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How to entertain the kids in Cambridgeshire for the rest of the 2024 summer holidays




Running out of ideas for ways to entertain the kids for the remainder of the long school holidays?

Fear not, the Cambridge Independent has scoured the horizon for all things fun, including some activities that are mercifully free or low cost alongside events that may require some splashing out, writes Eleanor Spencer.

The Bricklive Grand Safari in the Grand Arcade. Picture: Keith Heppell
The Bricklive Grand Safari in the Grand Arcade. Picture: Keith Heppell

Summer at the Museums

The University of Cambridge’s museums have come up trumps this year with a huge range of activities for little one, and most of them are free.

The Fitzwilliam Museum is offering family-friendly outdoor sensory play sessions designed by artists Play Build Play. Inspired by the museum’s ‘Paris 1924: Sport, Art and the Body’ exhibition, artists Play Build Play have designed a sensory athletics field of play for families to take-part in.

Visit: https://www.museums.cam.ac.uk/

Dino World Live

Cambridge Arts Theatre will host Dinosaur World Live over the summer - a show of life-size dinosaur puppets aimed towards families with younger children. The show is highly acclaimed, touring the country after a run on the West End. The show also includes a meet and greet for children with the dinosaurs at the end of the show. Performances are appropriate for ages three-plus.

Events will be running twice daily from 19 to 21 August, and tickets will cost £20 per person.

Visit https://www.cambridgeartstheatre.com/whats-on/dinosaur-world-live-2024

Ancient Oak Fayre

Ancient Oak Medieval Fayre Picture Mark Westley.
Ancient Oak Medieval Fayre Picture Mark Westley.

Near the end of the summer, Quy Country Park will be home to Ancient Oak Fayre, a renaissance and mediaeval-inspired weekend where visitors can watch jesters, jousts and bards and immerse themselves in European history. This weekend is appropriate for all ages, and the Fairy Glade section will include lots of free activities for young children to take part in such as making fantasy wands and crowns, painting wish stones and making dreamcatchers.

Events will be running on the 31 August and 1 September, and tickets will start at £20 for an adult and £10 for a child. Dogs are also welcome on leads.

Visit ancientoak.uk

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Picture: Pamela Raith Photography
The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Picture: Pamela Raith Photography

Also at the Cambridge Arts Theatre this summer, on tour after a West End run, is a performance based on the children’s popular book The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Sing-along moments, vibrant costumes and self described ‘clumsy chaos’ are promised. On Sunday, the play will be performed in a relaxed style for people to come and go as they please and the sensory experience will be milder, making the show accessible for all families and little ones aged three-plus.

It runs from 23 to 25 August and tickets will be £18 per person.

Visit https://www.cambridgeartstheatre.com/whats-on/tiger-who-came-tea-2024

Denny Abbey and the Farmland Museum’s Themed Weeks

Denny Abbey and the Farmland Museum are running a range of themed weeks over summer, where children can get involved with arts, crafts and historical reenactments from different time periods. Families can experience what a typical Victorian wash-day would be like, or try their hand at training to be a Mediaeval knight in these all-ages events.

This is running throughout the entire holiday, and participation will be free bar the museum’s standard entrance fee.

For more information, visit dennyfarmlandmuseum.org.uk

https://www.dennyfarmlandmuseum.org.uk/events/category/events

Out of the Ordinary Festival

For the August bank holiday weekend, Cambridge’s historic city centre and Christ’s Piece will be dotted with street performers. Shows will range from stand-up comedy, to hula hooping, to mime, and more. Shows will be available to all ages, with options for participation from the audience in many performances. As well as shows, local fast food vendors will be placed around the events, providing cuisine from various cultures to visitors.

Events will be running over 24 and 25 August, and all shows are free to attend.

