School holiday activities this week
What’s on this week at our libraries?
Talks with author Matt Oldfield
Join Matt Oldfield, co-author of Ultimate Football Heroes and winner of the 2020 Children's Sports Book of the Year for Unbelievable Football Series, as he talks all about sports and books!
Suitable for children over 6 years old. Tickets cost £3 (£1 for siblings) and can be purchased at the host libraries. Children under 8 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Thursday 31 August
- Toddington Library at 10am
- Flitwick Library at 11:30am
- Sandy Library at 2pm
The Hare & Hedgehog by Widdershins Puppetry
Our Culture and Engagement team have organised some sessions from Widdershins Puppetry, who will share the story of Mr Hedgehog (with help from Mrs Hedgehog) outwitting the Haversham Hare! Perfect for families with children aged 5 years old or above.
The shows will take place on the following dates. Family tickets cost £3, which covers two children and two adults. Booking is essential so please book using the links below.
- Friday 25 August, 11:15am to midday, The Heathfield Centre, Caddington.
Book tickets for 25 August
What’s on this week at our Children’s Centres?
Shefford and Stotfold Children's Centre
Stondon Family Café
Tuesday 29 August, 9:30am to 11:30am, Stondon Baptist Church Hall, Station Road, Lower Stondon, Henlow, SG16 6JL.
For parents, carers, babies and children. Join us at Stondon Baptist Church Hall for a free cuppa, snack and play on Tuesdays. Support, advice and signposting for all aspects of parenting.
SEND Active Play
Wednesday 30 August, 10am to 11am, Arlesey Youth Centre, High St, SG15 6SN.
All ages welcome, but this activity is ideal for children who are between 4 and 10 years old. Free to attend, with no need to book. A safe play environment for your child, no need for a formal diagnosis.
Explore & Walk for all ages
Thursday 31 August, 1pm to 2pm, Shefford Children’s Centre, School Lane, Shefford, SG17 5GS
Meet in the car park at Shefford Children's Centre, and head off for a walk, a toddle and a chat.
Flitwick Children's Centre
Walk in the woods
Thursday 31 August, 10am to 11:30am, Flitwick Children's Centre, Malham Close, Flitwick, Bedford, MK45 1PU
Meet at Flitwick Childrens Centre for a walk to and around Flitwick Woods. Instruments, songs, rhymes, props, parachute, bubbles. Suitable for children up to 8 years old.
Booking is required. To book please call 0300 300 887 or 0300 300 4968.
Splash and Play
Friday 1 September, 10am to 11:30am, Flitwick Children's Centre, Malham Close, Flitwick, Bedford, MK45 1PU.
For families with children under 5 years old. Garden and water play. Drop in session, just come along for a 10am start.
What’s on this week for children with SEND?
Imagination Dance Sensory Movement Workshops
These workshops involve props, music, movement and sensory exploration. There are two types of session running, suitable for different abilities:
Suitable for 3+, for those who need support from a parent/carer to participate
- Wednesday 30 August, 10am to 10:45am at Flitwick Football Club, Ampthill Road, Flitwick, MK45 1BA
Free to attend but booking is required. Call 07394 934911 or email info.imaginationarts@yahoo.com.
Suitable for 7+, participants must be able to participate independently without a parent/carer present
- Tuesday 22 August, 10am to 1:30pm at Stratton Upper School, Biggleswade, SG18 8JB
- Wednesday 23 August, 11:30am to 1:30pm at Flitwick Football Club, Ampthill Road, Flitwick, MK45 1BA
Free to attend but booking is required. Call 07394 934911 or email info.imaginationarts@yahoo.com.
Imagination Dance Workshop Learning a Dance Routine
Designed for children over 7 years old who can follow instruction and participate independently. Booking is essential as places are limited. To book please call: 0300 300 8114.
Wednesday 30 August, 11:30am to midday, Sandy Scout Hut, Sunderland Road, Sandy, SG19 1QT
SEND summer swimming sessions
Our leisure centres are offering swim sessions for children, young people and families with SEND during the summer holidays. The SEND swimming session is an opportunity to share the pool exclusively for an hour with other families who have a child or young person with SEND.
See the full itinery of sessions.
Stay and Play in our own way
All our children’s centres run regular SEND Stay & Play in your own way sessions.
Everyone is welcome to join SEND Stay & Play sessions, including those without a diagnosis. They are drop-in sessions so don’t require booking, and are suitable for children aged 18 months to 8 years old.
SEND Active Play
Run by Shefford Children’s Centre, no booking is required.
Wednesday 30 August, 10am to 11:30am at Arlesey Youth Centre, High Street, Arlesey, SG15 6SN.
What’s on this week across the countryside?
Houghton Hall Park
Outside Theatre, Tuesday 29 August from 11am to 2:30pm
Join Mole, Ratty and Badger on their mad-cap adventures in Quantum Theatre’s brand new adaptation of the Kenneth Grahame classic. Tickets cost £5 per child (2 years and over) which also includes a Peter Rabbit trail around the kitchen gardens.
Mini Beast Hunting, Thursday 31 August, 10am to midday
Collect a mini beast hunting kit and see what you can find in two hours. The kit costs £6, is suitable for three children and includes an instruction sheet, a sweep net, a bug tray, bug pots and an ID sheet.
Forest of Marston Vale
The Forest of Marston Vale is 61 square miles and has 13 of its own woodlands which are ready for exploring! You can download activity sheets for children to take out and about into the park, keeping little ones busy and helping them learn about the animals and plants in the park. Find out more about walks and trails in the forest.
Rushmere Country Park
There are various trails so visitors can enjoy the park, including The Sculpture Trail, Oak Wood Trail, a Nature Rubbing Trail and The Heathland Trail. Cyclists are also welcome at the Park, and there are play spots available and a cafe. Find out more about the walks and trails at the park.