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After school activities for children in Plymouth

Updated: 1/9/2015

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...

Plymouth Hosts the Ocean City Festival this September

Following the city’s rebranding to become ‘Britain’s Ocean City’ earlier this year, Plymouth is set to host the now renamed Ocean City Festival from 9 – 22 September which will take place in a range of venues across the city including The Barbican, Sutton Harbour, The Hoe, Plymouth University and the Royal William Yard.

The festival is designed to offer an exciting programme of events to entice residents, visitors, scientists and adventurers alike to explore the city and discover all it has to offer. This spectacular thirteen-day festival of seafood will include chef demonstrations, live music, entertainment, aquatic leisure and cultural events. Notably, there will be a Plymouth Seafood Festival from 20 – 22 September, an

Ecover Blue Mile challenge from 14 and 15 September and STEMFest from 16 – 20 September. New events for this year’s festival include The Royal Navy Freedom of the City Parade, the launch of the River Tamar Project ‘Influencing the River’ a major cultural event exploring the future potential of this significant waterway in the South West, and Resurgam, an interactive gaming experience featuring a supernatural action-adventure movie with you at the heart of the story. There will also be a children’s parade through the streets of the Barbican on Saturday 21 September in celebration of Britain’s Ocean City and the full programme of Ocean City Festival events will be announced over the coming weeks. For more information about the Ocean City Festival visit: www.visitplymouth.co.uk/oceancityfestival

Classes resume this September at the Hartley House Dance Club

Hartley House Dance Club has had a very successful year with all students passing their ballet, tap and modern jazz exams, not forgetting the children who attend the  pre-school classes who were awarded rosette's and medals in their assessments.

Four students successfully auditioned and were chosen to model in the international dance supplies catalogue whilst two students have been accepted as Junior Associates with the Royal Ballet School and start weekly training in September.

There are plenty of new classes starting in September, especially for children who want to learn ballet, tap and jazz.  Spaces are available in pre-school Melody Bear Dance for children aged 18 months to 4 years. Plus there’s a new Mummy and Baby Movement class for children aged 3 months+.  In addition there is adult ballet and tap for all ages and abilities. For more details about the classes or to enrol call Linda on 01752 252127 or 07763 494417 

Razzamataz ‘Free Taster’ Open Day

Razzamataz Theatre School in Plymouth will be holding a free taster open day on Saturday 14 September at Oakwood Primary School, Plymouth. Children are encouraged to go along for free and to enjoy the fun in dance, drama and singing with the fabulous Razzamataz team. A free scholarship for a term will be awarded to one lucky student that shows great promise on the day, plus there will be other free gifts to those who enrol on the open day. Free taster sessions are also available from 21 September onwards for children aged 4-5 who are interested in starting Razz Minis. Also, Razzamataz is now offering Razzamataz performance parties! This is a great way to celebrate a child's party with bespoke party themes, free party bags and very competitive prices. For all enquiries call Deborah on 01626 367010

Hands2gether – inspired by creativity!

Hands2gether is a pottery, art and craft studio that has been successfully providing support services for those with disabilities. Seeing the benefits that originate from creativity was the inspiration to expand this business into a new unit and open it to everyone. Its aim is to offer first class customer services in comfortable surroundings and provide activities for all ages at a reasonable cost.

The studio is open during weekends and school holidays although bookings can be made for weekdays or evenings outside of the school holidays for groups. Hands2gether also run clay courses and various craft activities, and take bookings for birthday’s and parties. Hands2gether is near Jump at Unit 92 and free car parking is available. Contact Dave or Carol at Hands2gether on 01752 658784 for further details.

Location, location, location… and convenience!

Jazzercise started in Plymouth 6 years ago, and is renowned for its excellent

dance exercise programme and superb locations. The opening of the daytime classes at the new location of Harewood House, Plympton is all about accessibility and convenience. When combined with other tweaks to the current timetable, the latest schedule allows adults to attend Jazzercise 6 days a week from 6 venues - a total 18 classes each week. Jazzercise has been polished and refined over 40 years and has now created a network of venues and classes that facilitate as many people as possible who can enjoy and benefit from Jazzercise. For information about the changes visit www.jazzerciseplymouth.com

Post school fun at Woodlands

A treat or two can help ease the tension of changing classes and schools! Having fun together at a big attraction need not cost a bomb if you get 20% off online and all your favourite attractions are included.