For more information, visit cambridgelive.org.uk

https://www.cambridgelive.org.uk/city-events/OOTO

Grand Safari at the Grand Arcade

The Bricklive Grand Safari in the Grand Arcade. Picture: Keith Heppell
The Bricklive Grand Safari in the Grand Arcade. Picture: Keith Heppell

The Grand Arcade, in partnership with the Museum of Zoology, is now home of the BRICKLIVE Grand Safari over summer; a collection of 15 intricate animals made of tiny bricks. This art has previously toured Asia, Europe and the Americas before making its way to Cambridge. On display will be animals such as orangutans, emperor penguins, giant pandas, and even a Bengal tiger made of 81,350 bricks. After viewing, families are encouraged to visit the Museum of Zoology to gain an understanding of what these creatures really look like.

The safari will be shown until 27 August, with a family craft workshop taking place on 20 August. Entry to the exhibition and participation in the craft activities are both free.

For more information, visit grandarcade.co.uk or museum.zoo.cam.ac.uk

Zapt Laser Tag

ZAPT Laser Tag, in Milton Counry Park. Picture: Keith Heppell
ZAPT Laser Tag, in Milton Counry Park. Picture: Keith Heppell

Fancy a day where the kids don’t look at screens and get a bit of exercise too? Zapt Laser Tag in Milton Country Park’s woodland offers an action-packed outdoor gaming experience for players aged 7 upwards. Players aged 13 and above can play without adult supervision and those aged between 8 and 12 can play unaccompanied, although at least one adult must stay within the vicinity of Zapt. Groups with two or more 7 year-olds will need at least 2 playing adults accompanying them.

Zapt Laser Tag is a high-energy strategy team activity, with state-of-the-art equipment and games guided by the Zapt marshals. Suitable for birthday parties, group bookings and days out with family and friends, the Zapt Zone can take up to 30 players at any one time.

To book: visit zaptlasertag.com or call 01223 800060

Imperial War Museum, Duxford

CI Duxford Summer Air Show D-Day 80 event. Picture: Chris Worrall
CI Duxford Summer Air Show D-Day 80 event. Picture: Chris Worrall

There’s fun for all the family at IWM Duxford over the summer. Whether you want to see vintage aircraft flying displays or join in a hands-on family mission.

Enjoy Flying Days: The Americans with over an hour of flying displays and a great day out at Duxford on Saturday, 17 August or try an after-hours entry to IWM Duxford Flying Days: 19 Squadron and witness the aircraft that still call Duxford home take to the skies as the sun goes down across this historic Second World War airfield.

And Family Mission: D-Day Edition is an event all ages can enjoy that is available every weekend. It’s 1944 and one of the most important days of the Second World War is looming. You and your family are needed as paratrooper recruits. As a team, use your jump bag to discover more across the museum. Explore our Handling objects to learn about the chocolate rations airborne soldiers took with them.

And don’t miss the new play area!

Tickets: iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford

Wimpole’s Sunset Series

At Wimpole Hall over summer is the Sunset Series - theatre and musical entertainment ranging from Beauty and the Beast to a folk music picnic to Shakespeare performances. Taking place in the grounds, all the productions are surrounded by nature. Dress appropriately for the weather and bring your own chairs and picnic rugs. Events are appropriate for all ages.

Performances run on various nights up to 23 August, and prices vary depending on the production.

Visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cambridgeshire/wimpole-estate/events

Music in the Parks

Music in the Parks, Cambridge
Music in the Parks, Cambridge

There are a couple more of these free concerts to look forward to. All of them run from 3-5pm. All events include toilet facilities and some chairs, but you are advised to bring your own if possible. And don’t forget the picnic!
18 August – Nuns Way Recreation Ground: Waterbeach Brass
1 September – Dudley Road Recreation Ground: Under the Covers

Active family sport and activity sessions

These free, fun sessions, organised by Cambridge City Council, take place every Tuesday, from 10am-2pm. Local clubs will lead sessions of archery, dance, orienteering, skating and more, or you can make your own fun in the family play zone. Bring water, snacks and a picnic blanket. Sessions run on:
20 August: Nightingale recreation ground
27 August: Pye’s recreation ground.



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