With schools now closed for the holidays, we take a look at some of the events and activities taking place in August and September for.

Miniature railway by the river

From Monday 25th July the Riverside Miniature Railway in St Neots opened for the summer holidays, operating every Wednesday from 12pm to 3pm. No reservations are necessary and rides cost £1. Children under 2 and well-behaved dogs are free and are also welcome.

Our place in space

Our Place in Space is an 8.5km solar system sculpture trail designed by artist and author Oliver Jeffers, incorporating a program of free activities.

The trail stretches from Midsummer Common in the heart of town and along the river to the Woodland Trust’s Cow Hollow Wood at nearby Waterbeach. It presents scale models of planets of the solar system. Until August 29.

St Neots Museum

An abundance of events at the museum this summer, including free Lego activities and a museum trail, clay making, bag printing and watercolor printing.

Reservation essential (except Museum Trail). To book and find out more, visit: www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/

Barracuda Activity Day Camps (Huntingdon)

Day camps filled with activities such as archery, swimming, dancing and more are being held this summer at Hinchingbrooke School. With prices from £40, visit www.barracudas.co.uk/camps/huntingdon/ to find out more.

Groups in the park

Little Paxton Parish Council staged their first Bands in the Park concert at QEII Playing Field on July 23, featuring Somersham Town Band. Bring deckchairs and picnic blankets to enjoy the next Musical Afternoon in the Park on August 13 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. for a performance by the City of Cambridge Brass Club.

Somersham Town Band kicked off the Little Paxton Parish Council concerts in the park concerts.
– Credit: Peter Hagger

St Neots Town Council also hosted groups in the park events, which started on May 15, taking place every Sunday afternoon until September 11 outside the Ambiance Cafe.

Sawtry Light Factory – Kids Vacation Club

A full week of activities for children starting at 10am on Monday August 1st at Sawtry Methodist Church, with games, stories and songs leading up to the grand finale at 10:30am on Sunday August 7th. Registration will take place at the Methodist Church between 9:30 and 11 a.m. on Saturday morning.

Pond soak

Dipping in the pond at Hinchingbrooke County Park will allow youngsters to discover what lurks in the lakes. Tickets are available from £3 at www.ticketsource.co.uk/hcp/pond-dipping/e-pydvqk for August 25 and September 1.

JD Huntingdon bouncy castles

A bouncy castle and inflatables for children to jump on can be found in Hinchingbrooke County Park Monday through Friday July 26 through September 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For £5 you get a wristband for unlimited play with toilets and an on-site cafe with picnics welcome.

Hinchingbrooke National Park

The park is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and from August 24 at 10 a.m. to August 25 at 5 p.m. there will be a party. Bouncy castles, food stalls, a dog show, archery and more will be on offer. The park also hosts many other activities during the holidays, and you can enjoy picnics or use the public fire pit and three barbecue stands around the site.

Paxton Pit Nature Reserve

In the grounds of the Paxton Pits Environmental Education Centre, several summer activities are offered for children of all ages over the age of three. On August 3/5/8/10, children can enjoy the animated Mini-Wild Wardens, a dedicated family nature reserve to manage and enjoy fun activities.

Visit www.wildlifebcn.org/events for the full lineup of activities and booking details.

Grafham Water Park

A water park with over 25 inflatables can be located on Grafham Water this summer and is open until September.

The Aqua Group has launched a water park at Grafham Water with over 25 inflatables.
– Credit: Aqua Park Group

All visitors must be able to swim and over the age of six. For a one hour session, tickets cost £20 and can be booked by visiting www.aquaparkgroup.co.uk/grafham.

Sports sessions for children

Huntingdon District Council is hosting free multi-sport activities for children at the QEII Playground, Little Paxton, from 2-4 p.m. The activities are aimed at children aged 5 to 11 and the next event will take place on August 24.

Huntingdonshire Child and Family Centers

Several contextual activity events for children aged 0-8 and for some activities 7-11 will take place in St Neots, Ramsey, Yaxley and more throughout August.

There is a small charge for some groups, but low-income families can get free admission.

Details and locations of several children’s pop-up events taking place in Huntingdonshire in August
– Credit: Cambridgeshire Child and Family Centers

Call 01480 358340 to book or find out more.

Great Fen Summer Sessions – Creatures of the Night

On August 19 and 26, kids can see how the Ramsey Heights Nature Preserve comes alive after dark from 7-9 p.m. To book, visit: https://www.wildlifebcn.org/events.

Norris Museum

The Norris Museum in St Ives organizes a multitude of family craft days and workshops during the August school holidays. From themed art activities to developing mosaic skills, visit https://the-norris-museum.arttickets.org.uk/ to book, and from £10 choose a workshop of your choice.

Hamerton Zoo

Hamerton Zoo in Huntingdon offers plenty of family fun this summer. In addition to a large collection of animals, visitors can enjoy the extended KT Express Railroad train, which runs through the new dinosaur exhibit. To learn more, visit: www.hamertonzoopark.com/things-to-do.

Canoe Rental in Millside

Hire Canadian canoes from Old Town or sit on the best kayaks in Godmanchester and cruise the routes downriver or upriver along the Great Ouse River. Kayaks and canoes cost £15 an hour, and to book and find out more visit www.millsidecanoehire.co.uk.

If you or your organization are running any summer events for children and families that we missed, please contact [email protected] and let us know what’s going on.