Don't Forget

Most parents will be hard pushed to forget that July brings the start of the school holidays! If you dread the inevitable sound of your kids telling you how bored they are, here’s some low cost ideas for days out that should keep them entertained. 

I think the best thing about summer is spending time in the great British outdoors and you really don’t need to spend a fortune to have a good day out, if you know where to look. There are hundreds of free and low cost events held every summer around the UK that are guaranteed to keep both the kids and the young at heart happy. Here’s my selection of some of the best events that are being held this month, where entrance is either very affordable or entirely free. 

Sunderland International Airshow
Sat 24^th – Sun 25^th July 2010

This two day event is the largest free airshow in Europe and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. You’ll have the chance to watch aerial displays from the likes of the Red Arrows, along with parachute display teams, vintage aircraft and front line jets. On the ground, don’t miss the action packed arena programme on Cliffe Park, and there’s aircraft related exhibitions and even flight simulators, so you can try your hand at being a pilot too. Chocks away!

Hastings Annual Model Airshow
Sat 24^th – Sun 25^th July 2010

Further south you can watch displays by aircraft on a slightly smaller scale at the Hastings Model Airshow. This annual event features a huge number of remote controlled aircraft piloted by enthusiasts from all across Europe. You’ll be able to see aerial displays from model aircraft ranging from fighter planes from the first world war era to modern typhoon jets flying at over 200mph! This is a great day out for kids, who are bound to love the Toffee Bomber that ‘bombs’ the show with sweets. Ticket are £6 for adults, £4 for kids/OAPs or £15 for the whole family.

Croydon Summer Festival and Mela
Sat 31^st July – Sun 1^st August 2010

Billed as London’s ‘best free festival’, this year’s Croydon Summer Festival and Mela features performances from the The Lightning Seeds, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, The Damned and plenty of other dance, world and jazz music acts. As well as 3 music stages, the entertainments include street theatre, flamenco and beatbox workshops, a tug ‘o’ war match, funfair and a kids area with a programme of activities guaranteed to keep them amused throughout the day. 

The National Eisteddfod of Wales
31^st July – 7^th August 2010 

If you live in Wales, the annual National Eisteddfod is not to be missed. Attracting over 160,000 visitors a year, this is a travelling festival that visits areas in north and south Wales alternately. This year’s is being held in the Ebbw Vale and promises an eclectic mix of culture, music, arts and activities for all the family. All the entertainment take place in various Pavilions including a Dance pavilion, a Literary pavilion and even a Science and Technology pavilion, which promises to feature record breaking attempts, fun chemistry experiments and science competitions for the kids. Day tickets are £16 for adults, £9 for teenagers, £3 for under twelves and under threes get in free.

Wheels Littlehampton
Sat 31^st July – Sun 1^st August 2010 

Are you interested in anything with a wheel from a unicycle upwards? Then you need to be at Wheels! Held on Littlehampton Seafront, this event features everything on wheels from classic and vintage cars, motorbikes, BMX stunt teams and even skateboards and rollerskates. Best of all, it’s  entirely free, so get your skates on and head to Littlehampton on 31^st July – it’s a wheely good day out!