Explore and fire up imaginations before school starts once more
SCHOOL holidays are made for exploring and adventuring, a time to encourage children and young people to abandon digital screens and TVS and to fire up their imaginations and creativity, before the routine of school returns.
At The Cheltenham Trust we recognise the positive impact exploring, imagining and being creative has on young minds and bodies and their overall wellbeing. The trust, a not for profit charity, has created a vibrant programme of activities, sports and events, many of which are free to enjoy, across its venues for young visitors, and their families, to go on their own adventures.
At Pittville Pump Room there’s three, free, drop-in sessions for all ages starting Monday October 24, all from 10am to midday.
On Monday October 24 Tristan Glover is back with his popular circus skills, youngsters can have a go at juggling balls, diablos, plate spinning and cups and hoops. The workshops were a real hit during the summer at the platinum jubilee celebrations and Retro Americana festival with Cheltenham’s young budding circus performers.
On Wednesday October 26 artist Zed in the Clouds will be helping aspiring young street artists to get started with basic paint spray techniques.
On Friday October 28 the theme is all things spooky with a Halloween crafting session led by the Gloucestershire Federation of WIS. Why not drop in with your children, and while they’re absorbed in designing their own greetings cards or learning a traditional board game, boost your wellbeing with a well-deserved relaxing coffee and cake in the Heritage Deco Café.
Free drop-in activities for all ages will also be available at The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum to encourage young minds to explore and try something new. How many children will have ever been close enough to see a badger’s markings or appreciate the size of a wild hare? The Wilson has brought pieces from the taxidermy collection into the gallery, in their cases, for the new, exciting, Into the Night event sessions on Saturday October 22 and Sunday October 23 from 11am to 5pm when young visitors can take a torch and venture into the dimly lit Foyle Learning Gallery to view the nocturnal creatures while making notes on an activity sheet for young naturalists.
There’s a spooky theme on Saturday October 29, at The Wilson’s Halloween party from 4pm until 6pm. Come dressed in your spookiest costume for Halloween games and activities for children aged five to 11.
At Leisure at Cheltenham there’s plenty to keep young bodies, and minds, happy with play time on the bouncy castles and in the soft play zone, where they can safely let off steam.
Sporty youngsters will enjoy the Active Adventures holiday programme which runs from Monday October 24 to Friday October 28, daily from 8.30am to 5.30pm, for children aged eight to 12, who will take part in different activities every day, including football, tag rugby, basketball, swimming and the chance to try scuba diving with expert tuition. There are sessions for mums, dads and children to keep active and have some fun.
Why not exercise together as a family at the new family zumba session on Wednesday October 26, 10.45am, suitable for age seven and over.
Take your family fitness levels up a gear with a high intensity interval training session that you can all do together under the guidance of a trained instructor. The sessions are on Thursday October 27 and Saturday October 29 for a 10.30am start.
And for the families who love the water, book an hour of inflatable fun in the pool. On Friday October 28, starting at 1.15pm, enjoy kinds of challenges and races in a safe, supervised environment.
As a lead provider of culture, heritage, sport and leisure in Cheltenham, the trust’s free events are inclusive and open to everyone. The trust can provide these activities from donations received including customers that generously round up their bill at the till in the cafes and bars or by leaving a donation in any of the five venues that we run. All donations and grants help the trust to reinvest and provide free events for the community helping to improve learning, health and wellbeing.
So this half term holiday why not encourage the young people in your household or family to go exploring and to find their creativity. We look forward to helping them to enjoy their Halloween school holiday adventure.
More information about all half term activities can be found at cheltenhamtrust.org.uk at cheltenhammuseum.org.uk and leisure@cheltenham. com