Beat the summer blues

A series of articles all this week giving you plenty of ideas for summer hols fun. Today we focus on eight to 11-year-olds.

Dudley

A taste of holiday fun is up for grabs at Broadfield House Glass Museum in Compton Drive Kingswinford during July and August with the opportunity to make ice-creams or lollies using different craft materials. The Juniors at Museums sessions will be held on August 28 and 29, cost £2.25 and include the chance to make a magnetic fish. Call 01384 815575.

A chance to do as the Swedish do at the Next Generartion Club, in Brierley Hill, with a racquet game showdown for eight to 11-year-olds. An idea imported from Sweden, the sessions offer the opportunity to play table-tennis, badminton, squash and tennis in one four-hour session. The activities will be held on August 9 and 16 at a cost of £1.50. More information is available from 07896 661257.

Coseley swimming baths will be making a splash with two weeks of swimming classes for junior beginners three-times in August. The week-long course features five 30-minute sessions held Monday to Friday and cost £19 per child. Two courses are available running from August 6 to 10 and from August 13 to 17. More information is available from 01384 812857 or 01384 812860.

Trampolining sessions will bounce into view with one hour sessions on offer at Stourbridge's Crystal Lesiure Centre in July and August. The Bell Street leisure centre will hold four sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 24 to August 9, costing £3.80. More information is available by calling 01384 812910.

A gymnastics class is available for children aged up to 12 at Crystal Leisure Centre, in Stourbridge, with three one-hour sessions ready to limber up. The Wednesday classes will be held on July 25, August 1 and 8, at a cost of £3.80 per child.

Youngsters with disabilities are invited to specially-organised activities under supervision by qualified staff at Crystal Leisure Centre, in Stourbridge. Sports include trampolining, basketball, football and parachute games and can be booked through the development team on 01384 815594. Sessions for children aged eight or over will be held on July 26 and August 30 from 1pm to 4pm and cost £6 per child.

Children aged ten or older can stick it to their friends at a hockey academy in Brierley Hill during August. The Dell Stadium, in Bryce Road, will host several sessions starting from August 6 to 15, with each day featuring intensive coaching followed by a match. Youngsters should bring their own packed lunch and wear suitable clothing. The activity costs £5 per day, £12 per three days and £20 for all six days if pre-booked. Call 01384 815594.

Football sessions will kick off at Dudley Leisure Centre in July and August for youngsters aged eight to 12. The eight sessions start on July 24 and run until August 17, from 10am to 12pm, at a cost of £3. Children should bring their own refreshments. Call 01384 815594.

Five-day multi-skills camps for sports-mad youngsters aged eight to 11 will be held at Halesowen's Windsor Sports College in July and August. Activities at the Richmond Street school include tri-golf, hockey, football, cricket and athletics taking place from 10am to 12pm starting the weeks beginning July 23 and 30. The cost is £7 per day or £32 for all five days if pre-booked. Call 0121 602 7593.

A primary school in Woodsetton will run coaching sessions and trips to local attractions throughout the summer holidays. Bramford Primary School will host sessions in basketball, football, cricket, netball, rugby and tennis with qualified experts. For more information call 01384 818915.

Creative youngsters can get involved in a two-week drama workshop at Netherton Arts Centre where they can learn new skills such as acting, dancing and learning to play music. The Create 5 sessions will run at Netherton Arts Centre, in Northfield Road, between July 23 and August 3 between 10am and 12.30pm and 1pm and 3pm.

In the first week children will create a performance inspired by the film Grease and in the second week they will perform a play with masks. The course costs £2.75 for a half-day or £20 for the week. For more information call Maggie Lewis on 01384 813904.

Young nature lovers can try their hand at pond dipping at a Quarry Bank beauty spot. The event will be held at the Saltwells Nature Reserve, in Saltwells Road, on August 2 between 10am and 11am and 2pm and 3pm. The event costs nothing, although booking is required. Children must be accompanied by adults and no dogs are allowed.

Children can make a cast of their hand or foot in glass as a treasured keepsake for their parents at a Kingswinford museum. The handcasting event is being held at the Broadfield House Glass Museum, in Compton Drive, on August 4 between 12noon and 4pm. The course costs £12 and booking is required. Call 01384 812745.

