Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
After school activities for children in Dorset
Updated: 1/5/2015
To polish off a stimulating day at school children can embark on an energising pursuit after school, and also at weekends! Primary Times has been investigating some of the best options available locally...
Swing on by to play at Lemur Landings this autumn
Balmy days of summer now give way to the season of mists and rain! So why not move your play dates indoors to the huge soft play centre on Tower Park, Lemur Landings? There’s loads of space for your little lemurs to run about, leap, climb and explore. Lemur Landings is perfect for mum’s meet ups (or dads, grandmas or grandpas) and is a brilliant place for parties as it’s great value and there is no clearing up to do either! Toddlers can get stuck in to the WOW toys play arena – where little fingers and imaginations can run wild and the best value for regular visitors is to join Lewey’s Troop which offers a great discount to the play centre and Splashdown Waterpark every time you visit – plus there are other benefits too. Lemur Landings is open every day from 9.30am until 6pm (except Christmas and Boxing Day and some special events). Find out more on the website www.lemurlandings.co.uk or give the friendly team a call on 01202 740500.
Music tuition courses for children of all ages
The Coda Music Trust has developed exciting new music tuition courses that are open to children of all ages, abilities and needs. The courses include Baby Ballet, Coda Music Toddlers, Coda Music Tots, Coda Music Minors and Majors, tuition for home school children, new drum and piano tuition and a new weekend vocal group. The aim of the Coda Music Trust is to make music accessible to everyone regardless of age, health or wealth. You will find the Coda Music Centre in Chewton Farm Road, Walkford, Christchurch or for more information call 01425 276 161
Street Dance Classes and theatre at Pavilion Dance
Pavilion Dance South West, Bournemouth’s national dance centre has added a brand new after school Street Dance class to their programme for kids aged 5-9 where they will learn popping, locking and breaking moves. The classes will run from 5pm on Wednesday 11 September and will continue weekly. Classes cost £5 per week on a drop in basis although advance booking is recommended.
Also (arranged by Pavilion Dance South West) on Sunday 29 September, theatre company Gobbledegook will take young audiences and their families on a fun and interactive journey through an enchanted forest. ‘In A Deep Dark Wood’ is a show about a little girl who bravely ventures into a dark and mysterious wood. The young audience help to create a magical world using shadow and light to guide the little girl through her adventure. For more information call 01202 203630 or visit www.pdsw.org.uk
Prompt Corner achieves outstanding dance exam results
Prompt Corner now in its 6th year continues to grow and has earned the reputation of achieving outstanding results in exams and at the All England Dance Competitions. Pupils have also been successful having been accepted at the Royal Ballet and Tring Park Associate programmes. They have been involved in professional theatre, local pantomime roles and also within the film industry. The school aims to encourage its students to reach their maximum potential within a friendly and caring environment. Classes are offered in Ballet, Tap, Modern/Jazz and Adult Pilates from beginners to advanced pupils. To reserve a place and for a free trial class call 07757 259199 or email promptcorner@gmail.com.
Big Little offers free ‘taster’ sessions in September
If you’re looking to encourage imagination, self-belief and the confidence to learn new skills in a vibrant and nurturing environment, look no further than Big Little Theatre School’s range of classes for children aged 3 up to students aged 19.
RAD Ballet, ISTD Tap and Modern and Performance dance classes for girls and boys are on offer along with drama classes following the LAMDA syllabus and Musical Theatre classes including vibrant Youth Theatre companies and an acting and devised drama group. All students have performance opportunities in the annual Big Little Festival and the Youth Theatre Groups also perform in a major show at ‘The Pavilion’ Theatre Bournemouth each year.
If you would like to try a class in the Bournemouth or Ringwood area, Big Little offers free trials so why not try something new or challenge yourself to develop your skills to the next level? To find out more or to book a free trial call 01202 434499 e-mail: info@biglittle.biz or have a look at www.biglittle.biz
How to dramatically develop a happy child!
In the exciting world of technology where computers are in most homes and schools, many children have become more computer literate than their parents and schools have large budgets to develop technology. Within this fast-moving world, many children lack the essential communication skills to push themselves forward in this fast-paced world.
Susana Ayala, Principal of the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy said: ‘Success later in life is often dependent on our development as a child. Developing sound verbal communication skills in the early years, where we are able to put our case forward in this ever demanding world is paramount to unlocking the world in which we live.
Releasing a child’s creative and expressive potential through drama is a key to a child’s healthy development. By developing children’s confidence and self-esteem, the curriculum of the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy allows each and every child to fulfil their potential by developing verbal communication skills in a fun-filled environment.”
