With the children off school and the sun making an appearance (occasionally) the chances to enjoy the outdoors are many. Of course the cost of activities during the summer months can prove expensive and there's only so many times you can take the children to the local playground.
Free activities are like the Golden Ticket to Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory - You feel like you've won before you even get there!
The ParkLives programme run by Coca-Cola Great Britain is that Golden Ticket, especially during the school holidays when they have lots of free activities in parks around your local area. In parks across Nottingham you can find activities for all the family, some are one-off opportunities and others run weekly.
One-off activities
Monday 8th August - You vs Wall Challenge at Southglade Park 13:00-15:00
The You vs Wall Challenge is a tennis challenge. If you don't have a partner for tennis pop to Southglade Park and attempt the You vs Wall Challenge, you could win a tennis racquet!
Wednesday 10th August - You vs Wall Challenge at Forest Recreation Ground 12:30 - 14:30
Wednesday 17th August - Pond Dipping at Vernon Park 13:00 - 15:00
Discover the variety of life that lives in your local pond!
Weekly activities
Mondays
Orienteering Challenge 13:00 - 15:00
Bullwell Hall on 8th August
Forest Recreation Ground on 15th August
Wollaton Park on 22nd August
The orienteering challenge is at a different park every week, be sure to check the ParkLives website. Find out if you can navigate your way around the park, be timed and get yourself on the league board or just pop by for some outdoor fun!
Basketball 16:00 - 17:00
Clifton Playing Fields
Aimed at beginners and returners. Learn to play basketball, have some fun, and meet new people.
Buggy Fitness 10:00 - 11:00 / 12:00 - 13:00
Bulwell Bogs / Strelley Recreation Ground
New mums can squeeze some fitness into their busy lives with this one hour session, you may even make some new mum friends!
Tuesdays
Family Tennis 10:00 - 11:00
Southglade Park
A coach is on hand to help you and your family learn to play or improve your skills so you can have a fun time playing tennis together.
Get into Golf 18:30 - 19:30
Wollaton Hall Gardens and Deer Park
All the kit is provided for you to try out golf with the coaches and learn how to play. This is one the Hubby wants to try!
Family Rounders 16:00 - 17:00
Clifton Central Park
Get the whole family involved in a game of rounders in the park. All abilities and ages welcome with coaches on hand to help if you don't know how to play.
Wednesdays
Get into Golf 12:30 - 14:00 or 18:30 - 19:30
Woodthorpe Grange Park
Meant for beginners.
Family Rounders 12:00 - 13:00
Wollaton Hall Gardens and Deer Park
Thursdays
Get into Golf 18:30 - 19:30
Wollaton Hall Gardens and Deer Park
Fridays
Health Walk 10:00 - 11:30
Wollaton Hall Gardens and Deer Park
Beginners can start their fitness regime or simply try to get a little healthier with this easy walk around Wollaton Park.
Health Walk 10:30 - 12:00
Victoria Embankment
Saturdays
Family Tennis 10:00 - 11:00
Vernon Park
Get into Golf 11:00 - 12:30
Bullwell Hall Park
Sundays
Nordic Walking 10:30 - 11:30
Wollaton Hall Gardens and Deer Park
Aimed at beginners with sticks provided this walk will help you turn your walks into workouts!
All the activities listed are free and if you check out the ParkLives website you'll find many more activities listed. Simply choose one, take your kids along, and have some fun. My boys and I might try out some orienteering during the holidays!
I'd love to hear if you've attended any of the sessions and how you got on.