So we have made it to the summer holiday, yay! No more school runs for six weeks and no more repeating yourself 10 times in two minutes to find shoes. But now what? Six whole weeks of no school for the kids, how are you going to keep them occupied? Well, if you live in Devon, or will be visiting over the summer holidays, I have found 59 different activities that are going on to help you keep the kids busy.
TORBAY
Paignton Zoo – BIAZA Big Bug Bonanza!
Date: Monday 7th to Friday 12th August
Time: Usual opening hours
Price: Usual admission
This summer hop on down to Paignton Zoo to discover the weird and wonderful world of bugs! Activities will include edible bug-eating, bug talks at the Investigate Exhibit, craft activities and more.
Also every day during the summer holidays you will be able to see the Winged Wonders bird show. During the show you will have the chance to see incredible birds of prey from around the world as they fly close by and swoop around our Animal Encounters theatre. The shows run every day at 1 pm, 2 pm and 3.30 pm up until the 3rd September.
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Occombe Farm – Summer Activity Pack
Date: 25 July 2017 – 1 September 2017
Time: Every Day of the Summer Holidays 10 am – 3 pm
Price: £2.50per child
We love Occombe Farm and this summer we can’t wait to try out their summer activity pack. With the pack you can discover mega and mini beasts, brass rubbings, fun and much more! The packs can be picked up from the Occombe Kiosk.
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Occombe Farm – Tots Go Wild Summer Club
Date: Every Monday 24 July 2017 to Monday 28 August 2017
Time: 9.30 am to 11 am
Price: £5 per child, Babies go free
If you have a little one, baby to 5 years old, take them along to Occombe for a morning of fun on the farm. Below is a list of what will be taking place every Monday:
Monday 24th July – Animals– Tots come on down to Occombe farm for a morning filled with animals large and small.
Monday 31st July – Discovery– What does the summer have to offer? Tots find out in a morning of seasonal discovery at Occombe Farm.
Monday 7th August – Play– Wild play for wild tots, come along to Occombe Farm to let out your wild side.
Monday 14th August – Music– Come and explore the rhythms of life in a morning of music for tots.
Monday 21st August – Create– A morning of creation at Occombe Farm. Bring along your little tots for a morning of arts and crafts.
Monday 28th August – Build– Straw, sticks or brick. What will your little tot build their house from?
To take part in these sessions you do need book, you can do that here.
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Occombe Farm – Kids Holiday Club Day
Date: Every Thursday from 27 July 2017 to 31 August 2017
Time: 8.30 am to 5.30 pm
Price: £40 per child per day – for 7 to 12 year olds
Every Thursday during the summer holidays drop your kids off for a fun-filled day of activities at Occombe Farm. Below is a list of what will be taking place every Thursday:
Thursday 27th July & Thursday 17th August – Discovery – Come and discover all that Occombe has to offer! Explore the nature trail with activities including meadow sweeping and bird watching.
Thursday 3rd & 24th August – Farming and gardening – Roll up your sleeves and come on down to the farm. Get stuck in with feeding the animals and helping in the garden.
Thursday 10th & 31st August – Wild creativity – Unleash your creative side with a day of wild arts and crafts and music.
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Occombe Farm – Meet Farm Animals
Date: Various dates between 28 July 2017 – 1 September 2017
Time: 10 am to 11 am
Price: £2.50 – for children aged 3+
Meet the Occombe Farm animals and get a taste of what it’s like to feed and care for them. In these special hour-long sessions, you will get to meet the animals in a small group and say hello to all your favourites
All adults and children attending must purchase a space due to group size restrictions. You can book your place here.
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Cockington – Kids Holiday Club Day
Date: Every Tuesday from 25 July 2017 to 29 August 2017
Time: 8.30 am – 5.30 pm
Price: £40 a day for children aged between 7 and 12 years
Every Tuesday during the summer holidays you can drop your kids off for a day of fun-filled activities at Cockington Country Park
Tuesday 25th July – Survival – Could you survive in the wild? Put your survival skills to the test with a day of activities including shelter building and fire lighting.
Tuesday 1st, 22nd August – Journey – They say it’s all about the journey, not the destination! Come down to Cockington for some journey themed activities including orienteering, a letterbox trail and team challenges.
Tuesday 8th & 29th August – Discovery – Think you know Cockington? Think again! Come and hunt for Cockington’s woodland mini beasts, complete a tree trail and discover what there is living in the streams.
To book your space on this holiday club you can do it here.
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Cockington – Explorer Backpacks
Date: 26 July 2017 – 1 August 2017
Time: between 10 am & 3 pm
Price: £2 + £10 returnable cash deposit only
We love taking a walk around the park at Cockington and this would be great to go on an adventure with our little explorers. You can borrow a backpack full of things to do & look for in the park. There are 10 packs available on a first come first serve basis.
