Fun Activities for Kids Across Reading this Summer

Summer is here!

FAMILY fun days, teddy bears' picnics, slime making sessions and a special outdoor rhymetime in Palmer Park, are among the fun range of activities the Council is laying on for kids over the summer holidays.

Reading Libraries summer activities kick off on Thursday 25th July with a free outdoor rhymetime in Palmer Park with Teddies Music Club from 10.30am. As well as offering their ever popular library rhymetimes, storytimes and craft sessions, Reading Libraries are also calling for children aged 4-13 to sign up to read six books this summer as part of Space Chase – the space themed Summer Reading Challenge 2019, with lots of rewards along the way! Other highlights this summer across all Reading Library branches include Fred in the Shed magic shows and at South Reading Community Hub library, Slime Time on 30th July and Dinosaur Day on 20th August. Find out more at www.reading.gov.uk/libraries Reading Play are running three holiday clubs in Reading: at Katesgrove (Waterloo Meadows), Caversham (The Hill) and South Reading (Green Park) and don’t miss their Family Fun Day at Prospect Park on Friday 2nd August, 11am to 4pm, featuring bubble zorbing, climbing wall, messy play, Owen’s Animals, soft archery, arts & crafts, under 5’s soft play and lots more. Visit www.Readingplay.co.uk For families looking to get out and about, there are many beautiful parks and gardens in Reading with play areas, a paddling pool and space to play games. www.reading.gov.uk/parks Reading Sport & Leisure (RSL) is also offering a week long Athletics Holiday Camp with coaching in running, jumping and throwing culminating in a ‘Mini Olympics’ from Monday 29th July at Palmer Park Sports Stadium and not forgetting all the activities on offer at RSL Centres at Meadway, Palmer Park and South Reading. Highlights include swim lessons, cycling, football with Reading FC, tennis, family badminton, trampolining, tots play & bounce and much, much more! There are also free swimming sessions with a Your Reading Passport & splash around sessions for a £1 at Meadway Sports Centre and South Reading Leisure Centre. Visit www.readingleisure.co.uk/activities-children/holiday-activities Reading Museum is hosting events throughout the summer at the main museum as well as the Abbey Gateway and the Abbey Ruins. There are a number of fun craft sessions, including Ladybird Books themed creep crawly pots, badge making and spoon creatures, as well as a Roman Themed Fun Day on 25th July, a Jane Austen Abbey Gateway Tour on 27th July and a Teddy Bears’ Picnic on 31st July. Other activities include a number of family friendly tours. The museum also offer free story time sessions for tots every Wednesday at 10.30am. Visit www.readingmuseum.org.uk/museum/whats-on Children’s Centres across the borough, being run by Brighter Futures for Children, are hosting events to keep youngsters occupied through the summer break. The centres will be open throughout the summer holiday offering activities from 29th July to 30th August 2018. Details of all the summer programmes at Reading’s Children’s Centres can be found at: http://servicesguide.reading.gov.uk

Cllr Karen Rowland, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Culture, Heritage and Recreation, said:

“The long-awaited summer break is soon here and we know residents will be looking for affordable ways to keep their children occupied. We are sure that our programme of events this summer offers something for everyone. “To get the kids out of the house, take advantage of the Council’s Library Service which offers a fantastic range of free and low cost activities to stretch young minds and imaginations. Also, don’t forget to check out what’s on at Reading Sports & Leisure, Reading Museum, Reading Play and across Reading’s Children’s Centres which all have a wide range of activities for kids this summer. Finally, whilst the weather is lovely, do take advantage of all the beautiful parks and open spaces across the borough and plan a family day out picnic. There’s no shortage of options in Reading to get the kids out of the house and off the computer.”

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