge now accounts for 20% of all books issued annually by UK libraries. There is more information at from www.suffolklibraries.co.uk

Hemsby MegaMaze reveals crazy farm inventions

Farmer Hirst is causing a fluster on the farm this summer. His crazy farm inventions have been revealed … but which ones are real and which are just plain bonkers?

Choose the best inventions to create your very own farm and lead the way to the future...

This year’s Hemsby MegaMaze and Fun Park in Great Yarmouth has a farming theme. Go and get lost in the maze and then find your way to all the clues to solve the puzzle about what a Future Farm may look like. As well as the maze there are many other fun packed activities such as a Hay Bale Mountain, Crazy Croquet, trampolines, go-carts, a zip wire, swings and slides - to entertain young and old alike. Hemsby Megamaze and Fun Park is also offering Tractor and Trailer Rides around the farm so visitors can see the crops and animals that Farmer Hirst looks after. After all the excitement, families can chill out by tucking in to some tasty, freshly cooked food from Maizeys Snack Shack to end an enjoyable day getting lost in the countryside. For more details go to www.hemsbymegamaze.co.uk

Have a great day out at Easton Farm Park this summer!

Easton Farm Park really is sizzling this summer as there’s so much going on!  A plumped out daily activity programme for the children includes pony rides, train and barrel bug rides, pony and cart rides, a chance to meet a Suffolk Punch Horse, hug a bunny and egg collecting. There is also an indoor play barn and outdoor adventure play area plus plenty of walks and quizzes around the Green Trail and new for this year, the splendid tractor and trailer ride will operate every day throughout the summer.

Thrilling events have been lined up and include a Car and Motor Show on 28 July, a Family Fun and Teddy Bear’s Picnic on 21 August, a Donkey Show on 25 August, a Magic Monday on 26 August and a Make a Wish Horse and Pony Show on 7 September.

Also, new for this year, the Suffolk Fun Festival will take place over the weekend of 10 and 11 August that promises to be a really exciting with the Nutmeg Puppet Company, Wonderful Beast Theatre Company, magic, clowns, juggling, canoe tours, kids yoga and model boats and planes, as well as all of the usual daily activities and plenty of other activities for the children.  Special prices apply during this weekend and there are several entry options available including overnight camping on Saturday 10 August.  Further details and bookings can be made by visiting www.ticketweb.co.uk or by telephoning Easton Farm Park on 01728 746475.

Easton Farm Park is open every day throughout the summer from 10.30 am until 5.30pm (last opening day is Sunday 8 September).  It is also open for half term from 26 October to 3 November from 10.30am to 5.30pm when plenty of Halloween fun will await visitors. For further information contact the farm on 01728 746475 or by e-mail to info@eastonfarmpark.co.uk.

It’s all fun and games at Premier Sport

If your little treasure is a keen follower of fun, then Premier Sport’s camps are the place for them to thrive this holiday. Chewits Sports Courses are designed to give children of all abilities aged five to twelve years the opportunity to enjoy being active and have fun.

All Premier Sport activities are packed with fun - fun sport, fun break-times, fun games - all delivered by inspiring coaching staff that have undergone rigorous training to ensure every child is safe, happy and well looked after.

There are plenty of courses involving a wide range of sports including multi-sport, football, dance and many more that will take place throughout the school summer holiday. Become a member at www.premiersport.org and receive 20% off your booking.

Full steam ahead this summer at The Mid-Suffolk Light Railway

The Mid-Suffolk Light Railway is running more steam days than ever over the summer. Light Railway Days will operate every Wednesday in August revealing the MSLR at its simplest with steam train rides all day and the chance to explore the site.

Themed days will take place on Sundays throughout the month and will include displays from model railway clubs and will finish with a two-day Rail 'n' Ale Bank Holiday weekend. In September, see the railway 'behind the scenes' and learn what makes it work.  Later in the month the Platelayer's Gala will demonstrate the tools, vehicles and equipment used by the men who kept the railways in working order. As usual, a season ticket purchased on the first visit will give access to these events and more for 12 months. For more details go to www.mslr.org.uk or call 01449 766899

Dinosaur Adventure offers a unique day out for everyone

The closest you'll get to experiencing Jurassic Park is tracking through the woods at Dinosaur Adventure! Children will gasp in amazement as they come face to face with the 8 meter Spinosaurus and the mighty T-Rex, Brachiosaurus, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, and more, along the woodland dinosaur trail.