There are packs for under 5s & for 6-9 year olds. You can pick the packs up from Cockington Visitor Centre
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Cockington Fayre
Date: Wednesday 2 August 2017
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Price: TBC
As I mentioned earlier we love visiting Cockington and their summer Fayre is really a great family day out.
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Cockington Dog Day
Date: 20 August 2017
Time: 11 am to 4 pm
Price: FREE!
Another great family day out, and your furry four-legged friend can join in too! Forever Hounds Trust (SW) and many other fab canine organisations and companies for a dog show, have-a-go dog challenges and much more.
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Family Explorers Club at Cockington/Occombe/Berry Head/Goodrington Sands
Date: Every Saturday from 29 July 2017 – 26 August 2017
Time: 10 am to 12 noon
Price: £5 per child
Now these look like they will be great family days out. Every Saturday in the Summer Holidays there will be family explorer club across the different Torbay & Coast Countryside sites in Torbay.
Saturday 29th July: Cockington Minibeasts – Cockington Country Park is awash with wildlife. Come along and see what you can discover in the streams and woods.
Saturday 5th August: Birds, Bees and Butterflies – Visit Occombe Farm to explore the beautiful and diverse nature trail. The Rangers will help you identify the wildlife that is right on your doorstep.
Saturday 12th August: Head to Berry Head – Discover Berry Head National Nature Reserve, and explore the secrets of the past and the present.
Saturday 19th August: Life on the Seashore – Visit Goodrington Sands for a morning of exploration from rock pool residents to strandline shells.
Saturday 26th August: Smallholding 101 – Ever wanted to be a farmer? Come along and learn the basics, from growing your own vegetables to raising animals.
There are limited spaces for each session so booking your spot is recommended.
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Kents Cavern – Stone Age Games
Date: Saturday 22 July to Sunday 3rd September
Time: 9.30 am with last cave tour at 4.30 pm
Price: Usual admission with some small charges for activities.
If you are looking for a great indoor activity on a rainy day, Kent’s Cavern won’t disappoint. During the Sumer holiday you can also join the Stone Age School gang in the woodlands this summer for some Prehistoric themed fun.
- Flag Decorating – Make your own Stone Age paint and decorate your tribe’s flag
- Palaeo-Table – Learn about Stone Age artefacts and even handle some
- Pouch Making – Make a leather pouch and scavenge through the woods for resources that might help you survive the Stone Age
- Stone Age Pendant – Make and decorate your own Stone Age necklace
Have even more fun by completing the rest of the free on-site activities include an ice age animal hunt, Stone Age trail, kids fun dig and rock art.
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Torquay Museum – The World of Flying Drones
Date: Thursday 3 August 2017
Time: 11 am to 12 non
Price: £4.50 per adult, £3 per child
If you have a young one that loves anything to do with drones then this would be the perfect day for them. Come along and learn about drones with Up and Away Vision. You can also have the chance to fly the latest technology simulator and mini drones.
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Torquay Museum – Star Wars Exhibition – May the Toys be with you
Date: Now until the 3rd September 2017
Time: 10 am to 4 pm (last entry at 3 pm)
Price: Usual admission
From a Galaxy far, far away comes an absolute must see for fans of Star Wars and Sci-Fi. May The Toys Be With You showcases one of Britain’s finest Star Wars collections, featuring some of the first toys, posters and memorabilia produced. You will get the chance to get up-close to stunning life-sized replicas of Darth Vader, R2D2, a Stormtrooper, Yoda and a Boba Fett helmet and chest armour There is even a full-sized Star Wars X-Wing Cockpit arcade video game that you can play, and much more.
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Paignton Festival
Date: Saturday 22nd July – Sunday 30th July
Time: Starting from 10 am
Price: FREE
This regular event is always packed with so much. From the Party on the Green on Saturday afternoon to classic car shows, fancy dress competition and its of entertainment. The Carnival is also part of the festival and will be taking place on procession on Wednesday 26th July with the procession leaving the Paignton Green at 7.45 pm. Also on Sunday 30th July the every popular Dubs on the Beach will be taking place.
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Children’s Week, Paignton Green
Date: Tuesday 15th to Sunday 20th August
Time: Starting from 10 am
Price: FREE
Children’s Week is a great week of free activities taking place on Paignton Green. The schedule for this year includes the World of Discovery on Tuesday, Medieval Day on Wednesday and a day of fairy tales on Thursday. The very popular Messy Day is taking place Friday followed by something for all the family, Sc-Fi Saturday. This week never disappoints to keep the kids entertained.
