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 Norfolk
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...
Escape to Hulabaloos after school or at the weekend!
Updated: 1/9/2015
After a busy day at school or at the weekend head over to Hulabaloos to let your children expend some restless energy in the split level Laser Blaster Arena where two teams of up to 14 players aged between 7 and 12 years can participate. This activity requires pre-booking and costs £4.75 per child/game. Hulabaloos also offers more than indoor play! It also possesses a delightfully huge outside play area including a trim trail, a toddler climbing frame, a larger climbing frame plus a fun bouncy castle. For more details call 01953 604526
The weird, wonderful and breathtaking arrives in Great Yarmouth
The ‘Out There’ International Festival of Circus and Street Arts takes place in Great Yarmouth on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September. Now in its sixth year, the festival has rapidly become one of the largest dedicated circus and street arts festivals in the country, offering a weekend of free family fun. St. George’s Park will host the main weekend programme, with some of the world’s finest acrobatic, comedy and circus acts. Add to that a lively mix of hands-on workshops, children’s shows and activities. Around 60,000 people flood to the town for a programme of the finest acts from around the world.
“We always look to bring the weird, the wonderful, the breathtaking and the beautiful to the festival,” says Darren Cross of organisers’, Seachange Arts. “You’re guaranteed to leave having seen something you’ve never seen before.” For further information, visit www.outtherefestival.com
Theatretrain is going to Euro Disney
2014 is going to be an exciting year at Theatretrain! To help its pupils gain experience and build their confidence not only will its students be performing in their own production, they will have the opportunity to perform at Euro Disney during the May half-term. Last term was wonderful with a performance at the London O2 Arena and Theatretrain also represented the UK at the recent EDERED International Drama Festival - this year will be equally exciting. If your child loves to act, dance and sing then contact Theatretrain for a free trial session to see what the centre has to offer. Classes start on Saturday 7th September and anyone who joins now will have the opportunity to be involved in these exciting productions. For more information call Ruth on 01223 246464 (Kings Lynn) or Sharon on 01603 766908 (Norwich) or see the website at www.theatretrain.co.uk
Learn to swim with the Norwich Penguins!
Swimmers who attend Norwich Penguins classes earn badges as they progress from stage 1 to stage 7 and are then offered the competitive swimming pathway starting with stages 8-10. Experienced teachers monitor each child individually and ensure that all swimmers have mastered the skills required for each stage before progressing to the next step. Norwich Penguins follows the National Teaching Plan for Swimming and its teachers are all ASA qualified, CRB checked and attend regular child protection training. For more details ring 01603 463282 or go to www.norwichpenguins.co.uk
Take to the stage in Norwich
During the past twenty years, thousands of youngsters have passed through the door of a Stagecoach school in the UK where they will have learned valuable training for life through singing, drama and dance. Some have even found fame and fortune like Jamie Bell, the star of the hit movie Billy Elliot. The skills the students learn aren’t just for the stage, they also grow in confidence and self esteem. To find out more about Stagecoach call Jennie on 0845 055 6451 or email Norwich@stagecoach.co.uk or go to www.stagecoach.co.uk
Visit the coolest and cutest baby show in Norfolk
On Saturday 5th October from 10am until 4pm The Really Good Bump, Birth and Baby Show will be taking place at The Forum. The show will be sure to feature only the most beautifully crafted and ecologically conscious local products, and the handpicked exhibitors will offer everything from fashion forward clothing to charming furniture pieces, along with exquisite personalised gifts and accessories.
Families will be able to join in with some baby signing and baby yoga, whilst the children can have their face painted and delight in some yummy (but healthy!) cake making. And if you still have energy left after all this you can enter your toddler into the exuberance of capoeira dancing!
Take some time to relax with The Orange Grove Clinic who will be offering massage, osteopathy, cranial osteopathy for babies, chiropractic, baby massage and, of course, mums need massage too! Also there will be acupuncture to aid those post natal niggles and nutrition advice for weaning, alongside homeopathy, aromatherapy and natural first aid kits for babies and kids in need of TLC. To find out more call 01603 631900 or email: reception@theorangegroveclinic.co.uk or go to www.theorangegroveclinic.co.uk
Escape the hustle and bustle at BeWILDerwood!
Having fun in the outdoors is a top priority at BeWILDerwood, The Curious Treehouse Adventure Park near Wroxham. It’s also the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of 2013 and create your own adventure. Stories are important, that’s why there’s several storytelling sessions a day (weather permitting of course!) Plus, there is Twiggle Twirling and Boggle Bouncing, where kids can really let their imagination go berserk! That’s not all...this year the park has some stupendously good new events which encourage children (and big kids too!) to be super silly, dress up, bounce, build, create, parade and prance! For more information about BeWILDerwood and all the events in 2013 visit www.bewilderwood.co.uk or call 01692 633 033.
Lots to celebrate by steam at Bressingham
Whether your passion is gardens, steam, exhibits, rides or even a mixture of them, Bressingham has something for all! A wonderful way to explore the beautiful gardens and woodlands of Bressingham is by climbing aboard the magnificent steam engine. With over five miles of narrow-gauge steam lines and four journeys to choose from, it's the perfect way to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Aside from the calming ambience of a steam train ride through glorious countryside, Bressingham has also arranged some thrilling and exciting events over the next few months. It’s full ‘scream’ ahead during the Spooky Halloween half term week from Saturday 26 October to Sunday 3 November which promises to be filled with plenty of spooktacular activities. Join the Nursery Line Train during this Spooky Half Term week to see pumpkin scarecrows, ghouls and ghosts as they assemble to do no good!
Whilst on Saturday 26 and Wednesday 31 October visitors can ride on the Ghost Train through the edge of the haunted woods, hoping it doesn’t break down at the old abandoned crossing or the wilderness swamp. Try to avoid riding with one of the Galloper ghosts of years gone by and look out for the witches, ghosts and ghoulish goings-on inside the museum and on the train. Gates will open at 5.30 and the last ride leaves at 8.30pm.
Once Halloween has passed, children will want to know that Father Christmas will be making special visits to Bressingham on selected days between Sunday 1 to Tuesday 24 December. Rudolph is away on his holidays so Santa has decided to use his old faithful Steam Car for the journey to Norfolk. Father Christmas visits include a ride on the steam train on the Nursery Line, a present for children under 12 years old and rides on the Gallopers. The Dads Army Exhibition will be decorated for Christmas and a children’s entertainer will be in the Village Hall. Booking is advisable and can be made by calling 01379 686900 or in person at the ticket office. Ticket numbers are limited so it's best to book online. For more details go to www.bressingham.co.uk