Artistic children can learn how to make shells and fish at an event at Dudley Musuem and Art Gallery. The event will be held at the St James' Road venue on August 14 and 15 with sessions running at 11am, noon and 1pm at £2.25. Call 01384 815575.

Wolverhampton

If it is playgrounds you are looking for, you need look no further than Weston Park.

The adventure playground there is one of the best in the region, although unlike other play areas in the region this one isn't free.

But for the admission charge, there are plenty of attractions that can provide a whole day's entertainment for the whole family.

Whether your kids like a bike ride in the country, enjoy a picnic with friends or playing games with their family, the 1,000-acre Capability Brown-designed parkland allows kids the freedom to run wild within a safe environment.

For those who want someone else to take the strain, the Weston Park Miniature Railway travels through some of the many attractions to be found in the Parkland, including Temple Wood and the Paine Bridge over Temple Pool.

Refreshments are available in the main Courtyard which also houses giant games of chess and Jenga. Alternativelym in warm weather you can enjoy your own picnic in the picnic area next to the newly planted Yew Hedge Maze and Orchard.

The Park gates open at 11am with last admissions at 5pm, whilst the House opens at 1pm with last admission 4.30pm.

Admission for the Park and Gardens is £4.50 for adults and £2.50 for children. For an extra £3 per adult or £2.50 per child the admission can also include the house. Alternatively a family ticket (two adults and three children or one adults and four children) costs £18.00.

To plan your day in advance you can download a map of the estate. Visit www.weston-park.com or call 01952 852100.

Wolverhampton Art Gallery has a host of events throughout the summer. The venue itself is great for a visit with children, with interactive art that is great fun for the whole family. There is a great cafe to charge your batteries as well.

There are a number of special events as well. On July 25 from 10.30am-12pm, kids can create their own flowers in a workshop inspired by the bright blooms of Choi Jeong Hwa's Welcome exhibition.

July 26 from 10.30am to 12pm sees youngsters creating their own masks with local scultor Craig White. On August 1, from 10.30am to 12pm, a badge making session inspired by the gallery's Pop Art exhibition will take place.

And on August 4 there is a contemporary view on Victorian objects called Hidden Treasures, which runs from 12pm to 4pm, also with sign language interpretation. Call 01902 552055 for details.

Newhampton Arts Centre in Whitmore Reans will be welcoming hundreds of youngsters when it hosts the All Aboard Kids Arts Fun Day. The event on July 14 is the culmination of a year's hard work by school pupils across the city. It will feature lots of performers including Gazebo Theatre and Sonia Sabri Youth Dance and many workshops for all the family to get involved in. Entrance is £1 for adults and 50p for children. Open 10.30am to 5pm. Call 01902 572090

The open air touring theatre group Illyria will visit Weston Park this summer to re-tell the heroic tales of Robin Hood. The show will take place on August 4, when gates will open at 5pm, with the play beginning at 6.30pm. Tickets cost £12 for adults and £9 for children. To book call 01952 852100.

Athletics is fun - and good for children too. Children aged between eight and 15 can get an introduction to all the different athletics disciplines and develop their skills with qualified coaches. The course costs £30 and runs from August 20 to 24 from 9.30am to 1.30pm at Aldersley Leisure Village. Participants will receive a goody bag, T-shirt and certificate. More details are available on 01902 556220.

Warstones Holiday Club is a great place to drop your kids off and escape for some peace and quiet. It runs throughout the summer holidays at the Warstones Primary School, in Penn, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except the August Bank Holiday Monday). It takes youngsters aged from five to 11 years, offering fun, games and activities both indoor and out. Charges are £15 per day, £8 per half day, with concessions for brothers and sisters. Contact Warstones Primary School, 01902 558787 until Friday or 07837 268756.

Playkidz holiday club. Games, sports and competitions will entertain youngsters at Compton Youth Centre, Henwood Road, for £15 per day. Sessions run from 8.30am to 5.30pm between July 23 and August 16. Call 07866 466229

Springdale holiday club is running a series of fun events between August 13 and 17 between 10am and noon. The events are Christian-based, but are open to all faiths, and take place at Springdale Methodist Church, Warstones Road. It costs £1 per day. More details are available from Lesley Cook on 01902 330614.

