WITH the school summer holidays now in full swing, parents may be getting stuck for ideas on how to entertain children without spending loads of money.
While all children love a trip out, sometimes these can end up very expensive if you have to pay for tickets to get in somewhere.
Here, we have compiled a list of 17 completely free activities and things to do in the area with children over the six-week holidays.
Hampshire Hog Trail
Hampshire Hogs is a special art sculpture trail for this summer, with 17 beautifully designed hog sculptures painted by local artists displayed in and around Basingstoke for all to discover.
A special app can be downloaded to help locate the hogs, with the trail launching this week on August 10. For more information visit https://www.destinationbasingstoke.co.uk/hogs/.
Paddle in a stream
Kids love water, and if it’s hot paddling in a stream is a great way to cool down and have fun. In Basingstoke, Eastrop Park has a stream next to the car park at the far-side, which is ideal for paddling, surrounded by grassy banks where parents can sit and watch.
Piggy Dam in Old Basing is also a popular location for paddling, and even has a rope swing across the stream.
Build a den
This is always great fun for youngsters, particularly if you have children of mixed ages.
The Vyne Woods in Sherborne St John is the perfect den-building location with plenty of open spaces in the woodland.
There are already numerous dens built by others which children can enjoy as well.
Paw Patrol
From August 20 to August 31, the popular Paw Patrol characters will be in Festival Place built using Lego bricks.
Children can follow a trail around the shopping centre to find their favourite characters including Chase, Marshall, and Skye.
This offers the perfect activity for a rainy day, or if you have some shopping to do and want something to entertain the kids at the same time.
Peppa Pig
Those with younger children can meet Peppa Pig at Chineham Shopping Centre on August 14 between 10am and 4pm, as part of a day of free family fun.
The shopping centre has invited the cheeky little pig to meet youngsters at intervals throughout the day when she will pose for photos at 10am, 11.15am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.15pm.
Families can also enjoy free pig-themed arts and crafts, as well as enjoy the centre’s giant colouring wall.
Basingstoke Festival of Transport
It was cancelled last year because of Covid. But this year the Basingstoke Festival of Transport is back in War Memorial Park on Sunday, August 22 from 11am until 4pm.
The free family day out will see 700 vehicles at the park including classic, vintage, commercial, fire engines, and military trucks.
There will also be a variety of specialist car clubs, trade stalls, and catering outlets.
Popley Splash Pad
It has been shut for more than a year because of Covid restrictions.
Now, Chineham Park Splash Pad, in Shakespeare Road, Popley is finally re-open for children to use.
The splash pad, run by the borough council, is completely free to access and offers children the chance to have fun in water if the weather is warm.
The splash pad is located inside Popley Park, so you could take a picnic to enjoy afterwards. The splash pad is open from 10am to 7pm every day until September.
Eastrop Park
As well as the paddling pool now being open, there are a host of other activities to enjoy in Eastrop Park, including a children’s playground and boating lake. Parking is also free in one of two council car parks.
Try a new park
You probably have your favourite children’s play parks which you visit regularly.
Most parents will be familiar with those close to home. Why not try venturing somewhere else in the town and try a different play park?
The borough council has a map pinpointing every play park in the borough, and with more than 150 across the town you could try a different one every day!
Visit https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/playareas.
Basing Woods
Sometimes it can be tough to persuade children to go out for a walk. Why not offer an incentive by combining a walk with a play park?
Basing Woods is a great location for this, with three walking trails to follow and a children’s play area.
There is free parking at Popley Community Centre. For more information visit https://www.forestryengland.uk/basing-wood.
Silchester Roman Wall and Amphitheatre
English Heritage site Silchester Roman Wall offers the chance to combine a walk with some added interest. There are various walks around the site which was a centre of the Iron Age Atrebates tribe from the late 1st century BC.
After the Roman conquest of AD 43 it became the large and important town of Calleva Atrebatum.
The complete circuit of the Roman walls, some of the best-preserved Roman town defences in England, and remains of the amphitheatre sill stand.
The site is free to visit, with several car parks nearby. For more information visit https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/silchester-roman-city-walls-and-amphitheatre/.
If you want to extend your visit, there is a children’s play park on the nearby Silchester Playing Field.
Basingstoke Town Trail
Take the Basingstoke Town Trail. The town has several sculptures and interesting historical points within walking distance of each other.
Print off a free guide here https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/heritage.
Have a picnic
It might sound obvious, but having a picnic is one of the simplest but most enjoyable ways to spend time with your family, and children will love the opportunity to be outside.
There are a variety of beautiful locations nearby, including Basingstoke Canal, which has the bonus of a refreshment kiosk.
Other areas in Basingstoke and Deane to enjoy a picnic:
• Crabtree plantation
• Eastrop Park, where there is also a free paddling pool
• Old Basing Common, where there is also a playground
• Beggarwood Park, where there is also an adventure playground with a zip-line
The Willis Museum
If the weather is rainy, visit The Willis Museum at the Top of The Town.
The free attraction has a permanent display upstairs as well as changing exhibitions downstairs.
The museum is also holding a variety of low-cost activities for children during the summer, including making a magical, mythical paper dragon puppet.
For more information about what’s on visit https://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/willis-museum-and-sainsbury-gallery.
Summer Reading Challenge
If your child is a booklover why not take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge?
With the 2021 theme set as Wile World Heroes, children can visit their local library throughout the holidays to take part in the nature themed challenge designed to inspire youngsters to stand up for the planet.
The challenge features amazing books, rewards, and plenty of ideas for taking care of our environment.
For more information visit https://www.hants.gov.uk/librariesandarchives/kids-zone/src2021.
Popham Airfield
Watch planes take off at Popham Airfield which is open seven days a week.
There is also a café with inside and outdoor seating as well as a children’s play park.
The airfield has various events taking place throughout August. For more information https://www.popham-airfield.co.uk/.
Watch trains
It’s a simple activity which costs nothing.
The bridge near Old Basing Common is perfect for watching trains roar underneath, and children can enjoy playing in the park afterwards.
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