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Palace Theatre, Paignton – Aladdin
Date: Every Thursday from 3rd August to 31 August 2017
Time: 6pm
Price: Adult £10, Concession £9, Child (2 to 18) £8, Family £30
Fasten your seat belts and take off on a magical carpet ride to Old Peking to meet Aladdin and his hard working mother and local laundress, Widow Twankey. Follow Aladdin on his quest to find a magic lamp for the Evil Sorcerer Abanazar, who has promised Aladdin a treasure trove of wealth. Meaning he will be able to marry the Princess but all is not as it seems once he steps inside the dark and dangerous cave…
To see more information or to book tickets click here.
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Palace Theatre, Paignton – Entertainingly Different Drama and Circus Workshops
Date: Saturday 5 August 2017
Time: Drama Workshop 10 am & 2 pm, Circus Skills Workshop 11.30 am & 3.3 pm.
Price: Cost £5 for 1 Adult & 1 Child
Come along and join in family friendly drama workshop for a jam-packed sixty minutes of fun and engaging Drama activities that the whole family will enjoy. Then there is the family circus skills workshop where you can learn new skills like feather balancing, plate spinning, hoopla, juggling and even a spot of clowning.
For more information and to purchase tickets click here.
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Torbay Steam Fair 2017
Date: Friday 4 August 2017 to Sunday 6 August 2017
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Price: £2 to £9
Torbay Steam Fair is now one of the biggest events on the English Riviera events calendar and attracts visitors from far and wide. Situated just outside Brixham this 3 day event is a must for all the family. Come and view the wonderful working steam engines, vintage, and classic cars, lorries, military displays, market stalls and so much more.
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Greenway – Outdoor theatre: ‘The Secret Garden’
Date: Sunday 13 August 2017
Time: 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm
Price: Adult £14, Child under 16s £10
Heartbreak Productions version of the classic children’s tale ‘The Secret Garden’ demonstrates all that is good about friendship and promises to add a touch of magic to your summer’s evening.Bring along a picnic and low-backed seating, and settle down for this outdoor theatre performance in the Walled Garden. To book call 01803 842382 or email greenway@nationaltrust.org.uk
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Coleton Fishacre
Date: Laundry Day – every Tuesday during the school holidays, Garden trail any day
Time: 10.30 am to 5 pm
Price: Usual admission
On Tuesdays in the school holidays it’s laundry day in the house. In the Laundry the washboard and mangle will be put to work to clean some vintage clothing. Have a go and find out what life was like as a laundry maid. In the Kitchen there’s a napkin folding activity which is perfect for little and big kids alike. There’s also the handling room to visit, my girls love this room! In here outfits and accessories from the 1920s and 30s are displayed, which you can rifle through and try on.
Once you have finished the house pop out for the Garden trail. Fancy being a nature detective? One trail in the garden invites you to search for different types of plants, count their leaves or draw what you see, and then claim your reward of a sticker from Visitor Reception. Or you could find out about the plants from all over the world which thrive in the garden by picking up a passport from Reception. In the garden are suitcase signs to find, which tell you about a nearby plant. On the sign is a hole punch so that you can punch your passport to show you’ve completed the trail.
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Coleton Fishacre – The Big Butterfly Count
Date: Now until Sunday 6 August
Can you help with The Big Butterfly Count by finding a quiet spot and seeing how many butterflies you can spot in 15 minutes? You’ll be able to pick up a basic butterfly ID sheet and map with some of the best spots to sit and count butterflies marked on it. Once you’ve found a good butterfly spotting spot, take 15 minutes and write down all of the butterflies you see in that time.
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Coleton Fishacre – 50 things to do before you’re 11¾ – Wednesdays
Date: Every Wednesday during the school holidays –
- 26 July and 16 August – Pond dipping
- 2 and 23 August – Cook on campfire
- 9 August – Hill rolling
Time: 2 – 4 pm
Price: Normal admissions apply plus for Pond dipping – Free, Cook on campfire £2 per child, Hill rolling – Free
Welcome to Wild Wednesdays at Coleton Fishacre. The team of rangers will lead you through some of the 50 things to do before you’re 11¾ activities in the garden. This s a drop in event.
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Coleton Fishacre – Man Sands – 50 things to do before you’re 11¾
Date: Tuesday 8 and 22 August
Time: 12.30 pm to 2 pm
Price: FREE
Pop along to nearby Man Sands beach where the rangers will be looking to discover some of the fantastic creatures hidden in the rock pools and tick off one of the 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾. To find Man Sands beach, you can park in Man Sands car park (grid ref: SX913530) and walk down Woodhuish lane. The walk is pretty steep so a moderate level of fitness is required.Dogs on leads are welcome.
What to bring and wear – Please wear sensible shoes or wellington boots. Steep walk to and from car park. Not suitable for people with limited mobility.
