The long summer break is here and Nottingham City Council has lots of exciting events planned to keep children and teenagers active and give families good value and rewarding activities every week of the school holidays. Some are part of an extra programme put on especially for the summer period but many of the activities are actually run all year round by Nottingham City Council’s Play and Youth teams.

There’ll be something for all the family including mini Olympics, circus games and opportunities to visit the city’s parks, many of which have been awarded Green Flags for their facilities. There are also lots of family fun days and for those eager to learn new skills, there are educational activities at Children’s Centres.

Here are just a few of the activities that all age groups can get involved in:

  • Travelling Ted – Every Wednesday from 11am to 2pm there will be trips to various parks, including Wollaton Park and Highfields Park. Kids will get to explore park life, street play and circus games. Parents are advised to bring a picnic lunch and Kangaroo tickets can be collected from local Children’s Centres. Follow the link to see if your area is involved – nottinghamcity.gov.uk/children-and-families/childrens-centres/
  • Forest Fields Play Centre – There will be several play events including a children’s community open day, a mini Olympics with medal and trophy designing, plus a Super Hero Parade at Russell Road, Forest Fields. The dates are 28 and 29 July and the 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26, 27 August. There will be two sessions 3.30pm to 5.30pm and 11am to 2pm. Follow the link to see if your area is involved – nottinghamcity.gov.uk/children-and-families/childrens-centres/
  • Stonebridge Farm Trip Celebration Week –Kids can dress up as their favourite cartoon character and join in with themed activities, crafts, competitions and trails on a trip to the farm on Friday 5 August from 11am to 2pm. Collect Kangaroo tickets from local Children’s Centre Follow the link to see if your area is involved –  nottinghamcity.gov.uk/children-and-families/childrens-centres/
  • Youth Sessions – There will be various youth sessions for 11-19 year olds across the city, including Edwards Lane Community Centre, New Basford Community Centre and Hyson Green Youth Club on Monday’s, Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s from 7pm to 9pm. Follow the link to finmd your nearest youth group –  nottinghamcity.gov.uk/children-and-families/childrens-centres/

Cllr David Mellen, Portfolio Holder for Early Help and Early Intervention, said: “Nottingham City Council is committed to making sure that children and young people in Nottingham have lots to do in the school holidays and I’m really pleased to see so many fun, positive, educational and good value activities available to local families.

“Despite significant government cuts to council budgets, many play, youth and children’s centre programmes continue to run across the city and also work with the voluntary sector to provide a real variety of activities for young people.

“It’s really important that we give families opportunities to get active together. There is so much happening in the city this summer and many of these events are free so I would encourage people to head to their local Children’s Centre, Library, Leisure Centre or park for a great summer full of fun.”

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.

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

Aspley, Broxtowe and Bilborough

  • Let’s do this Session– Every Monday and Tuesday throughout the holidays there will be healthy cooking & physical activity at Phoenix Adventure Playground. There will be a crèche available. Sessions are 10am to 12.30pm for 0-5 years and 1.30pm to 4pm for 5+
  • Balloon Woods Play Session – Every Monday and Tuesday there will be a play session for 5-13 Years from 3.30pm to 5.30pm
  • Phoenix Play Session – Every Thursday and Friday from 3.30pm to 5.30pm there will be a play session for 5-11 Years at Phoenix Adventure Playground
  • Bells Lane Youth Group – Every Friday from 7pm to 9pm there will be a youth session for 11-19 Years at Bells Lane Community Centre
  • Play in the Park – Every Friday there will be a play in the park session at different parks each week. It takes places from 10.30am to 12.30pm and it’s open to all, click on your area above for dakes and destinations

Sherwood and Edwards Lane

  • Forest Fields Play Centre – There will be several play events including a children’s community open day, a mini Olympics with medal and trophy designing, plus a Super Hero Parade at Russell Road, Forest Fields. The dates are 28 and 29 July and the 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26, 27 August. There will be two sessions 3.30pm to 5.30pm and 11am to 2pm. Please see the above children’s Centre for specific dates and events
  • Sports Day – Olympic theme sports on Thursday 25 August from 11am to 5pm at Forest Recreation Ground, open to ages 10yrs to 14yrs
  • Youth Sessions – There will be various youth sessions at Edwards Lane Community Centre, New Basford Community Centre and Hyson Green Youth Club on Monday’s, Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s from 7pm to 9pm. Click on the link above for all the details.

