July is upon us and School will officially be “Out!”. While we all relish the gorgeous Summer weather, those among us with kids have the testing at times task of keep them entertained for almost 2 months.
Well, if you struggle looking for fun activities and adventurous days out – look no further than our handy ‘School’s Out’ guide.
Let the fun and madness begin!
THEATRE WORKSHOPS & CAMPS
Kids can step into the world of Theatre with lots of fantastic ‘Yvonne Arnaud Creative Camps and Workshops’ over the Summer holidays, to suit any budding thespian, whatever age.
We love the sound of their 2-Day immersive ‘Movie-Themed Drama Workshop’ starting on Monday 28th July to Tuesday 29th July. Attendees, aged 7-11, will use drama and exercises to create original movie characters and develop engaging pieces of script. They will also be taught to devise and perform their own blockbuster trailer and explore the role of the director, costume and set designer. Exciting!
Or from Wednesday 30th July to Thursday 7th August, the fun-filled ‘Magical Tales Workshop’ will help kids aged 5-7 get involved in drama games, movement, colouring, craft, music, dressing-up and general silliness and giggles.
All Yvonne Arnaud’s Camps and Workshops this Summer 2025 support young people to work collaboratively, get creative and have fun.
If you want to view a great live show, we can wholeheartedly recommend Watershed Productions’ mesmerising production of the hugely entertaining ‘The Singing Mermaid’ at Yvonne Arnaud from Wednesday 20th August to Sunday 24th August.
This enchanting story follows the Singing Mermaid who is tempted away to join a travelling circus, with the promise of a life of excitement – and her own swimming pool! The audiences love her singing but she soon finds out she’s been tricked by the dastardly circus master, then she starts to realise will she ever escape?
With three amazing performers, enchanting puppets and music and songs by Barb Jungr this show is a perfect treat for all the family. This play is based on the original book ‘The Singing Mermaid’ written by Julia Donaldson.
The Guardian reviewed the show saying, “This is a fun warm-hearted adventure that will leave you humming its songs and wanting to hug a seagull!”
www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
AIRHOP ADVENTURE
AirHop is situated in a purpose built 30,000 square foot jumping haven in Guildford, Surrey offering over 50 interconnected trampolines spanning the floor and even up the walls.
There is also an Obstacle Course, Wipeout, AirHop Bag, Extreme Dodge Attack Court, Slam Dunk and AR Trampolines – a great day out for the whole family. Walk through their doors into a bounce enthusiast’s paradise – whether you’re 5 or 55, you’ll leave with a big smile on your face.
Go for their Standard Jump including ages 4+ and allows access to all areas of the park. For kids aged 6 months to 6 years, you can put a big smile on a little face during Mini Hopper Takeovers, where little ones jump to their heart’s content in a fun and safe environment, including sensory toys and the ever so popular bubble time.
Or you can experience the park in a cool party vibe with AirHop’s 2-hour Sunset Session every Friday and Saturday evening for only £19.95 per person.
Prices start from £14.95 (if booked online before – otherwise it’s £15.95 if you turn up on the day) for a Standard Jump which lasts an hour or its £23.95 for a two-hour jump session. Make sure you arrive early as waivers need to be filled out and trampoline socks with grips purchased if you don’t already have.
There is free, on-site parking at AirHop Guildford and a café and viewing gallery for snacks and watching the kids wear themselves out in the park if you are not already in there with them parents!
www.airhop-guildford.com
TOP THEME PARKS
Without a doubt one of the best theme parks in the UK is Thorpe Park, which is right on our doorstep just off the M25 Junction 11 in Chertsey.
There are now over 25 epic rides at Thorpe Park including the UK’s tallest and weightless rollercoaster ‘Hyperia’, the infamous ‘Stealth’, a hydraulic coaster propelling you from 0-80 miles per hour in less than 2 seconds and ‘Collossus’, the first 10 loop rollercoaster. Or cool off on the UK’s wettest water rides by plunging 85ft on ‘Tidal Wave’ or you can race mates down the exhilarating ‘Depth Charge’.
There are also interactive shows, arcades and a kids section of the theme park for younger guests. Best advised for children aged 10 and up – as the rides are not for the faint hearted and there is a minimum height restriction set at 140cm for the larger rollercoasters. Under 3’s go free at Thorpe Park so if you have little ones you won’t be charged when you take them with your older kids.
Chessington World of Adventures may be your best option for kids aged 6 plus who want to take in great rollercoasters or the Zoo for viewing animals yet not be limited by height restrictions. Chessington World of Adventures consists of over 10 Themed lands from ‘Wild Asia’ to ‘Wanyama’ and the new ‘Jumanji World’. Please note sadly the ‘Paw Patrol Land’ scheduled for 2025, will not be opening till Spring 2026 now.
For smaller children aged 3 plus try nearby Legoland in Windsor where there a host of rides and activities for your brood. New this Summer 2025 is a submarine experience at the popular ‘Lego City Deep Sea Adventure’ and their classic ‘Legoland Express’ ride has been refreshed with 23 scenes for guests to enjoy. There is also a new ‘Water Play Area’ with slides and a tipping Duplo bucket, perfect for cooling down on those hot Summer days.
www.thorpepark.com
www.chessington.com
KIDS CINEMA DEALS
Go to the flicks for £6 or less! Nova Cinema in Woking are showing the latest memory-making movies, from Princesses to Superheroes and everything in between, for half the price of normal cinema screenings for families this Summer 2025.
‘Nova Kids’ brings you the best family-friendly films at family-friendly prices. You can take the whole family for under £30. Films start at 11am every Saturday and Sunday morning.