The United Reform Church, in Lea Road, Penn Fields, is running games, sports, dance, music, arts and crafts sessions between July 23 and August 17. It runs between 10am and 2pm and sessions cost £2 per day. More details are available from Parminder Sroy on 0790 4162348.

South Staffordshire Council's SUSSED summer programme offers activities for five to 12-year-olds, ranging from cartoon workshops to street dance. Activities this year are taking place across the district at Wombourne, Codsall, Penrkidge and Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centres, South Staffordshire Libraries and Baggeridge Country Park, as well as Sussed going Out & About touring the district.

Out & About this year will be visiting Bishops Wood, Brewood, Coven, Wombourne, Essington, Perton, Pattingham, Wheaton Aston, Featherstone and Great Wyrley. Finishing the summer holidays off in style will be the Big Summer Event – a free one day event taking place at Baggeridge Country Park on Thursday, August 30. Bookings on 01902 696 519.

Pirate week runs from August 6 at Bantock House in Finchfield. On August 7, Jamaican IndependenceDay celebrations will take place throughout the day with poetry, dance and story telling. A fancy dress competition will be held for the best dressed pirate and judging starts at 12. A treasure trail will also be held for youngsters to discover buried treasure around the house.

On August 8, another treasure hunt will be held in the grounds. That night at 7pm, a lively action packed show will be performed set in the days when pirates sailed the Seven Seas. Tickets are £8 and £5 concessions. All other pirate events cost £2 and call 01902 552195 for more details. These event are also suitable for children over six.

Go Kidz Go indoor adventure playground, Cullwick Street, Wolverhampton. The site, which includes a ball park and slides opens from 10am to 8pm weekdays and from noon to 8pm on weekends. Admission during the summer holidays is £4.95 for 90 minutes and £5.95 for a whole day. Call 01902 408068 for details.

Sandwell and Birmingham

Birmingham Botanical Gardens is a treasure for the West Midlands – a delight for adults and children alike. There are plenty of special events throughout the summer holidays.

Run between Monday July 23 and Tuesday July 31 workshops aimed at children aged between four and 12 will be running at the site.

The children will be split into two groups, according to age and will be given the chance to create their own unique artwork using clay and printing using natural materials - inspired by the environment around them. Each session will last for two hours and costs £5.50.

The Botanical Gardens is also running a nature summer week, starting on August 13. The workshops will be packed full of activities with youngsters given the chance to make creepy crawlies, flowers, weave willow and enjoy claywork.

The nature summer week costs £30 for five half-day sessions. All workshops must be pre-booked by calling the gardens reception on 0121 454 1860.

There are plenty of sporting opportunities for children this summer. Contact the venues for details of the events below.

Fit4Kidz fitness sessions are being held at Haden Hill Leisure Centre, Barrs Road, Cradley Heath, every Tuesday for six to 10-year-olds, 4.15-5.45pm.

Judo sessions are at Harry Mitchell Centre, eight-12-year-olds, Mondays, 6.30-7.30pm.

Karate sessions are at Smethwick Swimming Centre, Thimblemill Lane, for children aged eight and over, Mondays, from 7-8.30pm

West Bromwich Albion football camps, for eight to 14-year-olds, are being held at Wodensborough High School, Hydes Road, Wednesbury, July 30 and August 2, £36.

A West Bromwich Albion goalkeeping camp will be held at Thimblemill Recreation Centre, Thimblemill Road, Smethwick, on July 23, for eight to 16-year-olds, 10am-noon, £15.

West Bromwich Albion disability sports session for children aged eight to 16, will be held at the community hall, Halfords Lane, West Bromwich, July 23, 10am-2pm, £10.

Cricket sessions at Dartmouth Cricket Club, Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, for eight to 16-year-olds, July 23, from 10am-12noon, £10.

Dance sessions will be held at St Michael's High School, Throne Road, Rowley Regis, for eight to 16-year-olds, August 23 and 27, 10am-12noon, £40.

A Minibeast Hunt will be held at Birmingham Nature Hunt, Pershore Road, August 8, 2.30pm, £1.90 for adults, who can bring a child for free.

Fishing lessons are at Sutton Park, Birmingham, for children aged eight to 11, from July 25 to August 29, starting at 11am. Call 0121 344 3333.

People can learn how to encourage wildlife into their gardens at Birmingham Nature Centre, Pershore Road, August 15, from 2pm. Admission costs £1.90 for adults, who can bring a child for free.

