Free Arts & Crafts Family workshops with Skills and Learning
Creative art workshops for the whole family which are based around recycling, sustainability and having fun together.
You can choose from two exciting workshops:
Family Learning: Arts & Crafts – Create beautiful artwork while exploring recycling and sustainability.
Family Learning: Summer Junk to Funk – Transform everyday objects into funky masterpieces!
Workshops in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Blandford and Dorchester.
Book your space via Skills & Learning Adult Community Education here.
Family Hub Summer Activities
Turlin Moor Family Hub:
8th, 15th, 29th August 1.00pm – 2:30pm – Stay and Play (0-8yrs)
9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th August 1.00pm – 2:30pm – Babies 2gether (0-18 months)
Events:
Fun at the beach at Hamworthy Park on 25th July 2024
1.00 – 2.30pm (Lulworth Ave, Hamworthy, Poole BH15 4DH)
Teddy Bears Picnic at Poole Park on 6th August 2024
10.00am – 12pm (Near the Pavilion, Sandbanks Road, BH15 2SF)
Family Fun Day on 22nd August
10.00 – 4.00pm (Turlin Moor Family Hub)
Tesco Summer Road Show
Free outdoor summer food roadshow coming to a Tesco near you. Be inspired by a delicious range of food and drink to try and discover fun ways to celebrate fun & flavour this summer from 12 – 6.30pm.
Tesco, Tower Park 22nd July
Tesco Extra, Bournemouth 23rd July
Tesco, Kinson 8th August
Tesco, Branksome 10th August
Tesco, Fleets Corner 11th August
Tesco Blandford 12th August
Summer of Sport & Music at Castlepoint
Date: 26th June – 15th September 2024
Big LED Screen in the Summer Garden, downstairs in front of M&S.
Event screenings include:
Glastonbury Festival
Wimbledon Tennis Championships
Reading Festival
Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Tour de France 2024
Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
CBeebies mornings
And much more!
Date: 28 July 2024 Time: 11am-4pm
Littledown Family Fun Day – More info here.
Wimborne Minster FREE Summer Events
29th July onwards
Join us for our Festivals themed trail in the Minster.
30th July onwards on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings between 10.30am-1pm
Fun in the Forest Garden
30th July – 21st August every Wednesday 1-3pm
Cream Teas, Games and Crafts in the Minster
10th August 1-am-12pm
Garden Games, Crafts and Ice cream on the Green outside the Minster.
More events to follow.
Date: 31 July 2024 Time: 11am-1pm
Free Event with Soft Play, Free Parking, Free Ice Lolly per child & Free hot drink for the grandparents run by Little Gizmo Entertainment with Super Si.
Summer of Fun at John Lewis Poole
20 July – 1 September 2024
Squishmallows spot the difference – find all 7 differences and enter to win.
1 August – 1 September 2024
Squishmallows Treasure Hunt – find the 6 letters and win a price.
3 August 2024 11am-3pm
Summer Saturday – Join us for Face Painting, Balloon Modelling & Crafts.
5 August 10am-12pm
Kids Crafting Session – Come and make a friendship bracelet in the cafe for free – No booking needed.
Free Summer Stay-and-Play Sessions at Hamworthy Park
1 August – 10am at Bluebell Community Woodland and Hamworthy Park
Join us for fun, free stay-and-play sessions in Hamworthy for 5-11-year-olds!
Beach School: August 1 & 8 at Hamworthy Park (in front of Harbour Reach footbridge)
Forest School: August 15, 22 & 29 at Bluebell Woods (behind St Michaels Church)
Time: 10am to 12pm
Bring sun tan lotion, a water bottle, sun hat, or a raincoat.
No need to register – Parents or guardian must stay on site at all times.
Ringwood Skate Jam
Date: 8 August 2024 Time: 11am-3pm
Cavers REC, Ringwood.
Get ready for an epic day of fun and excitement at our Skate Jam! Here’s what we’ve got lined up:
11 AM: Kick off with an hour of informal coaching from Team Rubicon plus spectacular demonstrations and thrilling competitions for skateboarding, scooters, and BMX!
