Family Fun, Things to do this weekend (21/22 June 2014)

This weekend is looking to be a scorcher weather wise so below are some ideas to inspire you to get outdoors (but we also have some indoor ideas) to help all of our readers have a fabulous, fun packed family weekend.

Saturday

RSPB Big Wild Sleepoutsleepout

The RSPB are raising money for their organisation and are holding their annual Sleepout this weekend.  There may still be time to get a hold of their free Sleep out pack here http://www.rspb.org.uk/thingstodo/sleepout/.  The event can be held at home or at a campsite, you choose.  The idea behind it is to get families outside in the great outdoors, spending the together and exploring (and most importantly toasting marshmallows).  Across the north west there are a number of organised sleep outs most have a number of activities arranged which are included in their costs.   Places which are holding the event range from Sizergh Castle in the Lakes to Chorlton Water Park.  The Sleep out in Lancashire is at the Scouts headquarters in Flyde.  Details are here: http://www.rspb.org.uk/events/details.aspx?id=tcm:9-259724  They have loads of activities ranging from bat walks to bush craft.  Just bring along a tent and your other camping gear.  It sounds fab!  I would have loved to have attended as it would be a great atmosphere for the children to experience coupled with great camping weather.  Remember booking is required!  The prices are quite reasonable too, e.g. the event mentioned above in Flyde is £27.50 for a family, which includes participation in the activities that have been organised.

Barnaby Festival

This quickly festival has been long-standing tradition in Macclesfield ‘s history and the event has occurred since the 13th Century.  Here is further details about the event http://www.barnabyfestival.org.uk/.  The actual event runs over a two week period but this weekend is the big weekend and there are lots of different activities and events running throughout the weekend.  The highlight for me are the street science displays, the carnival parade and the trapeze skills displays.  It sounds like a great day out and I believe the wider range of experiences we give to our children, the more well rounded they will be.  Here are the links to the events on Saturday (http://www.barnabyfestival.org.uk/events?tid=11&tid_1=21) and Sunday (http://www.barnabyfestival.org.uk/events?tid=11&tid_1=22) aimed at children.  For a different type of experience which will inspire your children, this event is not to be missed,

Baby Art

Manchester Art Gallery, hold monthly sensory exploration sessions for families with babies who aren’t walking yet.  The sessions are free and the Saturday sessions are drop in so don’t need to be booked.  Having visited for the art sessions aimed at toddlers, these sessions are great and allow you to really engage in different activities  especially younger children. http://www.manchestergalleries.org/families/baby-art-club/

Amazing Fossils

Saddleworth Museum, Oldham have organised a prehistoric fun session between 11-3:00 to allow children to have hands on experience with taking part in activities such as making fossils, landscapes, minerals.  The cost is £2.50 per child (money is in aid of the museum) Adults are free. https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/Rockwatch-Saddleworth-Museum

Summer solstice

This Saturday marks the Summer solstice and there is going to be a celebration on at Chorlton in Manchester.  The event organisers have said it will be “hands on” affair with guests being invited to take part in music, performance and arts workshops.  There will be circus performers, drummers and live music at night.  The event is running from 12pm – 12am.  with the children’s rides and workshops running from midday until 5pm.  There will be BBQ on at the green.  Sounds like fun, especially for the party animals out there. http://horseandjockeychorlton.com/whats-on?aid=4391

Catch the Wind Kite festivalkites

This events attracts hundreds of people to Morecambe Central promenade ever year and will be running over both Saturday and Sunday. There will be fantastic kite flying displays, street performers, arts and craft activities for children.  Ideal weather for kite flying too which is 1 of the 50things that children should do before they are 11!  http://local.mumsnet.com/lancashire/festivals/232164-catch-the-wind-kite-festival

Lytham Art Festival

There are a number of events occurring across the town over the week long fesitival, further details can be found here http://local.mumsnet.com/lancashire/festivals/228202-lytham-arts-festival and events information here http://www.lythamartsfestival.org/events-calendar.html Even though children are allowed in most exhibitions the events more aimed for families are Sue Allonby telling stories, teaching French to young children (these are on Sunday) and Turbary Woods will be bringing their owls along to Lytham Square for everyone to admire!  A little bit of culture coupled with a picnic and some sandcastles will be a great day out.

fruitPick your own fruit

We have taken our children fruit picking and they have loved it.  Prices are usually cheaper then the shops and with free entry you only pay for what you buy and it makes for a fab, fun day out.  Farms are usually opened on both days at the weekend but I would recommend getting there on Saturday to make sure that the fruit has not all been picked.  Also I recommend a quick call before you set off as Poynton Farm last weekend they closed the fields on Sunday as so many people visited and picked most of the fruit on Saturday.  There are a number of farms across the north west who do offer the pick your own.  Here are the options: http://www.pickyourownfarms.org.uk/uknorthwest_pyo.php  But the two I follow on facebook and we visited the second last year are Poynton Farm, Stockport http://www.poyntonfruitfarm.co.uk/and Kenyon Hall, Warrigton http://www.kenyonhall.co.uk/CurrentAvailability/Fruit aside the ice cream they sell was really yummy!!

Great British Tennis Weekend

With Tennis fever about to grip the country, humdreds of tennis clubs over the country are holding a number of open days to allow youngsters to have a go at the sport.  It looks like a great event and there’s a number of clubs throughout the country who are getting involved.  As a free event it would be great to give it a go.  Who knows we may have the next Andy Murray in our midst.  http://www.lta.org.uk/News/2014/April/21-04-14/Great-British-Tennis-Weekend-2014-/

Sunday

Manchester Dayparade

Manchester Day is an event to celebrate everything that is great about the city.  Having lived and worked in Manchester for 6 years, I love the city and this event promises to be a fab day out for the family.  Over 2000 participants will out in full force, bringing colour, incredible sound and movement to the city centre. The flagship attraction is the fantastic parade which takes place through the city centre.  Last years parade was incredible and had such an array of different floats it really was breathtaking.  There will be lots of side attractions (use the link below to show what other events are on) and going off the success of last years event, this one will be bigger!  Just be aware that this event was really busy last year so make sure you keep the kiddies close by.  Full details here http://manchesterday.co.uk/

Whatever you get up this weekend we hope you have a great time.  If you do any of the activities, then please share your pictures, we would love to see them!

Nisbah

I am a traveller, mother and blogger. We love to go on adventures (big and small, near and far) and strive to show our children how amazing and beautiful the world is! I caught the travel bug many moons ago and despite having three little adventurers, I still suffer from "itchy" feet. We love the great outdoors and one another. Come and join the fun :)

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3 Responses

  1. Saiqa shabir says:

    Hi I will be attending the pyo fruit in ploy tin thanks to you Nisbah it’s on my very door step I also want to go to check out the kites so will go there too this weekend thanks for the great tips

    • nisbah says:

      Saiqa, glad to help! 🙂 hope you have fantastic days out! Post pictures from your weekend on our Facebook page/twitter feed so we can share them. Thanks for reading.

  1. June 25, 2014

    […] Bring your children along and meet the wonderful ponies at Croft Riding Centre.  Each child aged over 4 years old will be given a free riding lesson with the qualified instructors from the centre.  Booking is essential and the contact information is here.  The horse riding session could be coupled with a pick your own fruit side trip to Kenyon Hall Farm (https://fiveadventurers.com/family-fun-things-to-do-this-weekend-2122-june-2014/) […]

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