Clifton

  • Travelling Ted – Every Wednesday from 11am to 2pm there will be trips to various parks, including Wollaton Park and Highfields Park. Kids will get to explore park life, street play and circus games. Parents are advised to bring a picnic lunch and Kangaroo tickets can be collected from Clifton Children’s centre reception. Click on the link above to find out the details
  • Play Session – Every Tuesday and Saturday there will be summer arts and craft play sessions at various places, including Clifton Children’s Centre, Clifton Playing Fields and Park Gate Community Centre. These take place on Wednesday’s at various times but Saturday’s will be from 11am -1pm. The events are open for 5-13yrs. See the link above for more details
  • Holiday Lunch Club – Every Monday and Tuesday there will be lunch clubs at various different times. There will be free sports, healthy meals and fun activities for over 5s. There will be a Crèche available for under 5s. These will all take place at Clifton Young Peoples Centre. For more details click on the link above

Bestwood, Basford, Top Valley and Bestwood Park

  • Picnic On The Park Pirate Park – There will be lots of fun activities on Thursday 4 August from 11.30am to 1pm. Don’t Forget To Bring Your Picnic
  • Mini Olympics – There will be lots of fun active play activities for your children on Tuesday 23 August from 10am to 11.30am at Southglade Access Centre
  • Ridge Adventure Playground – On Wednesday’s, Thursday’s and Friday’s there will be arts and crafts, games, sports, themed projects and light refreshments for different ages. 1pm to 3pm and 3:30pm to 5:30pm is open to 5-11yrs and 7pm – 9pm is open to 10 – 14 yrs. Click the link above for exact dates.

The Meadows

  • Travelling Ted – Every Wednesday from 11am-2pm there will be trips to various parks, including Wollaton Park and Highfields Park. Kids will get to explore park life, street play and circus games. Parents are advised to bring a picnic lunch and Kangaroo tickets can be collected from Meadows Children’s centre reception. Click on the link above to find out the details
  • Stonebridge Farm Trip Celebration Week –Kids can dress up as their favourite cartoon character and join in with themed activities, crafts, competitions and trails on a trip to the farm on Friday 5 August from 11am to 2pm. Collect Kangaroo tickets from Meadows Children Centre
  • Summerwood Community Garden Trip – There will be arts and crafts, plus meet the resident chickens and have the opportunity to feed them on Friday 19 August from 11 to 2pm. Collect Kangaroo tickets from Meadows Children
  • Nottingham Arboretum Trip – Kids can come along to one of Nottingham’s oldest parks and closet parks to the city centre on Friday 12 August from 11am to 2pm. Collect Kangaroo tickets from Meadows Children Centre

Bulwell and Bulwell Forest

  • Stay and Play – Every Friday at Bulwell Riverside from 10am to 11:30am there will be family fun and messy play
  • Play session in the park – Fun sessions exploring the park with new children’s play area and activities at Vernon Park on Tuesday 30 August from 1:30pm to 3:30pm
  • Song and Rhyme Time – Every Monday at Bulwell Library from 10:30am to 11am, children aged 0–5 Years will be able to experience singing and discover the wonders of books
  • Bulwell Forest Community Gardens – On Monday 1 August from 1pm to 3pm there will be a family BBQ, garden games & pizza’s on the clay oven and on Monday 15 August there will be a bugs life session, identifying bugs and worms and carrying out scientific survey’s from 10:30am to 12:30pm.

Dunkirk, Wollaton ,Lenton and Lenton Abbey

  • Travelling Ted – Every Wednesday from 11am to 2pm there will be trips to various parks, including Wollaton Park and Highfields Park. Kids will get to explore park life, street play and circus games. Parents are advised to bring a picnic lunch and Kangaroo tickets can be collected from your local Children’s centre reception. Click on the link above to find out the details
  • Stonebridge Farm Trip Celebration Week –Kids can dress up as their favourite cartoon character and join in with themed activities, crafts, competitions and trails on a trip to the farm on Friday 5 August from 11am to 2pm. Collect Kangaroo tickets from your local Children’s Centre
  • Summerwood Community Garden Trip – There will be arts and crafts, plus meet the resident chickens and have the opportunity to feed them on Friday 19 August from 11 to 2pm Collect Kangaroo tickets from your local Children’s Centre
  • Nottingham Arboretum Trip – Kids can come along to one of Nottingham’s oldest parks and closet parks to the city centre on Friday 12 August from 11am to 2pm. Collect Kangaroo tickets from your local Children’s Centre
  • Sheila Roper Play Session – Every Tuesday at Sheila Roper Community Centre there will be lots of activities including projects, sports, games and crafts from 3.30pm to 5pm for 5 – 13 yrs

Sneinton

  • Play Session – Every Thursday there will be fun different events for 5 – 11 year olds, including a summer disco, Summer Olympics and Circus Skills. From 3:30pm to 5:30pm at Oliver Hind Youth Club (Dako),30p Per Session
  • Teddy Bear Picnic – Tuesday 11 August from 11am to 1pm at Colwick Woods Park, bring your own picnic & bear
  • Family Day Trip – Friday 26 August to Markeaton Park from 10am to 4pm. Coach Leaves At 9:30am From Sneinton Children Centre

Hyson Green, Radford

  • Forest Fields Play Centre – There will be several play events including a children’s community open day, a mini Olympics with medal and trophy designing, plus a Super Hero Parade at Russell Road, Forest Fields. The dates are 28 and 29 July and 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26, 27 August. There will be two sessions, 3.30pm to 5.30pm and 11am to 2pm. Please see the above children’s Centres for specific dates and events
  • Football on the Forest – Every Friday from 3.30pm to 5.30pm at Forest Recreation Ground there will be football coaching and skills development with Forest. This is open to 10 to 14yrs. Booking essential please ask a Play & Youth Worker
  • Edwards Lane Play Session – Every Tuesday at Edwards Lane Community Centre there will be team challenges in football, basketball and table tennis for the teens and create your own super hero costume and superhero bake off for the little ones. 4pm to 6pm session is for 5 – 13 year olds and the 7pm to 9pm session is for 11 – 19 year olds

