Things to keep the children happy all summer
NORTH Wales’ premier science fiction, gaming and comic event, Scifi Wales, is back for its third year in Llandudno. It features celebrity guests, talks, Q&A sessions, traders, prop displays, cosplay, competitions, photo opportunities, autograph rooms and more.
Expect appearances from Torchwood’s Gareth David-Lloyd, Doctor Who’s Sophie Aldred, Red Dwarf legend Steven Wickham, and Gloria Garcia of Star Wars and James Bond fame. ● September 2, Venue Cymru, Llandudno – £10, under fives go free. 3 Agricultural event of the year TAKE a walk on the wild side at this year’s Royal Welsh Show and come face to face with dinosaurs, both big and small. Children (and adults) will be entertained with an “educational, engaging and exciting” dinosaur experience.
The Kangaroo Kid show will be performing high octane stunts and the Quack Pack are back combining border collies with cheeky Indian runner ducks to provide humorous sheepdog and duck displays. ● Until July 27, Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd – £24, children £5, under fives go free 4 Climb some really big trees AT the Great Big Tree Climbing Co events, experts will be on hand to guide you up tall trees using ropes and harnesses across North Wales. ● July 27: Erddig National Trust, Wrexham. August 24: Erddig National Trust, Wrexham. August 27-28: Bodnant Garden, Conwy. For ages six and above – booking is essential. £18.50 per person and admission fees to some sites may apply. ● July 29, Bala Lake Railway. Normal train fares sive events created to bring the characters, stoa apply, with all additional activities included. ries and magic of Welsh history to life. Meet Entry to Llanuwchllyn station will be £1 for “real” historic characters and experience everyanyone without a ticket (refundable against thing from a bloody battle to an enchanting p purchase of tickets). evening of myths and legends. 12
● July 29-30, Conwy Castle; September 2-3, Shoreline safari Harlech Castle – no booking required, event is JOIN the Wild Elements team and free but general site admission applies.
17 explore the coastline of the Menai Strait. From water dwellers to Day out with Thomas the ccreepy crawlies, who knows what weird and Tank Engine wonderful creatures you may find as you JOIN the Llangollen Railway as embark on a safari with a difference. Limited they welcome Thomas for a day of availability so be sure to book upon arrival on family fun. A ticket includes a train ride with the day. Children must be accompanied. Thomas as well as a variety of Thomas & Friends ● August 4, Plas Newydd, Anglesey – £1.50 per themed entertainment. studio, face art from award-winning Kaleidoperson plus normal National Trust admission ● August 10-13, Llangollen Railway –£18,
13 18 scope Faces, and you can dress up in the theatre children £11, under twos go free. show costumes. Become a fairy for the ● July 28-30, Theatr Clwyd, Mold. weekend Go wild in nature Come along to the Dee Valley THE video game-inspired outdoor where the fairies live in a castle on activity days are back in Wrexham. the hill. Llangollen Faery Festival has lots of Sure, your child can survive in the NOW in its 17th year, WoodFest Country activities for children and grown-ups, including wilderness on the computer screen, but can Show is a celebration of all things wood. wing and wand making workshops, storytellers, they do it in the real woods? Kids have to work JOIN the Great Victorian Dinosaur Hunt Timber professionals and competitors from a vintage fun fair, a real faery village, face together using what they know from video on a journey to discover creatures from around the world do battle in a range of compepainting, and live music. games to learn outdoor survival skills – and earn the dawn of time. titions – pole climbing, chainsaw carving, axe ● August 12-13, Llangollen Pavilion – from £12, points along the way. Presented by the Off Book Theatre Company, racing, wood chopping and logging skills, children from £2 Playing the Wildcraft Adventure game is one visitors will be transported back in time in an extreme mountain biking. There’s also music, way to get your video game-obsessed child out interactive and immersive experience. and camping is also available. into nature. Open to children aged between six ● July 27: Plas Newydd, Llangollen. Booking ● July 29-30, Pen-y-cefn, Caerwys – from £12, BRING suitable outdoor clothing, and 12 years. essential (01978 862843). children from £2.50. pack a picnic, a low-backed chair ● July 30, Erddig Hall, Wrexham – £30 per child, 6 10 19
and some snuggly blankets for a £27.50 for each additional sibling. Tickets can Indulge any Minecraft and Zombie Conwy Playday performance to remember. only be purchased at woodlandclassroom.com. enthusiasts ACTIVITIES include sandcity, The Wind in the Willows is at Erdigg, WrexMINECRAFT ‘Zombies’ Club on July 28 treasure hunts, graffiti art, ham, on August 12. On August 15-16, The Medieval weekend will see 30 Waves of Zombies, an epic structure building, dressing up, Smartest Giant In Town, an adaptation of the KNIGHTS will do battle to conboss fight and lots of fun. arts and crafts, cooking on the fire, flag making, Julia Donaldson book, is at Chirk Castle. quer the land, jesters and musi● Lego Innovation Centre, Rhyl, £9 per child sand kitchen, volleyball, gloop and lots more – ● Tickets booked in advance via the National cians will entertain, and the per session, must book in advance and all for free. Be sure to bring a picnic and Trust website. townsfolk will demonstrate how life was in 7 15
clothes you don’t mind getting messy in. medieval Wales at the Beaumaris Castle Medie50 things to do before you are 11 ● August 2, Porth Eirias, Colwyn Bay – AdmisGet hands on val Festival. There will living history, crafts, and ¾ sion is free. RAWFFEST Youth Arts Festival is games, armoury talks, archery displays, sword
11 FANCY exploring the outdoors, learning a four-day event with more than fighting, music and more. new skills and trying new things? Grab Meet a famous engine 100 performances, events and ● August 26-28, adults £6.50, senior citizens, your gear and start ticking off some of the COME along and see Alice the Litactivities including a silent disco, blogging tips, students and children under 16 £4.20, family National Trust’s list. There’s a handy app to tle Welsh Engine from Pauline a crash course in film techniques and mini hovticket £19.30 (two adults and up to three keep track of all the adventures the participants Hazelwood’s childrens’ books. The ercraft-making. For 14 -25 year olds. children)
20 complete, and as they unlock new items for author will be at Llanuwchllynchllyn ●● August 17-20, Venue their digital explorer they can earn certificates station reading some of CyCymru, Llandudno – day Go dragon hunting and discover hidden challenges. the stories, demonstrattictickets from £10, full MEET the giant animatronic ● For more information visit the National Trust ing how she draws the fesfestival tickets are £50 and “dragon family” made up of daddy website – admission fees may apply. characters and involving incinclude food. Dewi, mummy Dwynwen and new 8 16
the children in activities. additions, babies Dylan and Cariad. Daddy Get creative Alice herself will be Legendary Dewi enthralled more than 120,000 visitors in a KICK off summer with a bang at the giving rides in the Dinortimes tour of Wales last year. On May 26, baby dragons Family Arts Weekend. wic Quarry carriage once VISITORS to Dylan and Cariad hatched.
There will be performances from used by royal visitors. castles in The happy dragon family will head north to some of the most exciting UK and international Alice will also be doubleNoNorth Wales will step Harlech Castle (August 1-13) and Beaumaris artists, as well as an array of workshops and heading the last train of baback in time thanks to Castle (August 15-28). activities for every generation. There will be the day, which departs LeLegends Live!, a new pro● No booking required – usual castle admission family films in the cinema, messy play in the Llanuwchllyn at 3.55pm. gr gramme of fully-immer- fees apply
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