Here are the activities happening in Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough and Rushden during the summer holidays
With the arrival of the summer holidays, families across Northamptonshire will be looking for active and entertaining ways to stay busy during the six-week break.
While the summer break can be a great opportunity to spend more time with loved ones, it can often be a tough task to keep everyone busy and entertained in the time before the new school term starts in September.
In north Northamptonshire, families aren’t short of options this summer, with a range of activities taking place throughout the weeks ahead, including plenty of free events to keep the whole family amused as temperatures rise.
We’ve taken the opportunity to put together some activities happening locally this summer.
If you’re hosting an event in north Northamptonshire during the summer holidays, let us know by emailing [email protected].
Kettering
Kettering By The Sea launched yesterday (July 21), offering daily free activities for residents wanting a town centre getaway in Market Square. The attraction features a main sand pit area, a SEND-friendly space consisting of a gazebo with a surrounding fenced area. Kettering By The Sea will run until Tuesday, August 11, and is now open daily from 10am to 4pm.
During the August bank holiday weekend, Wicksteed Park will host its Love Food event, promising to be a celebration of local food, drink, produce and more on Sunday, August 30 from 10am to 5pm.
Corby
The Corby Active Families Funday will take place on August 5 from midday until 4pm, with a day filled with a wide range of activities for all ages, including arts and crafts, sports, rides, games, climbing activities, water slides and more. The event at West Glebe Park, Corby, is free to attend.
From Thursday, July 30 to Monday, August 31, 10am until 5pm, Corby Town Council is hosting ‘Sandpit Holiday Fun’ at Willow Place in Corby, where visitors will have the chance to stop by the sandpit and enjoy a Punch and Judy show at midday and 2pm on Thursday, July 30, August 6, August 13 and August 20.
Corby-based arts organisation, Made With Many, will offer free creative activities and entertainment for all ages as part of its Summer Shazam event on August 15, beginning at 10am and lasting until 4pm.
Wellingborough
The Beach in Wellingborough will return to the town centre on August 1, lasting the entire month. A launch party on August 1 will be followed by inflatables near the beach on August 7, face painting on August 13, and a Punch and Judy show on August 24, as well as other events throughout the month.
A Wellingborough Town Council spokesman said: “Bring your buckets and spades, relax in the sand, and make the most of the summer holidays without spending a penny.
“Throughout August you'll also be able to enjoy free additional attractions and entertainment, including the launch Beach Party, special activity days, live entertainment, face painting, vintage bus rides, inflatable fun, and much more.”
Every Wednesday, a free shuttle bus will run regular routes between the town centre and the Splash Park at the Embankment.
Glamis Hall in Goldsmith Road is hosting its free family festival this weekend, with stalls, face painting, a barbecue, crazy golf, and more on Saturday, July 25 from 10am until 3pm.
The Chester House Estate is hosting a handful of events during the summer to help keep the kids entertained during the school break.
The annual Roman Fest will return on July 25 and 26, where visitors can experience Roman army displays, Roman-inspired crafts activities and demonstrations, and stalls with family friendly activities run by museums, local societies and professional archaeologists. Roman Fest is free to attend, however online booking (here) is advised.
On August 21 and 22, visitors aged eight to 18 will have an opportunity to learn more about the site’s Roman origins with a unique series of archaeology workshops, hosted by Chester House Estate and the University of Leicester. There, attendees will spend two hours digging and recording in the site’s excavation area, guided by professional archaeologists, and helping to wash artifacts recovered during this year’s excavations, learning the importance of conservation along the way.
Spaces for the workshops are limited, and can be booked online here.
Rushden
Like previous years, Hall Park in Rushden will host children's summer holiday workshops, where attendees will be given the opportunity to learn skills in African drumming on July 29, witness a birds of prey demonstration on August 5, and experience a story telling workshop on August 6 and a science workshop on August 12. Each of the sessions are completely free to attend.
A Rushden Town Council spokesman said: “Designed for children aged four years and above, the workshops will take place across three Wednesdays during the summer holidays, providing fun, educational and hands-on experiences for young people and their families.”
Hall Park will also see the return of Rushden Historical Transport Society’s annual car show, which promises more than 400 cars on display on August 2 from 11am.
Rushden Lakes launched its beach attraction this month, which will be open from 10am until 7pm Monday to Friday and Sundays, and 10am until 8pm on Saturdays. Entry is on a first-come, first-served basis, with up to 30 children permitted at any one time.