With the autumn half term upon us, Nottingham City Council has organised events to give children and teenagers exciting and rewarding activities. There are some special seasonal events, but many of the activities are actually run all year round by Nottingham City Council’s Play & Youth service.
There’ll be something for all the family including celebrating Robin Hood Week, fancy dress parties, a parade and plenty of family fun days. There’ll also be opportunities to learn new skills and activities at Children’s Centres.
There are also plenty of other events happening across the city that all age groups can get involved with. Here are just a few of them:
- ‘Schools Out’ Holiday Activities for 8 to15 year olds just £1 a day!
This autumn sees the return of the popular school holiday activity programme which gives older children the chance to take part in a variety sports, games, arts and crafts. It’s running from Monday 19 October until Friday 30 October from 9am-4pm. It’s a great way for children to make friends, be healthy and more active – at just £1 a day, it’s affordable too!
Activities are running at City Council Leisure Centres: – Clifton, John Carroll and Southglade plus Portland Leisure Centre and Minver Crescent. Pre book your place from Monday 12th October.
For more information and contact details visit: www.nottscountyfitc.org.uk/our-work/projects/schoolsout/
- Robin Hood Week – Friday 16 – Saturday 31 October
A fantastic celebration of our heroic outlaw! Visit the Old Market Square daily between 11.30am and 3pm for a half-term week that will thrill children of all ages! See combat displays, handle weaponry and experience medieval justice, meet hilarious and hapless characters, and meet Nottingham’s own Robin Hood as he performs daily.
- Robin Hood fun in Libraries – Friday 16 – Friday 30 October
Entertain the kids this half-term with Robin Hood themed storytelling and fun in city libraries.
For more information and contact details visit: www.experiencenottinghamshire.com/robinhoodweek
Cllr David Mellen, Portfolio Holder for Early Help and Early Intervention, said: “Giving children in Nottingham positive and interesting things to do during school holidays 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, who 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 this half term.”
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 summer activities on offer can be found at www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/halfterm
Check out some of the event run by the council’s children’s centre, youth and play staff
Aspley, Broxtowe and Bilborough
- Phoenix Halloween party and Parade – Family Event, Lazer tag, Apple Bobbing, Haunted Forest, Dancing, Spooky games, Feely Boxes, Archery Fun ,bikes and the Wildlife Trust at Phoenix Adventure Playground, Thursday 29 from 4.30pm -7.30pm
- Phoenix Play session – For 5-11 year olds. Hat making, Jacket potatoes, Jack o Lantern carving from Clay, Face Paints, Twitley Sticks at Phoenix Adventure Playground, Friday 23 from 3.30pm -5.30pm
- Kennington Park Play in the Park – for 5-13 year olds. Mask making. Soup and Bread. Lanterns Finger printing and much more at Kennington Park, Tuesday 27 from 2pm – 4pm
- Forest Fields Play Centre – for 5-13 year olds. Woolly crafts, decorating letters, Mexican eyes, Hopscotch challenges, Table tennis, changing games on Wednesday 21 from 3.30pm – 5.30pm
- Forest Fields Play Centre – for 5-13 year olds. Making Halloween masks & Costumes, Bats & Cats on Thursday 29 from 3.30pm – 5.30pm
- Summerwood community Gardens – for 8+ years. Arts & carts, planting mini pots, woodwork, and bug box making etc. Thursday 22 from 2pm-4pm.
- Play Session – for 5-13 year olds. Halloween Crafts at Park Gate Community Centre. 30p admission fee on Tuesday 27 from 2-4pm.
Bestwood, Basford, Top Valley and Bestwood Park
- Old Basford Community Centre – Joint Saltar Session, Arts/ Crafts ,Healthy Snacks, Active Play Outdoor Activities, Relay Races, Quick Cricket on Wednesday 21 from 1pm-3pm.
- The Ridge – for 5-13 year olds. Arts/ Crafts, Active Play, Outdoor Activities, Healthy Snacks, Scarecrow Making, Window Sun catchers, Relay Race on Friday 23 from 3.15pm-5.15pm.
