Free activities to do with the kids this summer in the Harrogate district

As the cost of living continues to rise, the thought of six weeks of trying to keep the children entertained on a tight budget can be daunting.

Fortunately you don’t always have to spend a fortune to have a fun day out.

We have put together a selection of free activities to enjoy with your family across the Harrogate district.

Pop-up parties – Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon

The Jubilee activities in Harrogate and Ripon were hugely enjoyed, so the summer programme organised by Harrogate Borough Council is sure to be popular.

There will be a chance for young people to enjoy juggling and circus shows, magicians, character meet and greets, and mini discos at three of the district’s picturesque parks and gardens.

Valley Gardens, Harrogate on Thursday, August 11 and Friday, August 12 between 11am and 4pm

Knaresborough Castle on Friday, August 26 between 11am and 4pm

Ripon Spa Gardens on Saturday, August 27 between 11am and 3pm

The venues are also all worth visiting for a free day out, even if you are unable to make the parties.

You could enjoy a picnic and play in the Valley Gardens, plus a walk up to the Pinewoods. You could grab an ice cream and head to Knaresborough Castle, before wandering down the steps to the riverside. Or you could play a game of crazy golf in Ripon Spa Gardens.

 

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A day out at Brimham Rocks, Nidderdale

If you live in the district, chances are you have already visited the unusual moorland rock formations at Brimham Rocks.

However, the summer holidays are the perfect excuse to head up there again with a picnic.

If you haven’t been, you’re in for a treat as it really is nature’s playground for the whole family. Just make sure the kids are wearing decent shoes so they can climb the rocks. Also taking a photo of your children pretending to either push a huge boulder over or hold one up is essential.

The views over Nidderdale are stunning too.

There’s no admission charge at Brimham Rocks. Parking is free for National Trust members.

For non-National Trust members, car parking charges are  £6 for up to four hours and £8 thereafter.

Library events – district wide

On a rainy day, nothing beats a free trip to the library, where you can lose yourself in all the amazing children’s books on offer.

A Summer Reading Challenge is taking place to encourage your children to pick up a book, which isn’t always easy in the holidays.

Children aged four to 11 years just need to call in at their local library to sign up.

The challenge is free to take part in and children get to collect rewards for the reading that they do over the summer holidays. To complete the challenge they have to read six library books between now and September 10.
There are also lots of free activities on offer over the school holidays, including workshops, Lego building and family board games days.
Summer reading challenge set to return to Harrogate district libraries

Libraries in the Harrogate district are to adopt a wild world heroes theme for next month’s return of the summer reading challenge.

North Yorkshire County Council and the Reading Agency, a charity that encourages reading, hold the challenge annually encourage children aged four to 11 to pick up books.

However, it did not take place last year due to covid.

Children sign up for free at libraries to read six library books over the summer holiday period.

In return they receive stickers to fix environmental problems and other incentives, including a medal and certificate.

This year’s theme also aims to educate youngsters on how they can make a difference to the environment,

A programme of online events for families will support the challenge, including a cartoon workshop, a story hunt and finding out why rubbish isn’t rubbish.

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County councillor Greg White, executive member for libraries, said:

“It is wonderful that we can run the challenge in libraries again this year. Children really missed the free incentives and the advice and encouragement of staff and volunteers last year.

“Signing children up to the summer reading challenge is a great way for parents and carers to help them to maintain their reading levels.

“The wild world heroes theme could not be more relevant as we need all our young people to know how to care for our precious planet.”

Karen Napier, chief executive of the Reading Agency, said the charity WWF-UK was a partner for this year’s challenge. She added:

“We have seen first-hand, via our children’s programmes, that climate change and the environment are subjects that children are keen to explore.”

Children can sign up from July 10.