Devon's large family theme park, Woodlands, has all the rides, indoor adventures and cuddly animals to keep the family occupied all day. Experience white knuckle rides like the high flying Swing Ship and pulse pounding Avalanche; fly down watercoasters that electrify while cute kids ride gently on Polar Pilots and Dune Buggies. Drive man sized tractors past the massive T Rex, flesh eating Velociraptors and baby dinosaurs in the new Dinosaur Farm.

Rainy days are no problem with unbelievable indoor Fun Factories to explore. Discover 5 floors packed with climbing, swinging and sliding action. Take off on four great rides including the chilling drop of the 40ft Trauma Tower. The two Soft Play Centres are packed with interaction and challenging fun. Blasting balls at buddies in the two Alien Planet Arenas is hilarious.

Whether it's wet or dry the Playzones at Woodlands make a special day out for all age groups and it's 20% off online. Bring a caravan or a tent and enjoy one of the best family campsites in Europe, which gives free access to the Theme Park. Go to woodlandsgrove.com for details.

It’s play time all the time at Bear Feet!

It’s play time all the time at Bear Feet Play Centre, the unique indoor children’s play centre in Newton Abbot. Bear Feet boasts an amazing 8000 square feet of pure fun, packed full of ball pools, slides, and even a ball volcano - it really is the most fun your children can have with their socks on!

Bear Feet Play centre is proud to have, for the second year running won the best play centre in Devon as voted for by Primary Times.  They strive to provide a relaxing and stress free experience for the adults as well as an exciting and exhilarating experience for your little angels.

Bear Feet also offer an individual party experience that is both unique and stress free. Two hour parties include a choice of hot or cold food, unlimited jugs of squash, ice cream, reserved seating for adults and a birthday card and gift for the birthday child. Bear Feet has several fantastic packages to cater for your budget including the new cupcake decorating party and pottery painting party.  Browse the different party party options and find out more about this fun play centre at www.bearfeet.net

Fantastic deals for Halloweek during October Half Term at Crealy Meadows

Stay at Crealy Meadows Caravan and Camping Park this Halloween, during October Half Term and get some fantastic offers on fun for all the family.  Enjoy the ultimate 5 star ‘glamping’ experience in a luxury themed Safari Tent or Medieval Pavilion.  With packages for up to eight people starting at just £349, you will receive complimentary passes to Crealy Great Adventure Park along with unlimited hot and cold drinks throughout your stay. The stylish Themed Tents offer a truly unique experience where you will find everything you need for a luxurious stay, including a fully equipped country kitchen with a warming wood burning stove.

If camping or caravanning is more up your street, a family of four can stay from just £99 including entry to Crealy, situated right next door.

Guests at Crealy Meadows Caravan and Camping Park can enjoy an exciting calendar throughout Halloweek and Devon’s Crealy Great Adventure Park will be celebrating the finale weekend with a fantastic fireworks display on Sunday 3 November. For more information on these fantastic deals visit www.crealymeadows.co.uk

 It’s harvest time at Occombe Farm

Join the friendly folk at Occombe Farm on the 15 September for Harvest@Occombe and enjoy fun farm and country activities for all the family.  There will be cookery demostrations, live music, tractor rides, storytelling, market stalls, a BBQ and much more! Tickets cost £4 per adult and £2.50 per child aged 2-15. Book your tickets now for guaranteed entry and to beat the queues, or just turn up on the day.

Also, this Halloween join the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust on its Spooktacular Skeleton Trail from Tuesday 29 – Thursday 31 October. Children aged 4-12 years will be able to take on the spooky skeletons and find the hidden key to unlock the coffin filled with Halloween treats! This spookily fun event cost £3.50 per child and includes a chocolate prize and creepy craft activities. Visit www.countryside-trust.org.uk or call 01803 520022 for more information

Good old-fashioned family fun at one of Devon’s best-kept secrets

Set in 20 acres of beautiful Dartmoor parkland, the Miniature Pony Centre is home to its famous miniature ponies and donkeys that foal throughout the spring and early summer. Aside from the cute animals there are free and hands-on activities including family entertainers during the school holidays, and plenty of play areas, free spotter guides and a wealth of wildlife to discover. All budding horse riders aged 3 to 10 years should head to the riding arena for a pony ride. The Miniature Pony Centre is easy to find on the main B3212 road, just 2 miles west of Moretonhampstead (TQ13 8RG).  For more details call 01647 432400 or visit www.miniatureponycentre.com.