St Ann’s South

  • Play Activity – Friday 29 July from 3:30pm to 5:30pm at St. Ann’s Play Centre there will be free summer play, arts & crafts for 5 – 13 Year Olds
  • National Play Day – Wednesday 3 August from 10am to 3pm at St. Ann’s Play Centre
  • Play Session – Thursday 9 August from 3:30pm to 5:30pm at St. Ann’s Play Centre there will be a dance project & carnival t-shirts for 5 – 13 Year Olds
  • Coppice Park Event – Friday 19 August from 12pm to 3pm. Come And Meet The Play & Youth Team

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

Events in neighbourhoods

 

BULWELL 

Right Track activities

Aged 7-18? Come and Join Right Track for fun activities this Summer!

Art week

This will be a week of reflecting on the community you live in through arts, crafts and media.

The dates, timings and locations of Arts week are as follows:

  • Monday 15 August at Right Track Centre in Top Valley from 2pm to 4pm
  • Tuesday 16 August at Bulwell Academy from 2pm to 4pm
  • Wednesday 17 August at Snapewood Community Centre from 2pm to 4pm
  • Thursday 18 August at Bulwell Healthy living Centre from 2pm to 4pm

Sports week

Sports fun in the sun.

Regular sports will take place every day at the following locations and times.

  • Monday & Wednesdays at Bulwell Hall park from 10am to 12pm
  • Tuesday & Thursdays at Bulwell Forest Recreation Ground from 10am to 12pm
  • EXCLUDING : 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th,26th August

Wacky sports –

The dates, timings and locations of the weeks are as follows:

Week 1: 8 August – 12 August

Week 2: 29 August- 2 September

  • Mondays at Bulwell Hall Park from 2pm to 4pm
  • Tuesdays & Thursdays at Bulwell Forest Recreation Ground from 2pm to 4pm
  • Wednesdays at Ashton park from 2pm to 4pm

Eco Week

Expect orienteering, bugs, making bird houses, scavenger hunts, building things out of junk and litter picking

The dates, timings and locations of eco week are as follows:

  • Monday 22 August at Right Track Centre in Top Valley from 10am to 12 and 2pm to 4pm
  • Tuesday 23 August at Bulwell Academy from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm
  • Wednesday 24 August at Snapewood Community Centre from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm
  • Thursday 25 August at Bulwell Healthy Living Centre from 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm

Hyson Green, Forest Fields, Sherwood, Radford, Lenton & Dunkirk

Beacon Youth Project, sports and activities at Noel St from 2pm – 5pm

  • 15 Aug: Cook & Eat
  • 17 Aug: Computing/Console Games

Activities at Forest Fields Community Centre:

  • 16 Aug: multi use games & activities
  • 11 & 18 Aug: Football Tournament
  • 10 Aug: Trip to Sherwood Pines

East African Education Centre at Hyson Green Youth Club

Basketball, football, Arts & Crafts – 23rd July – 4th Sept

  • Saturdays: Basketball; 10-14yrs; 10am – 12 noon
  • Sundays: Football on Forest Rec for 14 yrs+

Shiefton Youth & Community Enterprise

Forest Fields Community Centre, Sturton Street, NG7 6HU

Creative arts, holistic health & fitness, relaxation & dance, healthy eating, fashion customising, sports on Tuesday’s & Thursday’s from 11am – 3.30pm. Open to ages 5 – 16 yrs; bring packed lunch

Dates – 11, 16,18, 23 & 25 Aug Showcase event 25th Aug – open to all

Sneinton and St Ann’s

Greenway Community Centre

Holiday Activities at on Monday to Friday from 8 to 25 August from 10am to 3pm

Meadows and Clifton

Portland leisure centre

Monday’s – Switch up (Boxing and multi sports)

  • Age 10-13, Time 5pm – 6pm
  • Age 14-19, Time 6pm – 7pm

Bridgeway Centre

Community information/Fun day Event

15th August 11am -3pm

(all Ages Welcome)

Summerwood Community Gardens

Allotment stay and play sessions on Tuesday’s

16 and 23 Aug, all Ages welcome. Time 11am – 1pm

Nottinghamshire Clubs for Young People

Family Fun Day

Monty Hind Training Centre, Leen Gate

Saturday 6 August  from 2– 5pm

Inflatables, games, cake decorating, tournaments, arts & crafts, food, fit-ness and dance, henna, face painting, smoothie making and lots more!

Free entry

Lenton Abbey Park—Family Picnic

Tuesday 16 August from 11am-2pm

Come along and enjoy a variety of crafts and physical activities, bring a picnic.