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.
3. 10. 17. 24. & 31. August 2023 starting at 12pm
FREE Family Film Club – A free film suitable for all the family. No ticket required, just turn up and enjoy! More info here.
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.
Summer Live 2023 is back at Bournemouth Square from 14. July until 28. August.
Each day enjoy…
the outdoor themed Garden Bar
watch the live art demonstrations
dance or sit back and relax in the deckchairs and watch the live music (over 100 music performances).
SALSA PARTY every Tuesday 7pm til 10pm.
Live Music
Cabaret party nights
FREE kid’s holiday entertainment
…and so much more.
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 is on from 29. until 30. July 2023 more info here.
Stompin’ On the Quomps is happening on the 5. August 2023 more info here.
Christchurch Carnival is on from 12. until 13. August 2023 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.
Low Cost Summer Workshops with Artsreach at The Allendale Center in Wimborne
Monday 7th August, 10.30am-3pm – Marine Monster with Darrell Wakelam – Age 6+ Tickets: £10
Tuesday 22nd August , 1.30pm-3.30pm – Circus Skills with Kevin Burke – Age 5+ Tickets: £8
Tuesday 29th August, 2pm-4pm – Writing Out Loud with Rohan Gotobed – Age 7+ Tickets: £6
Book via the The Allendale Center website.
Poole Quay Summer Fireworks are on every Thursday from 27th July until 31. August starting at 7pm with FREE live music, entertainment and fireworks at 10pm.
Bournemouth Friday Fireworks are on every Friday from 4. until 25. August tarting at 7pm with fireworks just after 10pm.
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.
Hamworthy Park in collaboration with Friends of Hamworthy Park, Dorset Community Foundation and Hamworthy Church are bringing you FREE stay and play sessions at Hamworthy Park and Bluebell Woods this Summer Holiday, Wednesdays from 10am until 12noon.
26. July – Forest School Stay and Play at Bluebell Woods
2. August – Beach School Stay and Play at Hamworthy Park CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
9. August – Forest School Stay and Play at Bluebell Woods
16. August – Beach School Stay and Play at Hamworthy Park
23. August – Forest School Stay and Play at Bluebell Woods
30. August – Hamworthy Paddling Pool Superheros and Princesses Party
Sessions are free, suitable for ages 5-11, just turn up. Bluebell Woods is behind St Michaels Church.
FREE Summer Skate Lessons at Bourne Valley Skate Park 24. 25. 31. July & 1. August 2023 more info here.
The Streelight Center in Wimborne has a FREE soft play area but booking is required under 01202 848355. If you have older children they also run some (not free but some very low cost) 1 hour Skateboard Sessions for only £1 this Summer (Info for 2023 coming soon).
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, West Moors, Verwood, Riverside, Corfe Mullen and many more.
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. (Coming soon)
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 2023 in your local library!
Get ready for a whole load of team spirit, your fave sporty (or not!) heroes, and plenty of fun with our latest collection for the 2023 sports and games themed Summer Reading Challenge: Ready, Set, Read!
📚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.
22. July 2023 11am – 3pm – FREE family fun at the Castlepoint Summer Carnival more info here.
29. July 2023 10.30am-2.30pm – FREE Family Fun Day by Wimborne Food Bank at Wimborne Rugby Club more info here.
30. July 2023 11am-4pm – FREE Littledown Family Fun Day more info here.
9. August 2023 2.30pm – Jiant Jigsaw Jamboree at The Allendale Center in Wimborne – For Puzzlers of all ages more info here.
18. July 2023 – Tesco invites you to a “Summer full of flavour”, the free food tasting and fun family event at Poole & Bournemouth Extra more info here.
20. July 2023 11am-4pm – Littledown Family Fun Day 2023 more info here.
30. August – 3. September 2023 – Bournemouth Air Show 2023 more info here.
2. August – 1. September 2023 – The Beacon Church in Poole has a variety of FREE events running from family film night to games night and a picnic for the whole family 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!
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