Plymouth celebrates its cultural diversity in October

A festival designed to promote respect and celebrate diversity across all areas of the community will take place at Plymouth University on 12 and 13 October.
Plymouth Respect is a 2 day festival featuring free entertainment, music, dance workshops, food, cinema and much more. The Grand Parade leaves Plymouth Guildhall at 10.30am on Saturday with the theme of flying with Respect.  Hundreds of children have been making costumes and sculptures to take part, sprinkled with some fantastic Samba bands, music and madness all the way to the University – it’s sure to be a colourful sight!  There will be four performance stages, a huge kids area, a world food market and much more.

Plymouth Play Association and Stonehouse Play will be a part of the Respect team working to provide a kids wonderland of play. Planned activities will include ‘jumbo bubbles’, working out what sort of dinosaur you would be judged by the length of your footstep, hands-on circus skills, the Plymouth University robots, shadow puppet workshops, an opportunity to sit in a fire engine, sound a police siren and check out an ambulance. Entry is free to the Respect Festival.  The festival will open on campus on the Saturday from 11am to 8pm and on the Sunday from 11am until 5pm. For more information go to www.plymouthrespectfestival.co.uk

Experience the nostalgia of a typical Cornish railway
The Bodmin and Wenford Railway is Cornwall's only standard gauge, steam, heritage railway. Set in the heart of Cornwall, close to the A30 and A38, and with a mainline connection at Bodmin Parkway, it offers a 13 mile round trip through picturesque and tranquil countryside.
The railway replicates the atmosphere and nostalgia of a typical Cornish branch line in the 1940's and 50's, a time when there was no mass car ownership and most people travelled by train. Some of the equipment and rolling stock dates back to the Victorian era. Nearby is the National Trust property at Lanhydrock House, Bodmin Moor, the Camel Trail, and the Eden Project. The railway operates for 220 days of the year, and daily from May through to September inclusive.
School groups are always welcome. The Victorians and Second World War evacuees sections are of educational value and relevant to the curriculum. For more details call 01208 73555 or go to www.bodminrailway.co.uk

Tantalise the taste buds this autumn at RHS Rosemoor

Award winning South West based garden Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Rosemoor, is holding a series of events this autumn to tantalise the taste buds in celebration of the area’s prominence as a specialist supplier of food and drink to top chefs and restaurants all over the country.

The events kick off with Rosemoor’s Local Produce Show on 17 August when local growers and producers bring the finest examples of their efforts to the garden to be judged. Visitors will also be able to see cookery demonstrations and take part in family workshops. Next up is the ‘Taste of the West Country Food Fest’ on 22 September, bringing together traditional regional produce.

The logo of the RHS is an apple tree and it therefore comes as no surprise that Apple Day on 6 October is a major event in the Rosemoor calendar. This autumn a bumper crop is expected so there will be fantastic apple displays; cookery demonstrations and apple recipes; tastings; children’s activities and trails; plus stalls selling fruit and apple juice.

The festival season is capped off with ‘Taste of Autumn’ on 12 and 13 October. Visitors are invited to celebrate the fantastic colours and flavours of the season with cookery demonstrations and family fun. For more information visit www.rhs.org.uk/Rosemoor or call 01805 626800.

Killerton celebrates its cider and apple weekend

On Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October, families will be able to enjoy apple crafts, a traditional hog roast, live music and a children’s bumblebee parade through the orchard at Killerton’s annual family festival. There will be apple trees for sale and apple experts will be on hand to help identify your home-growns. In addition, families can try William Tell archery, wood-turning, cookery and join in with some village fete games. For the grown-ups there will be a cider bar serving Killerton’s award-winning estate cider and locally produced wines.  Entertainment throughout the weekend will include fire juggling, folk dance and music from local bands. For event details visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killertonapples or call 01392 881345