For more information, call 01803 842382 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownstone-and-coleton-camp
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Compton Castle – Tudor Days
Date: Thursdays from 27 July – 31 August
Time: 10.30 am-4 pm
Price: Normal admission prices apply
At the Tudor days you can step back in time and experience castle life of old. There will be volunteers in costume as well as costumes for visitors of all ages to try on, games to play, herbs to crush, as well a different activity on each Tudor day
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Torre Abbey – Family Sundays
Date: 30 July & 27 August
Time: Various
Price: £5
On the 30th July come along and take part in poetry and drama workshops, plus a live performance of Rustle by Paddleboat Theatre. Poetry workshop will start at 11 am and the Drama workshop at 2.30 pm. To book you place on these workshops click here.
On 27 August Its time for the terrific ‘T’ party – fun and entertainment beginning with the letter ‘t’ from treasure hunts and ‘t’ dances to ar’t’y activities and ‘t’ time tales!
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Torre Abbey – Open Air Theatre – Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors
Date: Tuesday 1st to Friday 4th August
Time: 7.30 pm with matinees on Wednesday and Thursday at 230 pm
Price:
This play is set in 1901 at the Circus of Ephesus. Those caught visiting from nearby Syracuse will be fed to the lions. Antipholus of Syracuse and his trusty fool Dromio brave the journey, each in search of their missing twin. They disguise themselves as circus artists – inadvertently donning the clothes of their missing counterparts and comedy and mayhem ensue… Marrying a colourful circus-infused physicality with Shakespeare’s linguistic acrobatics and live music, this is a fast paced and joyous new outdoor staging of Shakespeare’s farce of mistaken identity. This play is being put on by Exeter Northcott, to book your tickets call Box office 01392 726363
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Paignton Harbour Festival
Date: Saturday 12 August 2017
Time: 10 am to 11 pm
Price: FREE
Paignton Harbour was established in the 18th Century and was a thriving fishing harbour for many years and some of the old traditions of seamanship are kept alive and passed on through generations of locals. Today the harbour remains a hive of activity, especially during the summer months & a vast range of different users enjoy the benefits of this unassuming maritime gem. Its understated beauty and authentic ‘fishing haven’ feel are often overlooked by visitors and some locals.
The festival is a full family fun day with the best local produce, demo stage with fantastic local chef, 100 seated pop up restaurant and the maritime history of the Harbour.
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SOUTH DEVON
Powderham Castle – Themed Weeks
Date: Sunday 30th July 2017 to Friday 4th August 2017 – Knights & Dragoon
Sunday 6th August 2017 to Friday 11th August 2017 – Faerie Folk
Sunday 13th August – Friday 18th August – Robin Hood
Sunday 20th August 2017 to Saturday 26th August 2017 – Pirates & Mermaids
Sunday 27th August 2017 to Friday 1st September 2017 – Wonderland
Join the Pocketwatch Theatre as they put on a range of themed weeks throughout the summer holidays. Themed sessions take place at specified times and run for approximately 45 to 60 minutes and are aimed for children between 5 -11 years (and adults) of all ages. Tickets are issued on the day only and spaces are limited.
For children with season tickets or children returning on a free 7 day return there will a charge of £3.00 for every child that would like to take part. Outdoor themed sessions may be dependent on the weather and PTC/Powderham reserve the right to make changes, substitutions and cancellations to the published schedule at any time.
This list is amazing – can’t wait to explore further afield and nose around the South of our fab county!
Thanks Hannah. There is so much going on this summer. X
Oh wow! There are LOADS here that we haven’t been to, we have a weeks holiday together at the end of August, I’ll have to tick some off!
I know! I haven’t done some of these yet so hopefully we will be able to tick them off this year. X
So many great events – thanks for sharing. Certainly going to make it to Cockington this summer!
My pleasure. I hope you get to Cockington, we do love it there. X
Wow, these look so much fun. I really need to visit Occombe Farm as I’ve heard good things about it. I love this post.
Occombe Farm is fab! So much to see and plenty of space for the kids to run around. They do a fab cake too. X
Goodness I need more than 6 weeks holiday for all this! A great round up and lots of detail – thank you.
I know! It think it would be a case of doing two of these a day to get it all in!! X
Don’t forget the Torbay Holiday Programme also has 4 weeks of fun events and activities for toddlers up to teenagers over the summer hols ☀️
Wow, what a fab list!
I’m starting to get a bit overwhelmed with everything that is going on in Devon over the holidays lol.
I really need to start planning so that we fit in as much as we can.
Thank you for putting this together, we’ll probably be at powderham alot as we have an annual pass and so does my mum and sisters x
My pleasure. I have never been to Powderham so that is defiantly on my list for a visit with the girls. Have a great summer holidays. X
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