So, we’re half way through the summer holidays, the weather has been temperamental and the kids even more so.

Do we suffer the guilt of letting them sit in front of TV and computer screens for hours on end?  Or do we blow the budget with expensive days out to theme parks and the like?  

Or should we simply just wave a white flag and hit the gin at lunchtime?

Thankfully you may not have to resort to such drastic measures to survive the remainder of the school holidays, as Haverhill offers cheap, local entertainment opportunities for all ages and all weathers.

Haverhill Library

For those rainy days, or when you just need some peace and quiet, why not encourage the children to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge?

The challenge runs between 1st July and 6th September so there is still plenty of time to take part. Children aged 4 to 11 years are challenged to read six books during the holidays in this project run by Suffolk Libraries.  And if your child hasn’t got involved yet there is no pressure to get through six mammoth volumes in the time remaining.  In fact they can read any book they like – fact books, joke books, picture books, audio books and eBooks all count towards the six, just as long as they are borrowed from the library.

Categories including Cool Tech, Animal Magic, People Power, Action and Adventure are included in this year's theme of Record Breakers and children can collect rewards, stickers and a medal as they progress through the challenge.

Many children find their reading skills ‘dip’ during the holidays and this is the ideal opportunity for them to broaden their skills and boost their confidence.  

More information and a link to the Reading Challenge website with lots of help and ideas can be found on our Events page.

Haverhill Library is also hosting Sunday craft activities throughout the summer where the kids can get involved in weaving, making sun catchers or creating pine cone owls and much more.

For the budding musician Ukulele Taster sessions are being held, again at Haverhill Library for 7 to 11 year olds.  Instruments are provided but places are limited so please check before turning up.

Mr Bean's Circus Workshop  promises to be an exciting day for the children! Taking place on Wednesday 26th August spaces are limited so call or visit Haverhill Library to book your childs place and to find out more.

East Town Park

Of course the children need to get some fresh air and let off some steam over the summer months, regardless of the weather (and let’s face it, some of them revel in the idea of splashing through puddles and rolling in the mud!)

Explore Outdoor Summer Holiday Adventure Days give them the opportunity to do just that.  Aimed at children aged 8 and above the Adventure Days take place at East Town Park and cost just £16 per child per day. Activities include Geocaching (treasure hunt to you and me!), climbing, den building (who doesn’t love a den!), forest games, campfire cooking, biking, archery, orienteering, biking and much more.

Let the kids explore the great outdoors and discover their inner Bear Grylls during sessions that run from 9.00am to 5.00pm on Mondays and Thursdays in Haverhill up to and including Thursday 10th September.  Check our Events page for more details and contact details. 

Also at East Town Park on Friday 28th August is the opportunity to explore in the dark.  Let the ranger guide you through the park listening out for the creatures of the night with the aid of a bat detector and a moth lamp.  This is a great opportunity to show nervous children that  the dark and the creatures that come out with the stars are fascinating not frightening.

Refreshments will be available and it’s advisable to wear warm clothes and suitable footwear.  This is a very popular event and it’s essential to book in advance.  Children go free but must be accompanied by an adult  for whom the charge is £3 per ticket.

The TreeHouse at Dizzy’s 

The Tree House at Dizzy’s Day Nursery in Haverhill certainly know how to keep the little ones occupied - and educated - this summer.  Currently running their ‘community week’ the children will be visiting the Library, Tesco and a home for the elderly.  

Next week’s culture week will be exploring the cuisines, traditions and cultures of India, England, Germany, Italy and France and this will be followed by Party Week with Bouncy castle fun, a disco and face painting day and making a music video!

For more details and to check availability go to our Events page and click on the link.

Haverhill Leisure Centre

Older children aged 13 to 19 years can get their Teenage Kicks with free Friday evening football sessions at Haverhill Leisure Centre.  No need to book, just turn up and play 7.00pm to 9.00pm on Friday 21st and/or 28th August.

Haverhill Leisure Centre has a varied programme of ongoing events and activities with something for all the family and you can find plenty of details on their website.

The Centre for Computing History

Of course you will want to spend some time with the children, as a family (won’t you?!) so why not try the Family Gaming Night on Saturday 29th August from 6:00pm until 10:00pm at The Centre for Computing History.Now whilst the kids may be a whizz on the Wii, excel at the Xbox and have perfected their PS3 skills, they may find themselves being beaten by mum and dad at the delightfully old school (and still the best!) Pac-Man, Space Invaders and Tetris.

The Centre of Computing History is also hosting a number of events over the summer weeks guaranteed to appeal to young techies.  There are days dedicated to learning programming and coding, How to Build your own Adventure Game, a computer History Tour and a Guided Tour of Video Games and you can find dates and details on our Events pages.

For fun filled, family friendly, budget conscious entertainment make sure you keep checking our Events pages. You’ll find everything from comedy nights, car boot sales, family fun days, sporting events and much more.  With luck you’ll find enough to see you through to September with all your marbles intact!

Click here to view all the latest events and activities taking place in and around Haverhill over the coming weeks.