Let the children tackle Dinomite the new indoor adventure play area, Arachnophobia, the giant prehistoric spider’s web, 'Climb-a-Saurus' the 75ft dinosaur activity, Xtinction, Jurassic Putt, Raptors Racers and much more. Children will be able to get up close and personal with some present day dinosaur relations at Reptiles Encounters in the Secret Animal Garden and climb aboard the Deer Safari to see the magnificent deer (please note these are subject to seasonal fluctuations). Dinosaur Adventure is open daily from 9.30am. For more information call 01603 876310 or visit www.dinosauradventure.co.uk for admission prices

Test your powers of deduction in the Southwold Maize Maze

Southwold Maize Maze, on the outskirts of Southwold, is a giant puzzle of pathways within 8 acres of maize and is a great outdoor adventure for all the family. A real brain-teaser, the maze will test your powers of deduction and navigation to the limit; will you be able to find the 8 hidden stamp points and solve the 'Mystery of the Maze? This year’s theme is local coastal landmarks - what will be your favourite stamp to find? Southwold Lighthouse, Orford Castle, the House in the Clouds or Sizewell Powerstation? There is also a lovely, enclosed picnic and play area with bouncing fun on the 'jumping pillow' and large pedal go-karts to keep everyone entertained for hours, whilst others might relax with a coffee or cake from the new cafe. Southwold Maize Maze is open 7 days a week from Saturday 20 July from 10am-6pm. Last entries to the maze are at 4.30pm. Ticket prices are £4.50 per adult, £4 per child and family tickets are £15.50 (2 adults + 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children). For more details go to www.southwoldmaizemaze.co.uk or call 07801 065845

Free Swimming for the under 8’s

The under 8’s can enjoy free swimming at the Suffolk Coastal District Leisure Centres this summer, enabling them to get fit and keep active throughout the school holiday. To register or find out more visit or contact Felixstowe Leisure Centre, Deben Pool or Leiston Leisure Centre where the reception teams will be happy to help. Visit the website at www.dcleisure.co.uk and mums and dads can follow DC Leisure’s pages on Facebook and Twitter for future events and offers. For more details call Felixstowe Leisure Centre on 01394 694600, or Leiston Leisure Centre on 01728 830364 or Deben Pool on 01394 384763.

Younger Generation of Cooks inspired by the Kids Cooking Experience

The Cooking Experience Ltd, established in 1995, was designed to ignite people’s passion for good, honest home cooking. Through their training kitchen in Hadleigh, Suffolk, owners Mark and Annie wanted to teach people to cook in a fun, relaxed environment. The success of these adult cooking classes enabled them to branch out and bring that same inspiration and confidence to a younger generation of cooks. The Kids Cooking Experience Ltd was thus established and held its first class in February 2013.

The Kids Cooking Experience runs classes for 8-19 year olds at its Hadleigh training kitchen as well as at Jimmy’s Farm near Ipswich. These fun, hands-on and inspiring educational sessions teach the children how to cook great tasting meals that are healthy and nutritionally balanced. The meals the children are taught to cook include food from all over the world but, importantly, they are meals the children can easily cook at home so they can continue to learn and develop their knowledge and skills away from the teaching kitchen.

The sessions at Jimmy’s Farm give the children an extra dimension to the class. Here they have the chance to explore the farm and the animals and to make use of the herb garden; providing them with an insight into the production of the food and ingredients they use in their cooking.

Alongside the classes, there are also Parent and Toddler sessions, birthday parties and sessions for children with learning disabilities or special needs. All food and drink is provided for the duration of the classes along with the necessary aprons and hats - all the parent needs to bring is the child! For more information click on the following link www.cookingexperience.co.uk/kids.php

Footy boosting courses at JR Soccer Stars

JR Soccer Stars is a part-time football coaching company that runs football courses and clubs throughout Suffolk for children of all abilities, aged from 5 to 12 years. Through the use of fun and technical football coaching, JR Soccer Stars aim to improve the footballing ability of all children that attend their courses. They also aim to develop a child’s confidence, enhance thinking skills, highlight the importance of team work and show children the value of showing respect to others. JR Soccer Stars prides itself on the standard of coaching it provides - all sessions are delivered by fully qualified, CRB checked, FA coaches. For more details go to www.jrsoccerstars.com

Celebrate Ipswich and Maritime Festival 2013

This year, ‘Celebrate Ipswich’ which incorporates the fabulous Maritime Festival is set to be better than ever. Running from 19 to 26 August it will include a range of exciting town centre activities and culminates in the annual Maritime Festival.

The weeklong celebration will be ‘All About Ipswich’ and the best it has to offer with a series of events in the town centre. The full line up of these events and special offers will be revealed soon. Over the August bank holiday weekend, 23 - 26 August, the Ipswich waterfront will be a hive of activity as Ipswich celebrates its rich and colourful maritime history. There will be live music, food stalls, a craft market and much more, all adding to the sense of occasion. There will also be a chance for visitors to learn more about Ipswich’s maritime history with historical re-enactments happening across the weekend. Celebrate Ipswich is a completely free festival, celebrating all that the county town has to offer. For more information visit www.allaboutipswich.com

The new season sees four new rides at Pleasurewood Hills

As part of a £3.5 million investment pledge, Pleasurewood Hills has four new rides for 2013. Significant resource has also been spent refurbishing the Theme Park making it an even more vibrant place for a day out for all the family. New rides for the 2013 season will include Hobs Pit, one of the most scary rides in the UK – not for the faint hearted - coming soon; Pleasurewood Paddlers - the return of the pedalos to Pleasurewood Lake; Woody’s Tea Party - a traditional family tea cup ride and ‘Moby Dick’ mariners fun for the youngsters.

