The summer holidays are about to start – here’s a selection of activities to keep the kids busy, including the chance to become a farmer for the day.
Explore the recycled indoor playground at Southbank
There is a playground at the Southbank Centre right now made out of rubbish for kids to explore and play ‘sustainably.’
Part installation, part adventure playground, REPLAY is a space built entirely out of waste materials. It is one of Planet Summer’s exhibitions – a whole season of climate-related events.
Where? Exhibition Space, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX
When? 8 Jul – 3 Sep, various times
Admission: Adult £6.50, Child £6.50
Click here to see Planet Summer’s full programme.
Ready, set, read!
Southwark Libraries are challenging children to read six books during the summer holiday – and there are rewards to claim after each one.
Sign up at your local library, then read six library books of your choice, collecting stickers and other rewards along the way – all free.
The challenge is aimed at children aged 4 to 11. But children ages 0-4 can also take part in the Mini Challenge. Young people aged 12 to 17 should read four books to complete the Teen Challenge.
There will be a programme of summer events in all Southwark Libraries alongside the Summer Reading Challenge.
Free swimming at all Southwark leisure centres
Residents can use swimming and gym facilities for free in all Southwark leisure centres.
Free access is available at the following times:
- all day Fridays (check with your local leisure centre for any exceptions)
- Saturday and Sunday (from 2 pm to closing)
- adults aged over 60 years can take part in any Silver sessions free throughout the week
- disabled residents can use every leisure centre free 7 days a week
Register online at southwark.gov.uk or at your nearest leisure centre to claim this offer.
A day on the farm in Rotherhithe
This summer, Surrey Docks Farm is offering kids the chance to be a farmer for a day with their ‘Farm Club’.
Activities include animal handling, a mixture of feeding, and mucking out of our friendly farm animals; nature-based arts and crafts, bushcraft skills, fire building and lighting and activities such as pond dipping and exploring the foreshore.
Where? Surrey Docks Farm, Rotherhithe St, South Wharf, SE16 5ET
When? Thursday, July 27 – Friday, July 28, and Thursday, August 17 – Friday, August 18. The farm club runs from 10 am – 4 pm.
Admission: £40 per child. Booking and payment in advance is essential. Click here for tickets. Ages 8-13 only.
The Farm remains free to visit and is open from Monday – Saturday from 10 am – 4 pm.