NEW THIS YEAR: Graffiti Art Taster Sessions. No need to book, just turn up. Free Entry!
Free Summer Holiday Entertainment with Jamie Jigsaw at Woodhouse Gardens Blandford
Date: 2 August 2024 Time: 10am-1pm
10-11am – A circus workshop starts the entertainment where both children and adults can have ago at juggling, plate spinning, diabolo, ribbon twirling and more.
11.30am – 12pm – It’s time for the 30minute Jamie Jigsaw magic and juggling show. packed with funny magic, hilarious juggling, lots of silliness and audience participation.
12.15pm -1pm – Balloon modelling. The children can each take home a balloon including balloon dogs, swords, laser guns, ladybirds, flowers and teddy bears, almost anything they can imagine.
Refreshments will be available in the pavilion.
Up 4 Summer
This summer UP 4 Summer in BCP is putting on an exciting host of summer activities for all Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole residents aged 10-16yrs in July & August.
Cost – FREE to £10 depending on activity.
Don’t miss out, limited places available, first come first served click here for the 2024 program.
Book via 01202 885511.
Date: 20 July – 30 August Time: Daily Mo – Fr 12-2.30pm
This summer, we’ll be running a wide range of FREE activities for under 18 year olds. There will be football, arts & crafts, jenga, rounders, swingball and much more. Free snacks and drinks will be provided.
You can download our timetable here.
Week one
Monday 29 July, Kings Park
Tuesday 30 July, Two Riversmeet Skate Park
Wednesday 31 July, Poole Park (next to the ARK)
Thursday 1 August, Redhill Park
Friday 2 August, Christchurch quay
Week two
Monday 5 August, Baiter Skate Park
Tuesday 6 August, Slades Farm
Wednesday 7 August, Summerford Skate park
Thursday 8 August, Whitecliffe (field next to the play area
Friday 9 August, Moordown Reck
Week three
Monday 12 August, Stanpit Recreation Ground
Tuesday 13 August, Branksome Rec
Wednesday 14 August, Queens Park
Thursday 15 August , Two Riversmeet Skate Park
Friday 16 August, Hamworthy Park (near zipwire)
Week four
Monday 19 August, Winton Rec
Tuesday 20 August , Christchurch Quay
Wednesday 21 August, Upton house
Thursday 22 August, Duck lane Skate Park
Friday 23 August, Summerford Skate park
Week five
Tuesday 27 August, Verity Park Canford Heath
Wednesday 28 August, Lower gardens near badminton court
Thursday 29 August, Stanpit Recreation Ground
A summer filled with entertainment, arts, crafts, dancing and much more.
Cool off this summer and take a trip to our beautiful sandy beach – check out our list of Beaches around Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to find some hidden gems!
If you don’t fancy the beach why not head to a Splash Park nearby here are The Best Splash Parks in BCP.
Why not pack a picnic and enjoy a walk in the New Forest with a nice cooling paddle in one of the many streams there and say hello to the Ponies from a distance.
Or for those rather enjoy watching the water head on over to Muddeford Quay for a spot of crabbing which is a fun activity for the whole family and its always a great little competition to see who can catch the biggest crab!
We have written a post Crabbing in Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole: How does it work!? where you can find out the best crabbing spots and what equipment you need.
Every Thursday 25 July 1,8, 15, 22 & 29 August 2024 starting at 1pm
FREE Family Film Club – A free film suitable for all the family. No ticket required, just turn up and enjoy! More info here.
Complete a Treasure Hunt or Trail! 🗺 If you are visiting Moors Valley Country Park and Forest this summer check out all the fantastic free trails there are on offer from the popular Play Trail to the Music Trail or the high up Tree Top Trail or how about the brand new Zog – A Forest Adventure Trail there is something for everyone.
You can also see if you can spot the life-size sculptures of Gruffalo and all his friends. More info here.
Our area has plenty of festivals on offer here are some FREE and low cost ones you could visit with the family.