Since 2011 when the Looping Holding Group, who own seven attractions across Europe, took over the park, a total of nine new rides and attractions have been added to Pleasurewood Hills. Last year new rides and attractions included The Jolly Roger, a 40 metre drop tower; The Lighthouse, a thrilling kid’s shoot-up-tower; the Pleasurewood Pony Rail, a gentle family fun ride; Laser Labyrinth, an adrenaline fuelled indoor laser game and the Illusionist Magic Show performed by Britain’s Got Talent star, Sean Alexander in the Castle Theatre.

Day visitors will also have the opportunity to ride ‘Wipeout’, the tallest, fastest and most extreme rollercoaster in the East of England, get soaked on the ‘Timber Falls’ log flume and watch the Sea Lion and Parrot shows. Plus, there’s loads more rides and attractions to explore in the 50 acres of enclosed coastal parkland. For full details go to www.pleasurewoodhills.com or call 01502 586000.

Live life adventurously at High Lodge Forest Centre

High Lodge Forest Centre is the Forestry Commission’s premier recreation destination in East Anglia and is right at the heart of Thetford Forest, Europe’s largest man-made lowland forest! With over 70kms of cycle trail, 20kms of walks and 50 pieces of equipment in the children’s Play Arena, it’s perfect for every member of the family. This August there’ll be even more on offer as summer holiday craft sessions will run on Tuesdays and Fridays. Children can learn to finger knit, make friendship bracelets, and create cards and masks – and much more! Also, for the more daring youngster who wants to live life adventurously, there is ‘Go Ape’; the award winning high wire adventure in the trees. High Lodge has all the facilities you need including a gift shop and café that serves tasty food and drink from local suppliers. Open all year, a site entry charge applies; see the website www.forestry.gov.uk/highlodge or call 01842 815434

Meet and cuddle four legged friends at Redwings

Redwings Caldecott Visitor Centre, near Great Yarmouth, is spread over 70 acres of beautiful paddocks and pasture and is home to many horses and ponies. Redwings is the UK’s largest horse sanctuary caring for over 1,200 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules. Ready and waiting to meet their fans are some of the adoption favourites; the 18hh gentle giant Prince, notoriously naughty donkey Denise and the scrumptious Shetland Sampson who proves that great things do come in small packages! As well as the chance to meet and cuddle the four legged friends, there are tractor rides (weather permitting), walking tours, horse care demonstrations, a children’s play area, café, gift shop, picnic area and an education centre.

Redwings has also now opened a brand new visitor centre in Aylsham. Redwings Aylsham is home to over 33 rescued horses and ponies, including adoption star Gulliver. Both of these visitor centres are free to enter. To find out more visit www.redwings.co.uk or call 01508 481032

Pettitts Animal Adventure Park - Three parks in one location

Pettitts Animal Adventure Park is a wonderful attraction for children to visit as it has three parks in one location! Most notably, fun attractions include superb fun rides such as flying elephants, teacups, a runaway train roller coaster, a ½ mile miniature train, Alice in Wonderland, Toad of Toad Hall, a Robin Hood Adventure play area plus lots more. New for 2013, families will be able to meet the meerkats, see a chicken puppet show, enjoy the construction playground and bounce on the giant bouncy castle. There are animals galore with lemurs, alpaca’s, racoons, a reptile house and a petting area where children can feed the goats and chickens. Entertaining live shows feature bubbly Bingo the Clown’s 3 shows a day, plus the park mascot Maxi Mouse will be pleasing crowds during the school holidays. For more details call 01493 700094 or go to www.pettittsadventurepark.co.uk

Intriguing play at Little Kingfishers Play Centre

Little Kingfishers Play Centre is a wonderful venue for children aged up to 10 years. Youngsters are simply thrilled when they explore the intriguing play frame, enjoying the spiral, wavy and race slides into a canyon filled with a colourful mixture of balls. There’s a ball swing to play with and V-net bridges to scramble across too. This wonderful attraction is also an ideal venue for children’s birthday parties. Party packages start from just £8.95 per person/£165 for 2 hours private hire. To make a booking or for more information go to www.littlekingfishers.co.uk or call 01787 375656.

Make a Splash at Kingfisher Leisure Centre and Hadleigh Pool and Leisure

This summer children will have tremendous fun riding the flumes, jumping the waves and running across the new octopus inflatable during the Wet ‘N Wild sessions at Kingfisher Leisure Pool. Many of these sessions are also available at Hadleigh Pool and Leisure. In addition to the fun sessions there are holiday swimming courses at Hadleigh Pool and Leisure for non-swimmers/beginners, Stage 4+ Improvers, plus there’s a Flip ‘n’ Fun Diving Course (min Stage 5+), Breaststroke/Butterfly and Aquatic Skills and a Rookie Lifesaving Course. For session times visit www.ssleisure.co.uk