‘A Minecraft Movie’ is showcasing at ‘Nova Kids’ from July 19th to August 27th. ‘The Lego Movie’ is on from July 20th to July 30th or ‘Sonic The Hedgehog 3’ starts on July 21st and ends its run on July 29th. August sees ‘Mufasa – The Lion King’ from August 3rd to August 29th.
Or go and visit Nova Cinema for ‘Nova Tots’, with screenings for the tiniest viewers in mind! Lights are brighter and the sound is lower. Exclusively for parents or carers with babies 18 months or younger.
You only need to purchase tickets for the adults attending the screening. ‘Nova Tots’ screenings take place every Friday and will be chosen from their current programme of films. The film will have an attribute tag to show which film is this week’s pick.
Recently refurbished, Nova Cinema features 7 innovative screening rooms with over 900 seats, including a luxury screening room with reclining seats, spacious foyer and dining area, plus a versatile media suite.
Offering cutting-edge 4K laser projection, Dolby Atmos sound, a dedicated wi-fi network and luxurious seating, it provides the perfect setting for an exceptional cinematic experience which is fun for all the family.
www.novacinema.com
FUNKY FOOD FESTIVALS
Bookham Food Festival, on Saturday 6th September, sees amazing street food, live cooking demonstrations and engaging discussions on nutrition, health, and wellbeing for the whole family. The 2025 chef line-up includes Joe Hurd (BBC Saturday Kitchen), Silvana Franco (Daily Telegraph) and Tom Whitaker (Masterchef, Tempus Foods).
Visitors can also browse local artisan products at the Festival Market and enjoy a range of drinks from the fully stocked bars. The BFF DJs will play mix of funk, soul and reggae throughout the day and into the evening. The organisers of the event (now in its fourth year) are all volunteers from the local community.
FeastyFest in Cheam has grown to be the largest food festival in Surrey, this year over 2 days of food, music and fun on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September. The award-winning festival entices families to enjoy food and learn and understand where it comes from, while inspiring children to try new things.
There is also a festival experience with music from leading bands like Scouting For Girls, Symphonic Ibiza and tribute acts including Oasiz, 24K Bruno Mars, Hells Bells and Bob Marley The Legend.
You can also check out the Farmer’s Market, craft and wellbeing stalls, Kidzone and FeastyFest’s specialist talks and tastings with the likes of ‘Dragon’s Den’ winner Levi Roots and acclaimed Surrey chef, Renu B.
PAINTBALL & LASER TAG
From the timid to the brave-hearted, everyone can find their style with paintball. With the help of Campaign Paintball’s friendly instructors, children will build confidence and learn to work and communicate with others – all whilst having fun and exercise in the fresh air of their beautiful 100-acre forest in Cobham, Surrey.
Battles take place within ten film-set game maps. What could be better than fighting your way through acres of trenches, military vehicles, a Call of Duty zone or a wild-west cowboy town with your friends?
There is Mini Paintball for kids aged 8-10, Junior Paintball for kids aged 11-15 and Adult for 16 and above. If you are worried about your kids getting hurt – there is a new low-impact paintball available or laser tag paintball.
The sessions last roughly for 4 hours with multiple games played and a break for lunch. Small or large groups are welcome, and with safety a top priority, children are carefully supervised throughout the day.
Campaign Paintball have an excellent safety record and an enviable reputation for organising great days out with over 30 years experience in the business.
www.campaign-paintball.com
INFLATABLE FUN
Thorpe Lakes in Chertsey and Liquid Leisure in Shepperton – both run fantastic Aqua Parks suitable for children of any age. These giant inflatable obstacle courses are great fun and won’t break the bank either at approximately £20 for an hour session. There are also sessions for children under 13, over 13 and adults as well as tiny tot sessions for kids under 6.
The inflatables are great fun and good exercise too. They include slides, swings, trampolines, climbing frames, hanging monkey bars and obstacles to race through.
At Thorpe Lakes, once you have paid your entry you can stay and enjoy the facilities such as a man-made beach, swimming and great food and drink at the newly built café area on site.
Both these venues also offer watersports and lessons too so if you want to make a day of it you can sign up for waterskiing and wakeboarding. Prices range from £65pp for a lesson consisting of 2 x 15 minute one-on-one sessions with an instructor.
After the lessons you can take part in the group cable experience from approximately £21 per hour. This comes with use of a wakeboard, wetsuit and helmet. Great fun whilst also learning a great new skill and sport. Both venues also run supervised Summer Camps so if you want to drop off and collect the kids while you work there is a full day of activities including lunch.
www.thorpelakeswatersports.co.uk
www.windsor.liquidleisure.com
GET INTO GOLF
No golfing ability? No problem! Topgolf is a game that seasoned golfers or total novices can play. Topgolf only has 4 centres in the UK – and luckily for us there is one based in Addlestone, Surrey.
You can have up to 6 players in a booth and you score points by hitting micro-chipped golf balls at giant dartboard-like targets on an outfield. The closer you get your ball to the centre or the ‘bullseye’ and the further the distance, the more points you earn.
You play using proper golf clubs and it is a great way to take up golf in a fun environment as it all digitally scored so you can just get on and enjoy playing the game. Or have fun laughing at those in your party that can’t!
If you have a few families for a day out – you can get two adjacent bays so 12 of you can play together.
It is worth noting that it is a lot easier to get the balls further on the top tier so always best to request an upstairs booth area if you are with beginners.
The fun and games don’t stop there either; there is arcades and a bar and restaurant on site so you indulge in delicious food and drinks brought to you while you play.
You can also book in and enjoy a game of Footgolf on site at the Addlestone Meadow Farm site.
www.topgolf.com
