WHAT’S ON SUMMER OF FUN


Once children are settled in school, it can seem like there are precious few opportunities to spend quality time with them. The school run, after school clubs or classes, play dates and all the one off events taking place at school can mean that days and weeks whizz by.


Here at Time & Leisure Junior, we know that our local area is full of great days out and activities. The summer holidays are the perfect time to enjoy them. We also know that with at least six weeks of holidays to fill, the summer can be expensive for families. So we have tried to include free and low cost events. But if you have great ideas that we haven’t included here, please do share them on our facebook page for everyone to enjoy www.facebook.com/ timeandleisurejunior.


All you need to do is decide what sort of adventure you want this summer.


Wet and Wild We don’t know many little ones who don’t like getting wet. So we reckon this is hands down one of the best ways to entertain the kids this summer.


There are free paddling pools open across the borough of Merton throughout the summer holidays. This includes splash parks in Wimbledon Park and Mitcham.


TOP TIP:


Head to Hampton Outdoor Pool Book the kids in for TNT club and grab a couple of hours relaxation poolside before splashing around with the kids yourself.


14


For a more traditional poolside experience, head to the outdoor pool at Hampton. If you don’t fancy getting wet yourself, drop the kids off at the TNT activity club. Trained staff will supervise the kids for two hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.


Don’t panic if the weather isn’t great, there are lots of indoor opportunities to splash around. Check out the local leisure centres for low cost fun. Choose a crash course for pool confidence before a holiday or just join in the fun with the inflatable splash sessions.


first Sunday of every month at 10am. The club is for children aged six plus and starts from the Information Centre at 10am. Turn up a few minutes early to register if you haven’t been before.


Animal Adventures There are plenty of places to get up close and personal with animals this summer. There is more than enough to fill a day trip at Bocketts Farm Park. You can feed the animals or join in one of the petting sessions.


You don’t need to spend lots of money to see farm animals. Both Vauxhall City Farm and our very own Deen City Farm are free, although donations are welcome. You don’t have to just look at the animals, Deen City Farm offers


Young Farmer Days and Own a Pony experiences. Children aged 8 and over can book in for the real, hands-on farm experience.


If you prefer your animals on the more exotic side, head to Battersea Park Zoo where meerkats, lemurs and wallabies are on offer.


Alongside its usual range of animals, Hobbledown is offering falconry shows this summer. There will be flying and static demonstrations every day during the holidays.


Outdoor Expeditions We are lucky to have so many beautiful parks and outdoor spaces in, and within easy reach of, South West London.


One of our favourite activities is pond dipping. Take along a net and see what you can scoop out of the water. Make sure you take a bucket so that you can take a good look at what you catch and return it when you are done.


You could also choose to book into one of the great local holiday playschemes which focus on nature. YMCA runs Wild Play Days from its Hawker Centre in Kingston taking kids out to learn about nature. Activities include den building, whittling, camp fire building or woodland art. There are qualified instructors who can build


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32