Mudeford Arts Festival – more info here.
3 August – Stompin’ on the Quomps – more info here.
10 -11 August Christchurch Carnival – more info here.
29 – 31 August Bournemouth Air Festival 2024 – more info here.
If you want to save some money this summer, but still want to enjoy eating out, we’ve listed all the places kids can eat for free or £1 (or with special discounted meals) this summer (and beyond) locally in BCP & Nationwide just click here.
Bikeability is a national cycle training scheme. Cycle training for children aged 7 and over to help build the skills and confidence to ride a bike safely on the road.
Bikeability Courses 1, 2 & 3 plus Learn to ride Cycle Training!
Click here to find all the available Bikeability Courses available this Summer 2024.
July 7th & 21st & 31st
August 4th,7th,14th,18th, 21st, 28th
September 1st & 15th
Running Days are Sundays 11am – 4pm. BH21 3DA.
All train rides are free of charge, donations are gratefully received.
Running days may be cancelled due to poor weather conditions, however we always try and keep the railway open keep updated on their FB Page here.
Poole Quay Summer Fireworks are on Thursday 25th July & Thursday 1. August (more TBC) starting at 7pm with FREE live music, entertainment and fireworks at 10pm.
Bournemouth Friday Fireworks are on every Friday from 26th July until 23rd August starting at 7pm with fireworks just after 10pm.
PLUS part of the Bournemouth Art Festival there will be on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st August at 10pm.
Christchurch Carnival Weekend Fireworks Saturday 10th August at 9.30pm.
You can explore the Bournemouth Natural Science Society & Museum which is a natural history museum with fossils, minerals and an Egyptology collection and a large garden. Entry donations are welcome.
Or why not take a stroll through Bournemouth Gardens with the family.
Did you know that there are over 450 parks and open spaces in BCP? Start planning a Summer packed with fun and FREE nature activities in a park near you!
Check out the Summer Program and book your place today – more info here.
BCP has plenty of Skate Parks where the youngsters could throw some shapes on their boards with their mates here are just a few of our favourite ones: Duck Lane, Slades Farm, Baiter Park, Friers Field in West Moors, Pottern Park in Verwood, Riverside, Corfe Mullen REC, Bourne Valley, Kings Park, St George’s Field in Ferndown, Cavers REC in Ringwood plus Fordingbridge.
Some are a bit more hidden
There is a great skate park at the back of the car park (infront of the allotments) at Wimborne football club.
Near Tesco Blandford – past Homebase on the left Tesco on the right then follow the road past the Brewery Storage Gate thats where you find the skate park.
drive over the roundabout as you drive past homebase on your left.. and the Tesco on your right.
Up in BCP are running their very popular Up 4 Summer program again with some FREE fun activities for everyone aged 12-19yrs like Zorb & Football Sessions, Escape Room Visits and Water Battles! Booking is required under 07880 480 602 (limited places available). Check out the Up in BCP website for the activities here.
Did you know Poole has its very own Watersports Library where you can borrow watersports equipment for little money? You all could have a go at paddle boarding or kayaking for the day on our beautiful seafront! You can read up on it on our Watersports Library Guest Blog.
The Summer Reading Challenge is back for 2024 in your local library!
This year’s Summer Reading Challenge will be about getting CREATIVE. Music, junk-modelling, photography, dancing, story-writing… the possibilities are endlesss.
You’ll discover fantastic new books, unlock rewards along the way, and achieve something amazing this summer. Join the Marvellous Makers from 22 June onwards.
📚Find out more about the Summer Reading Challenge here and check out the full summer programme of events in our local BCP library here.
There are so many great events happening over the 6 weeks summer break you can keep track of it in our Events Calendar to see whats happening day by day in BCP.
Here are some of the free & low cost events happening this Summer:
Every Tuesday Night 5.30pm (May till September) Poole Quay Dream Machines more info here.
Don’t forget to download your free Summer Holiday Activity Checklists HERE so you can plan what you want to do and tick off all the activities you’ve completed and make your very own list to tick off too!
