Summer Holiday Activities

Thu 7 Jul 2016

We’ve got stacks of things to keep the kids entertained this summer. Here’s a selection of what is happening across Derby city between Sunday the 24th July and Sunday the 4th September.

Unleash your adventurous side at Springwood Leisure Centre

Aspiring James Bonds and MI5 agents alike will be able to join Springwood’s mission to unscramble anagrams, open padlocks, solve puzzles, fire rockets, blast targets, search for clues, defuse bombs and complete top secret missions in Spy Camp. Sessions take place on Monday 1, 8, 15 and 22 August for 9am – 12 noon. Appropriate for ages 8-11, sessions cost £7.95.

Youngsters ages 7 and above can exert all their energy in the new craze hitting the country. Bubble football allows participants to play football inside a zorbing ball, children can run into and bounce off each other in this fun, modern day game of football. Session will take place on the outdoor courts at Springwood Leisure Centre on Saturday 6 and 20 August for 11am – 12 noon, for a cost of £10.

To find out more about Springwood Leisure Centre’s holiday programme, please call 01332 664433 or visit derby.gov.uk/holiday.

Make a splash at Queens Leisure Centre

Grab some floats, friends and family, and have fun in this splash session in whatever depth water is right for you, ideal for all ages and abilities. Available in the gala pool on Saturdays 2 – 4pm and Sundays 1 – 4pm, and under 8’s are welcome to use the teaching pool on Saturdays 2 – 4pm and Sundays 9am – 2pm. Adult and child sessions are also available for under 5’s on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 noon – 1pm.

If you would like your children to learn to swim or improve their swimming skills lessons take place throughout the year. All swimming teachers are ASA Level 2 qualified, children can join at any time and parents can view their children’s progress online. Lessons start from £5.25.

For more information on holiday activities at Queen’s Leisure Centre, please call 01332 641444 or visit derby.gov.uk/holiday. More information on swimming lessons is available here

Grab your helmet for some adrenaline-charged action

Bring the family and try a track cycling session. No specialist equipment is needed and the bike and helmet is provided. It is advised that all participants wear trainers.

Family track taster sessions for ages 9 and above take will take place on Mondays from 9.30 – 10.30am. For 1 adult and 1 child, it costs £18; 1 adult and 2 children £28; and 2 adults and 2 children, £38. Youth beginners between the ages of 9-15 can take to the track in the youth beginners sessions on Fridays from 9.30 – 10.30am. No previous track experience is necessary but participants must be capable of riding a bike, for a cost of £10. For those youngsters who have experience on Derby Arena track, intermediate sessions are available on Fridays from 11am – 1pm for £20. To book and find out more information on the holiday activities at Derby Arena, please call 01332 640011 or email derbyarena@derby.gov.uk

Take part in the big friendly read

The challenge is to read six books during the summer holidays. From Saturday 16 July – Saturday 17 September, all children aged 4 – 11 are invited to join any Derby City library to start their exciting journey. More information is available by visiting derby.gov.uk/libraries

Show your wild side at Markeaton Park

Markeaton Park can boast various refurbishments and improvements to the park to cater for the entertainment of children, families and friends. This Summer is set to be a big one for the friendly team as they provide food, drinks, activities and exercise for everyone.

Do not miss the impressive high ropes adventure course, with high and low aerial treks, zipwires, powerfan decender and climbs, open from 10.30am – 4.30pm daily. For more information and to book, please visit closertotheedge.co.uk.

Derby LIVE bring summer to the stage

Enjoy outdoor cinema screenings in August, presented by Derby LIVE, Derby Parks and QUAD. Enjoy the all-time classic Ghost (12A), a combination of romance, comedy and drama, making the film unmissable on the big screen on Friday 12 August at 9pm.

Followed by the new and greatly anticipated sequel of Star Wars: The Force Awakens (12A) on Saturday 13 August at 9pm. Both screenings take place at Markeaton Park Craft Village and tickets for both screenings cost £13.

Please note that these outdoor performances take place on hard standing ground and customers must provide their own seating. Tickets are available here or by calling 01332 255800.

Aspiring actors will be delighted to know that the Summer Theatre School will be returning to the Guildhall Theatre this summer, bought to Derby by Enchanted Entertainment. The week-long workshop will run from 9am – 5pm daily from Monday 15 – Friday 20 August, and will incorporate song and dance routines from a variety of well-known West End and Broadway musicals.

The Summer School is for youngsters aged 8 – 16, for anyone of any ability or experience. The week-long Summer School workshop costs £140 and culminates with a final performance for friends and family of the students on Saturday 21 August. More information and tickets are available here or by calling 01332 255800.