The summer holidays are here, and parents and carers can find a huge range of low cost or free activities on offer in Bracknell Forest.
The borough has many green spaces and parks to explore with fun, free activities to do, from nature trails and brass rubbing to den building and play areas.
Summer of Fun events
The free Summer of Fun events include inflatables, circus skills, balloon modelling, side stalls, refreshments and much more.
The events, organised by the town and parish councils, are being held throughout the borough:
- Great Hollands – Wednesday, 5 August
- Winkfield – Thursday, 13 August
- Crowthorne – Tuesday, 18 August
- Braybrooke – Wednesday, 26 August
Bracknell Forest libraries Summer Reading Challenge
Join up for the free Summer Reading Challenge at libraries across the borough. With a theme of ‘read to the beat’, children aged four to 11 can discover new books, earn rewards and take part in music-inspired events and activities until 11 September.
Best Start family hub summer activities
The Best Start family hubs are running a series of family hub summer events for families with young children.
From drop-in family play sessions to bumps and baby sessions, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
South Hill Park
At South Hill Park, the summer holidays are packed with lots of free and low-cost activities for children (PDF, 1.6 MB), to let their creativity shine without breaking the bank. From collage making to Japanese calligraphy and musical theatre dance, there’s plenty to choose from.
Coral Reef Waterworld
Join the pirate adventures at Coral Reef Waterworld and enjoy:
- swimming pool
- waterslides
- a pirate ship
Accessible sessions will run on 12 and 26 August from 8am to 9.30am.
The Look Out Discovery Centre
This summer, visitors to The Look Out Discovery Centre can enjoy reduced prices on general admission sessions. The offer is part of the government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme.
Bracknell Leisure Centre
There are several activities for youngsters and families that are just £2 per person this summer, including table tennis, pickleball and badminton. Book through the Everyone Active app, Everyone Active website or the customer services team.
The Lexicon
This summer, The Lexicon is bringing a month of free, family-friendly dragon themed events.
Discover the five impressive animatronic dragons, alongside 10 beautifully designed dragon eggs created by local secondary schools and colleges.
Families can also enjoy weekly meet-and-greet sessions with five spectacular dragon puppets or ride on the dragon themed Lexicon Express.
In addition to the dragons, visitors can swap sunshine for snowfall as a new real indoor SnowPark opens at The Lexicon for a limited time from 7 August.
Visitors can step into a magical winter wonderland in the middle of summer, complete with real falling snow and freshly made snow underfoot.
A number of restaurants in The Lexicon are running a ‘kids eat free’ offer over the holidays including Zizzi, Musica, The Real Greek, Pizza Express, Fuego and Las Iguanas.
Free bus travel for children this August
Children aged five to 15 can travel free on participating bus services throughout August. In Bracknell Forest, this includes services run by Thames Valley Buses, Reading Buses and Stagecoach. Perfect for family days out, meeting friends, shopping or exploring somewhere new.
The HAF programme
In addition to these activities, there is also support available for people struggling financially, through the holiday activities and food programme (HAF).
The holiday activities and food programme is open to children who are eligible for benefit related free school meals. These activities will include:
- sports
- arts and crafts
- performing arts
Parents/carers can book up to 16 sessions over the summer holidays (places are subject to funding availability). All participating children will also receive a healthy meal.
Cllr Megan Wright, cabinet member for children, young people and health, said:
“There is so much to do over the summer holidays in Bracknell Forest. We have a fantastic range of free or low-cost activities, for all weather. Getting out and about, exploring the great things on our doorstep will give families a summer to remember.”
