Hello Summer! Activities for children under 5.
With warmer and longer days well under way, we know many parents, caregivers and families will be planning what to do with their children as the Summer break approaches.
For the little ones, it’s a time to just be a kid and enjoy the sunshine (fingers crossed!)
For parents and caregivers, it’s a period of quality time spent with youngsters, making memories and enjoying some down time too… (fingers AND toes crossed!)
As we countdown to the holidays, we’ve rounded up a list of upcoming events, workshops and days out for children under 5 and their families throughout July and August.
Summer Early Years timetable – all Summer
It may be the Summer break but there is still loads to do for children under 5 and their caregivers. You can access the new Summer timetables for children’s centres across Wallasey, Birkenhead and South and West Wirral here: wirral.gov.uk/cc
Click the link for each children’s centre to see their individual Summer timetables online.
Free Summer family fun days – July & August
Run by Wirral Children’s Centres, families can enjoy a series of ‘fun days’, with activities aimed at children under 5. The events will take place across the borough, are completely FREE and older siblings are welcome too.
Family fun days will take place on the following dates and times:
-
Wednesday 26 July 10 to 11:30am Seacombe Children's Centre
-
Wednesday 9 August 10:30am to 12pm The Walled Garden, Central Park, Wallasey
-
Wednesday 16 August 10:30am to 12pm Birkenhead Park Visitors Centre
-
Thursday 24 August 10:30am to 12pm New Ferry Village Hall
Trolls Birthday Party - Tuesday 18 July
After the success of last year’s event, families of children under 5 are invited to celebrate another birthday party for everybody’s favourite friend in Birkenhead Park - the Birkenhead Park Troll!
The Birkenhead Park Story Trail was created and launched in August 2021 as part of the Hungry Little Minds campaign. Last year, families gathered to celebrated Birkenhead Park’s 175th birthday, and this year is no different!
This year’s event, taking place on 18 July from 10am-12pm, will include a morning of crafts, entertainment and a self-guided story trail. There will also be information stalls available and families are invited to bring their own picnic. The event will be based at Birkenhead Park Visitor Centre.
As part of a free self-guided story trail, families can follow the adventures of Uncle Josh, Mia, Kai and their little dog Scruffy as they explore the Park to find a family of Trolls who live under the bridges.
You can find more information and a link to download the Story Trail via the Foundation Years Trust website
If you can’t download one, you can pick one up on the day.
Family Toolbox workshop – Tuesday 18 July
The Foundation Years Trust will run a workshop to promote the Family Toolbox and ask: What does family life look like on Wirral?
Families are welcome to take part in an interactive workshop, taking place at the same time and place as the Troll’s birthday party.
There will be a free goody bag for every family who takes part as well as activities for the little ones to enjoy.
Summer Rhyme Challenge – all Summer
Throughout the summer, families can take part in an interactive challenge designed to support their little one’s speech and language development – while singing some of their favourite songs!
As part of the Summer Rhyme Challenge, families will sing rhymes from the challenge at weekly sessions in their venue of choice and collect a sticker for their very own Rhyme Time Challenge booklet, each time they learn a new rhyme. Once all five stickers are collected, they will receive a certificate.
The sessions will be an opportunity to enjoy sharing songs and rhymes together with your little one, promote communication and language development and improve listening and social skills too.
Sessions will be run at the following venues/groups:
-
Early Explorers groups and pop-up groups in the summer, run by the Foundation Years Trust
-
Baby Bounce and Rhyme sessions in Wirral Libraries
-
By children’s centres in their groups
Families should check with the different organisations where the groups are being held. Alternatively, you can call your local children’s centre and ask.