- Heathfield Community Centre –from 5-13 year olds. Halloween Party, Pumpkin Carving, Apple Bobbing, Toffee Apple Making, Fancy Dress Competition on Tuesday 27 from 3.30-5.30pm
- Meadows Youth Session – from 11-16 year olds. Media, Arts & Crafts And sports 30p Admission at Meadows Youth Club on Friday 30 from 7pm-9pm
- AMC Gardens – for 5-13 year olds. Creative and physical play activities in a fun and friendly atmosphere at Arkwright Community Gardens on Thursday 29 from 3.30pm-5pm.
- Spooky Wooky Wednesday – Come along and make Halloween crafts at Meadows Children Centre on Wednesday 28 from 12pm-2pm
- Woodlands Project Story Trails & Woodland Tales – Family event for children 0-13 years. Story Telling, Bulwell Community Toy Library at Bakers Wood – Bulwell Hall Park. Small charge for face painting, bow making and campfire refreshments. Happening on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 from 10am-4pm.
- Halloween Play Party – for 5-13 year olds. Play & Youth Team, Bulwell Community Toy Library at Riverside. £1 TICKET ONLY EVENT Please contact the Play and Youth Team at Riverside for more info. Happening on Thursday 29 from 3:30pm-6pm.
Radford, Dunkirk, Wollaton ,Lenton and Lenton Abbey
- Spanish Language Day – for 11-19 year olds. Wollaton Vale Youth Club will be doing Paella Making, Learning Spanish, Flamenco Dancing on Wednesday 21 from 7pm-9pm.
- Pumpkin Day Harrow Road Transitional session –for 8-16 year olds. Pumpkin Carving, Pumpkin Cheesecake and Pumpkin Soup at Wollaton Community Centre on Friday 23 from 4pm-6pm.
- Family Fun Day! Relaunch of Balloon Woods Adventure Playground – Taster sessions of indoor and outdoor activities. Tombola, craft activities, light refreshments. Owl Babies: A visit from the Owls. All day on Wednesday 28.
- Spooky Saturday – Halloween fest of activities including gory face paints, toffee apples, craft and light refreshments at Balloon Woods Adventure Playground on Saturday 31 from 1.30 – 3.30pm
- Oliver Hind Youth Club – Make Ghouly Hand Casts, Bug Biscuits and Nottingham Forest Football Session on Thursday 22 from 7pm-9pm.
- Oliver Hind Play Session Week of Action – Bulb Planting, Fairy Bug Cakes, Spooky Sports Crafts on Thursday 22 from 3:30 – 5:30pm.
- Forest Fields Play Centre –for 5-13 year olds. Woolly crafts, decorating letters, Mexican eyes Hopscotch challenges, Table tennis, changing games on Wednesday 21 3.30pm-5.30pm
- Forest Fields Play Centre – for 5-13 year olds. Making Halloween masks & Costumes, Bats & Cats on Thursday 29 from 3.30pm-5.30pm
- Play Session – Ghouly Hand Prints, Spooky Sports & Crafts at St. Ann’s Adventure Playground on Tuesday 20 from 3:30pm-5:30pm
- Play Session – Trick Or Treat Bags, Spooky Sports, Crafts & Free Play at St. Ann’s Adventure Playground on Friday 23 from 3:30pm – 5:30pm
- Youth Session – Tye-Dye T-Shirts, Ghouly Hand Casts, Nottingham Forest Football Session, Mushy Peas & Hotdogs at Russell Youth Club on Friday 23 from 7pm-9pm.
Rainbow Stripes music sessions run regularly across Nottingham and cost just £1 a session, here are the dates and venue details: For more information visit https://www.rainbowstripes.net/
- Tuesday’s from 9.30am-10.30am at Burford School
- Tuesday’s from 11am-12pm at Meadows Children’s Centre
- Wednesday’s from 1.15pm-2.15pm at Sneinton Hermitage Community Centre
- Thursday’s from 9.30am-10.30am at Sherwood Children’s Centre
- Friday’s from 9.30am-10.30am at Radford Children’s Centre
- Friday’s from 12pm-1pm at Bulwell Children’s Centre
- Friday’s from 1.30pm-2.30pm at Parkgate Community 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