Hundreds of children and young people will have the chance to get fit and active over the Christmas holidays with a special sports day at the new Harvey Hadden stadium.

The ‘Being healthy’ event on Wednesday 30 December will give kids the chance to try out the new state-of-the-art facilities at the sports complex – including swimming, basketball, football, dance, athletics and skatebase roller skating.

Organised by the City Council’s Play and Youth Team, the event will be for young people aged eight to 18. It costs £2 for children, but is only open to registered members of the Play and Youth service through Children’s Centres.

‘Being Healthy’ is just one of many ways Nottingham City Council is planning to keep young people active and entertained over the Christmas break. Other activities include:

  • Nottingham Winter Wonderland – runs until Sunday 3 January, Visit the ice rink, see the Christmas lights and visit the festive stalls in Nottingham’s Old Market Square.
  • What’s On at Heritage Sites this Christmas – Festive events at Nottingham Castle, Wollaton Hall, Newstead Abbey and Green’s Windmill, include Meet Santa, Reindeer Trails, and Christmas crafts – www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/heritagechristmas
  • New Year’s Eve Fireworks – 31 December Don’t miss the traditional fireworks display at Nottingham Castle. Live music and entertainment, food stalls and a spectacular fireworks display. Entry to the event is FREE from 8pm – first come first served. The Children’s Disney themed Fireworks display starts at 9:15pm.

Councillor David Mellen, Portfolio Holder for Early Intervention and Early Years, said: “Giving children in Nottingham positive and interesting things to do during school holidays, even over Christmas is important to Nottingham City Council.

“We are committed to running play, youth and children’s centre programmes across the city, despite significant government cuts to council budgets. We also have a great relationship with the voluntary sector, which also provide a rich variety of activities for young people.

“There is so much happening in the city and it’s all about getting families involved so many of these events are free and easy to get to by bus or tram. I would encourage people to head to their local Children’s Centre, Library or Leisure Centre.”

With 8 Adventure and Play Centres and 18 Children’s Centres across the city offering a range of free and low-cost services and activities for families and their children, there should be something for everyone.

Services at Children’s Centres can vary according to the needs of the local community, but all centres provide links to childcare, family support and a range of parent and toddler activities. All of the centres have family support teams who work with children and young people from birth to 19 and their families, offer play and youth activities, and support in areas including disability, mental health, emotional wellbeing and school attendance.

Full details about the whole range of Christmas activities on offer can be found at https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/christmas

Check out some of the event run by the council’s children’s centre, youth and play staff

Aspley, Broxtowe and Bilborough

  • Stay Play & Learn Christmas Crafts –  Monday 21 December at 11am – 1pm at Bilborough Community Centre
  • Stay Play & Learn Winter Wonderland – Tuesday 22 December at 10.30am – 1.30pm at Broxtowe Children Centre
  • Stay Play & Learn New Year Celebrations Around The World – Wednesday 30 December from 11am – 1pm at Aspley Children Centre.

Sherwood and Edwards Lane

  • Stay & Play – Wednesday 23 December from 1pm-2.30pm at Sherwood & Edwards Lane Children’s Centre. Drop in & play for festive fun.
  • Christmas Eve party – Thursday 24 December from 1pm-3pm at Forest Fields Play. Lots of festive fun for 5 – 13 Yrs.

Clifton

  • Play Session Mini Christmas Party – Tuesday 22 December from 2-4 pm at Park Gate Community Centre Dancing and party food Team Games for 5-13yrs, 30p admission fee.
  • Junior Youth Mini Christmas Party – Thursday 24 December from 2-4pm at Clifton Young People’s Centre.  Free session, dancing, party food and team games.

Bestwood, Basford, Top Valley and Bestwood Park

  • Family Stay and Play, Christmas is coming activities – Monday 21 December from 11am-1pm at Southglade Access Centre.
  • Arts and crafts Sports and active play – Thursday 24 December from 2.30pm – 4.30pm. Aged 5 to 13 at The Ridge Adventure Playground.

The Meadows

  • Festive Crafts – Monday 21 December from 1pm – 2.30pm at Meadows Children Centre.
  • Play Session Mini Christmas Party – Tuesday 22 December from 2-4 pm at Park Gate Community Centre. Dancing, party food and team games for 5-13yrs, 30p admission fee.
  • Junior Youth Session Mini Christmas Party – Thursday 24 December from 2-4pm at Clifton Young People’s Centre. Free session, dancing, party food and team games for 10-13yrs.

Bulwell and Bulwell Forest

  • Family Fun Session – Thursday 24 December from 1pm – 2.30pm at Bulwell Children’s Centre. Coffee, chat with mince pies and crafts.
  • Youth Christmas Session – Wednesday 23 December from 6pm – 9pm at Bulwell Riverside. (£1) Ticket Only Event for 11-19years.

Radford, Dunkirk, Wollaton ,Lenton and Lenton Abbey

  • Christmas Celebration – Wednesday 23 December from 10am – 11.30am at Radford Children’s Centre. Christmas crafts and activities.
  • New Year, New You Party – Wednesday 30 December from 1.30pm – 3pm at Balloon Woods Adventure Playground. Make a wish and pledge tree, plus winter wonderland and craft activities

Sneinton

  • Christmas Craft’s – Monday 21 December from 10am-11.30am at Sneinton Children’s Centre
  • Junior Youth Session – Wednesday 23 December from 6.30pm-8.30pm at Oliver Hind Club. For 10 – 13 years, 30p per session.

Hyson Green

  • Stay & Play Session – Wednesday 23 December from 9:30am -11am at Hyson Green Children’s Centre. Drop-in & Play For Festive Fun.
  • Christmas Eve party – Wednesday 24 December from 1pm – 5pm at Forest Fields Play. Lots of Festive Fun for  5-13 Year olds.

St Ann’s South

  • Christmas Creations – Wednesday 23 December from 10am – 11.30am at St. Ann’s Valley Centre
  • Make a new year’s Calendar – Thursday 24 December from 10am-12pm at St Ann’s Valley centre

Anyone who cares for or is expecting a child can register to use the centres. For more information head to www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/childrenscentres

* Harvey Hadden Event Citywide Play and youth Event ‘Being healthy’

Registration and consent required, no admittance on the door. Limited space only, please contact your local play and youth team for further information and bookings Tel 0115 8761890

Registered Play & Youth members only, cost £2.00 (non-refundable cost)