See where children can play for free at Ripon's Summer FunFest

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The Summer FunFest organised by Ripon Together is back again next month, with two new venues hosting activities alongside Spa Park, Spa Gardens and Holy Trinity Church.

The three days of free school holiday fun for six- to 18-year-olds living in Ripon and neighbouring villages, run from Monday, August 11 until Wednesday, August 13 between 10am until 4pm.

Bookings must be made in advance by clicking here and under-11s must be accompanied by an adult.

Ripon Rugby Club

The first new location is Ripon Rugby Club on Mallorie Park Drive and on Monday, August 11, it will provide a wide range of acivities, including: rugby taster sessions and games, five-a-side football, face painting, Forest School Mud Kitchen, circus skills training and performances.

There will also be music, rounders, cricket, table tennis, games for toddlers and a 40ft inflatable assault course.

Bishop Monkton Village Hall and Playing Fields

On Tuesday, August 12, the second new FunFest venue in Bishop Monkton will host acivities including: a 90ft inflatable assault course, cricket, football, tennis, pickleball, rounders and pétanque/boules. 

There will be a pop-up photo booth, chill-out space, badminton, swingball, pop-up youth club, crafts, table tennis, children’s play area, games and drawing.

For those travelling by public transport, the Ripon to Knaresborough 182 bus service goes through Bishop Monkton, where there is a stop for the village hall and playing fields.

There are buses from Ripon Bus Station at 10.05, 12.05 and14.05, and a return service from Bishop Monkton at 13.43 and 15.54.

Ripon Spa Park, Holy Trinity Church and Spa Gardens

The focus is back on Ripon and three locations hosting activities on Wednesday, August 13.

Ripon Concerts are providing free music taster sessions with instruments and teachers for brass, strings, percussion, woodwind and singing. 

Inspire Youth and Ripon YMCA will be joining in the action, which includes five-a-side football, face painting, table tennis, pop-up youth club, circus skills, games, tennis, netball, free crazy golf and taster sessions for bowling.

In Spa Gardens, a youth Music and Arts Festival, with stage and sound system in place, will feature bands, singers, comedy, workshops, and performance space for dance.

There will also be a children’s play area, where story time and toddlers' games will be held.

In addition to these, free karate workshops at The Karate Dojo (above Yorkshire Trading) will take place at 12 noon and 3pm.