A MUM who also serves as a city councillor has compiled a helpful list of fun activities for families to enjoy for free over the summer holidays.

Cllr Katie Collier has produced a list of activities for families to enjoy free of charge in Worcester this summer. With some families struggling during the cost of living crisis, the Green city councillor for Leopard Hill ward wants families to get the most out of the summer holidays without having to break the bank.

When she is not representing people in her ward, the 39-year-old is also a mum to two boys, Oscar, seven, and Harry, five, and hopes the list will help other families plan their holidays and keep their children entertained.

She said: "The summer holidays can feel long and start to get expensive which is why I’ve been collecting ideas of things to do for free to keep children entertained during the summer break. Hopefully this helps other parents out there too!”

  • Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum , Foregate Street Link. Open Tuesdays- Saturday 10am-4pm, Sundays 10am-3pm. This summer has the 'dinosaurs on the doorstep’ exhibition.

FASCINATING: Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum in Foregate Street

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FASCINATING: Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum in Foregate Street (Image: Newsquest)

 

  • Tudor House Museum, Friar Street. Free entry. Open Wednesdays- Saturday 10am- 4pm. Activities include a children’s space with colouring sheets and a chance to do some dressing up. 
  • The Hive, Sawmill Walk. Open every day, 8:30am- 10pm. Cllr Collier said: "The Hive is always a perfect way to spend some time during the holidays. Join in with the summer reading challenge and there is also a brilliant programme of events this summer including ‘messy Mondays’ and Wednesday visits from the Fun Squad." EVENTS: The Hive in Worcester EVENTS: The Hive in Worcester
  • Worcester Cathedral. Open Monday- Saturday 10am- 5pm, Sunday 12:30pm- 3pm. Cllr Collier said: "A beautiful space to explore with children. Highlights include spotting the pink giraffe and this summer, there is a Peregrine chick trail. Collect trail sheet at the welcome desk.
  • The Infirmary Museum, University of Worcester City Campus, Castle Street. Open Monday - Saturday 10am-5pm. Cllr Collier said: "This is a small museum space but really fun with some great interactive exhibits- my 5 and 7 year olds enjoyed it. Perfect location to pair with a trip to the Hive, or a run around Pitchcroft (maybe a chance to visit Worcester Community Garden).
  • Craft workshops in the Hopmarket from Spare Room Arts Link. Free. Every Tuesday starting July 30, 10am-4pm. Cllr Collier said: "Arts and crafts in the Hopmarket is one of my children’s highlights of the summer holidays every year- drop in and get creative."  FREE: Tudor House Museum in Worcester has many free activities to enjoy over the summer holidays FREE: Tudor House Museum in Worcester has many free activities to enjoy over the summer holidays (Image: Supplied by Tudor House Museum)
  • Great Waddle of Worcester Penguin Trail. Free outdoor walking trail, starting Monday, July 22 and available throughout the summer. There are 40 big penguins and 40 chicks to find throughout Worcester.
  • Wild About Worcester Way Link. The Wild About Worcester way is a 12 mile way marked trail that takes you through green spaces throughout Worcester. There is a worksheet that you can download to tick off the carvings as you find them.

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  • Free Tennis at Cripplegate and Gheluvelt Parks. Free tennis can be booked online during July and August. Worcester City Council and Freedom Leisure are offering free use of the tennis courts at Cripplegate and Gheluvelt parks. Lots of slots available but you must book in advance.
  • Skate Park at Perdiswell Young Peoples Leisure Club. Cllr Collier said: "The skate park at Perdiswell Young Peoples Lesiure club is a brilliant place to visit if you’ve got children who want to develop their skills on their bike, skateboard, scooter or skates". COOL: Splash pad is a great place for children to cool off in the summer heat (Image: Newsquest)
  • Cooling off- splash pad at Gheluvelt park and the fountains at the Quay During the summer holidays, the splashpad at Gheluvelt Park should be open from 11am- 6pm. Cllr Collier said: "If you’re in town, the fountains at the Quay are a fun place to splash about.
  • Greyfriars Walled Garden. Whilst there is a fee to enter the house, entry to the garden is free. Open Monday- Saturday 10am- 4pm. Cllr Collier said: "If you need a peaceful stop, the walled garden is a lovely quiet space to explore. Sometimes in the summer they have garden games such as giant jenga (but at time of writing, Greyfriars wouldn’t confirm if these would be back out this summer). HISTORIC: Greyfriars managed by the National Trust HISTORIC: Greyfriars managed by the National Trust (Image: Newsquest)
  • ‘Fun Squad’ will be popping up all over the city at various locations offering play and craft activities. 
  • Play Stop with Play Worcester on Saturday, July 20 between 1pm and 3pm. Free, drop in event. Play Worcester will be outside the Guildhall, Worcester High Street with a variety of playful offerings; chalk, bubbles, junk modelling, and more. 
  • Free Board Game Event at the Hive (led by Dice Box) on Monday, July 22 and Monday, August 12 between 10am and noon. Book online. You can try out a variety of games and see if you can find a new favourite. Suitable for ages 5-12, parental supervision required and places need to be booked.FUN: Katie Collier's son Oscar, seven, on the Wild about Worcester Way - she hopes other families can use her guide to make the most of events in Worcester this summer FUN: Katie Collier's son Oscar, seven, on the Wild about Worcester Way - she hopes other families can use her guide to make the most of events in Worcester this summer (Image: Katie Collier)
  • One community Youth Day Free on Friday, July 26 between 2pm and 6pm. For ages 11-17. Free activities for teenagers including rides, inflatables, creative workshops at Perdiswell Young People’s Leisure Club
  • Family Bike Ride- Kidical Mass with Bike Worcester on Sunday, July 28 at 11am at Cafe Viaduct. ‘Kidical mass’ is an international movement where groups of families get together for group bike rides. On Sunday July 28, Bike Worcester will be leading a group ride that will end up at Diglis Island
  •  Worcester Show on Sunday, August 11 between 10am and 5pm on Pitchcroft. Free for children, but £2 entry for adults. Entertainment, a kids zone, Worcester Mela, a sports zone. Cllr Collier said: "This should be a great family day out."
  • MedievalFest 2024, Worcester Cathedral between Monday, August 12 and Saturday, August 17. The top lawn of the Old Bishop’s Palace will transform into a medieval village with free activities including a dragon quest trail.