The summer holidays are finally here, bringing six weeks of freedom for children - and six weeks of trying to find new ways to keep them entertained.
The good news is there's plenty happening in and around Calne over the coming weeks, whether your children enjoy animals, science, crafts, skateboarding, theatre or simply getting outdoors. There are also lots of free or low cost activities available.
Here's our guide to some of the best family-friendly events and days out this summer.
Calne Town Council has organised a range of activities throughout the holidays, beginning with visits from Farms 2 Ewe Petting Farm. Children can meet a variety of friendly animals during free drop-in sessions at the Recreation Ground between 10am and 2pm on Tuesday 28th July and Wednesday 5th August. There's no booking required – simply turn up.
Young explorers can get close to snakes, spiders, giant insects and other fascinating creatures when Tropical Discoveries visits Calne Town Hall on Friday 14th August. Tickets cost £5 plus a booking fee and should be booked in advance.
Fun Science returns with two interactive workshops at Calne Town Hall. Potions takes place on Tuesday 25th August, followed by Electricity on Wednesday 26th August, with separate sessions for younger and older children. Tickets are £5 plus booking fee.
For youngsters who love skateboarding or scooters, the popular Calne Summer Skatepark Sessions are back at the Skate Bowl on Station Road. Free coaching, equipment hire, games and competitions will run from 2.30pm to 5.30pm on 28th July, 4th August, 11th August, 18th August and 25th August for children aged five to 16.
The Pocket Park also has plenty planned. Families can enjoy an outdoor performance of Alice in Wonderland on Tuesday 28th July (tickets required), while chess afternoons return on Sunday 26th July and Sunday 30th August.
Sustainable Calne's Repair Café returns to Calne Town Hall on Saturday 2nd May from 10.30am until 2.30pm. Visitors can bring along bikes for free repairs (parts extra if required), as well as clothing for expert sewing repairs. There will also be a toy swap, plant swap or shop, advice on furniture and appliance repairs, and a café serving homemade cakes.
If you're looking for something quieter, Calne Library is once again taking part in The Reading Agency's Summer Reading Challenge, this year themed Read to the Beat. Children can join free of charge, borrow books over the summer and collect rewards as they complete the challenge.
There are plenty of free ways to enjoy the holidays too. Castlefields Park is always a great option for a run around or families looking for a gentle walk could explore the Calne Blue Plaque Trail or follow the Horsebrook Nature Trail alongside the River Marden.
Over at Beversbrook Sports & Community Facility, children aged one to 10 can enjoy Arts & Crafts and Bouncy Castle mornings on Tuesday 4th August and Tuesday 11th August from 10am until noon. Sessions cost £5 and advance booking is recommended.
Calne Tennis Club is also running its popular Summer Tennis Camps for children aged five to 15, with coaching, games and match play taking place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays during alternate weeks of the holidays.
One of the highlights of August will be the return of John Lawson's Circus, which pitches up at Beversbrook between 20th and 23rd August. Families can save £5 on adult tickets and £2 on children's tickets using the code JLC26 (excluding special offer days).
Just a short trip away, Chippenham has plenty to offer too. John Coles Park remains a favourite with its large playground, open spaces and popular Splash Pad - ideal if the weather stays hot. During the summer there are also free Sunday afternoon concerts at the bandstand.
Chippenham Museum is free to visit throughout the holidays and is running free drop-in creative sessions every Tuesday and Thursday from 28th July until 27th August, with activities inspired by its summer exhibition. Themes include butterflies, mythical creatures, mosaics and glittering creations. The museum is also holding a free Astronomy Day on 1st August, although booking is required for some activities.
If rain interrupts your plans, Reel Cinema is offering Family Summer Savings with discounted children's tickets, family ticket deals and a selection of family films throughout the school holidays.
Families willing to travel a little further have even more choice. Avebury's Summer of Play returns with traditional games, puppet theatre, crafts and garden activities, while the Festival of Archaeology on 28th July includes sandpit digs, clay tablet decorating and hands-on history sessions.
At Lacock Abbey, children can enjoy den building, giant games, woodland adventures, mud pie making and barefoot walks as part of this year's Summer of Play, alongside Pokémon-themed activities, Wiltshire Scrapstore workshops and a mobile climbing wall.
The REME Museum at Lyneham is also expected to run family activities and workshops during the holidays, while Wiltshire Scrapstore's Summer Holiday Art Club in Lacock returns with weekly themes including Fun in the Sun, Space and Aliens, Minibeasts and Butterflies, Under the Sea and Pirates. Sessions cost £9.50 per child and must be booked in advance.
Of course, not every day has to involve organised events.
The Big Butterfly Count is a great free activity that only takes 15 minutes and helps scientists monitor butterfly populations across the UK. Children could also go on a bug hunt, identify birds in the garden or create a nature collage using leaves and flowers collected on a walk.
If the sun is shining, pack a picnic and visit a different park each week, or get creative with pavement chalks outside the house. On wetter days, build a den in the living room, bake together, organise a board game tournament or create a scrapbook filled with holiday memories.
Older children might enjoy trying geocaching, creating a short film on a smartphone or setting themselves a photography challenge around Calne.
Know of another family-friendly event taking place in or around Calne this summer? We'd love to hear about it. Email
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