Term starts again this month for the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy, one of the largest community based drama schools in the area, offering affordable classes in Winton, Verwood, Canford Heath, Swanage, Christchurch, Ferndown, Colehill, Southbourne, Branksome, Ringwood, Broadstone and New Milton. Places are still available in most locations. The Academy has a unique, structured curriculum with classes for different age groups spanning the 5 to 18 age range. To find out more contact 01425 47 55 77, email bournemouth@helenogrady.co.uk or go to www.helenogrady.co.uk
Russian inspired musical tree house makes its home at Moors Valley Country Park
A magical, musical tree house, inspired by Russian stories, has added a new dimension to the Moors Valley Country Park play trail as part of the Park’s 25th anniversary celebrations.
Russian tales of a walking magical hut inspired the ornate fairy tale style house and the Moors Valley version offers a variety of unique play features as well as being inclusive of children with a wide variety of needs.
In addition to exploring the structure, children can fill buckets and colanders suspended on chains with sand in order to make a variety of musical sounds such as gongs, bells, and drums. By working together they quickly realise they are capable of creating a cacophony of sound, all within the same musical key.
The fully inclusive and robust play house offers full access to both upper and lower deck areas to enable children with mobility impairments to share in all aspects of co-operative play. A bridge offers wheelchair access to the upper level.
The structure will offer an alternative element to the play trail at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, near Ringwood, that is currently dominated by physical play challenges. For information on all the play facilities contact the Rangers on 01425 470721 or visit www.moors-valley.co.uk.
Top pass rates at Blackwell Dance Academy
Blackwell Dance Academy prides itself on being a very friendly school with a high standard of teaching. It offers classes in ballet, tap, jazz, street, breakdance and musical theatre at its fully equipped studio. Pupils aged 2 ½ years+ have the chance to take part in the fabulous annual shows along with other regular events. The dance academy offers very competitive rates and boasts a 100% examination pass rate. For more details call 07886 406888 or go to www.blackwelldanceacademy.co.uk
Children get active at Dorchester Sports Centre
At the full or half day camps in Dorchester Sports Centre children will be able to indulge in a spot of swimming, team games, jump on a bouncy castle and partake in plenty of outside sporting activities. If your child doesn’t fancy a whole day of activity then there are 1 hour or 1 ½ hour ‘wet’ activities available such as total wipe out, learn to dive sessions, ‘have a go’ at water polo and ‘Starts and Turns’. If your child would prefer to stay on dry land there are also sessions in netball, tiny kickers, badminton and a bouncy castle available. To find out more call 01305 858400 or go to www.1610.org.uk
New Term of Events at the Treehouse
Treehouse Family Play is an excellent all weather indoor play venue in central Bournemouth. Located in St Michaels Road near the triangle, in a magnificent grade 2 listed building 'The Treehouse' has play for all ages; a baby garden and soft play for little ones and a large wood play frame for bigger ones.
To mark the 'Back to School' season The Treehouse is launching a number of after school offers and events including '2 for 1' on food from the menu, reduced admission prices and fun activities every day after school. In addition there will be a new schedule of classes for pre-schoolers and lots of new play for toddlers. The 'grown up cafe' offers a selection of homemade breakfast, lunch and dinner options created fresh to order. Visit the website at www.treehousefamilyplay.com for a full programme of events this term.
Kids Camera Action! lines up a packed timetable of exciting workshops
Kids Camera Action! has had an outstanding year! Saturday term time film school saw children creating online interactive films; the animation workshop took to the skies with mars bar space ships and the ever popular summer film school had brilliant weather, great filming conditions and a swimming pool wrap party at Castle Court School! Kids Camera Action teachers also trained Dorset schools media leaders to cover the filming of Olympic style activities at the Dorset Games Final at Bryanston. Children from all corners of the globe created "A day in the life of" at Canford School as part of the activities for the international school, and fantastic documentaries were produced by talented children from Yarrells Prep School and Somerford School covering the exciting events of National Book week.
And now, armed with their Green Screens and Apple Macs, Kids Camera Action! is moving forward to even more exciting workshops for the next academic year, including the infamous Spooky Movie Workshop in October, the ‘free style’ term at the Saturday film school, as well as a completely new workshop for February half term: ‘Movie Special Effects Wizardry’, which will see children working with live action filming and experimenting with computerised visual effects to enhance their short films. Check out the website for further details go to www.kidscameraaction.co.uk or phone 01202 509089