Walsall

Learn all about small animals, birds, reptiles and insects in fun session with the Animal Man, touring Walsall libraries throughout the summer holidays. Log on to www.walsall,gov.uk/libraries for details.

Play games including dodgeball, frisbee and handball at Blakenall Community Association on July 31-August 2 10am-2pm.

Learn how to draw with cartoon illustrator Graham Higgins at South Walsall Library on August 2, Darlaston Library August 7, Pleck Library August 7, mobile library Fishley Lane, Bloxwich, stop August 23 4.35-5.35pm; mobile library Shannon Drive, Brownhills, stop August 23 4.35-5.35pm and mobile library Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Bentley, stop August 23 10.15-11am.

Mini water polo for children at Walsall Gala Baths on July 23 and 30 and August 6, 13 and 20.

Budding snappers can take part in a photography project to capture the essence of their neighbourhood. Sessions will take place at Aldridge Library on August 2, 14 and 16 11am-1pm. Places must be booked on 01922 743601.

Find out how to use a digital camera at a workshop at Collingwood Centre on August 22 from 10.30am to 4pm.

The trim trail at Walsall Arboretum is great fun for all the family and good for you as well. The park is a great place for young children to run off steam.

Hear first hand from police, firefighters and paramedics about how to dealwith an energency. Session at Goscote Valley Resource Centre on August 1310.30am.

Basic Judo at Blakenall Community Association July 31-August 2 10am-12pm.

Kidderminster and Wyre Forest

Every day from July 30 to August 24, Kids Klubs at Holy Trinity School, Kidderminster and Civic Centre, Stourport, 9am - 3pm, children will be able to take part in a variety of events including arts, crafts and sports all programmed by an energetic and lively team of playleaders

Habberley Valley in Bewdley is a country park with loads going on over the summer. On July 23, Life in the Undergrowth about creepy crawlies live in the undergrowth and grasslands, 2-4pm, £2.50. On July 24, children can meet fairytale characters and solve riddles, 2pm, £2.50.

Kidderminster tennis club, learn how to play from July 23 to 27, at £15.

Spennells Valley Nature Reserve, Kidderminster, mini monster day on July 25.

Hurcott Nature Reserve, Kidderminster, Puzzle day, 2pm to 4pm, July 27, £2.50.

Chilren can test their survival skills at Hurcott Nature Reserve on July 31, 6pm to 10pm, £2.50.

Stourport Sports Club, Kingsway – Athletics, Norwich Union star track event, August 6 to 10. Children are invited to take part in this week-long course to learn new skills, 10am to 1pm, £20.

Bat night at Hurcott Nature Reserve. Children are invited to see these nocturnal creatures as they hunt for food over the gleaming waters of the Hurcott Pool on Aug 22, 8pm to 10pm, £2.50.

Staffordshire

Kids in Staffordshire are being encouraged to swap their computer games for a real life interactive adventure this summer, as the Birches Valley Forest Centre near Rugeley announces its new Summer Forest Fundays programme.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning from July 23 to August 29 the Forestry Commission is offering a wide variety of fun, hands on activities to entertain and bring children's imaginations to life.

From making your own mud monster and giant tree goblins to hunting for dragon's and fairies deep in the forest, there's an activity to suit the most intrepid of forest explorers. The Birches Valley education team will also be on hand to help youngsters discover the fascinating world of minibeasts and other forest creatures.

All activities can be enjoyed by the whole family, as part of the Forestry Commission's Active Woods Campaign to get people out and active in the woods.

The highlights of the Summer Forest Fundays programme includes Indian Brave Day on July 25, when kids will help create an Indian Brave settlement deep in the forest and dress up in costumes. They can expect to get muddy in this hands on mission.

Dinostoric on August 1 will give kids the chance take part in an action-packed dinosaur expedition, create a rock village and make scary masks.

There's a touch of fairytale magic on August 8 with the How to Keep a Dragon Happy event. Kids will learn about the forest's dragons and fairies and hunt for secret clues to find our how to 'de-grump' a dragon.Kids can become a fully-fledged Mini Ranger on August 17, by taking part in the Ranger Day event. They can join one of Cannock's Wildlife Rangers on a morning walk around the forest visiting animal homes and looking for wildlife.

The climax to the summer events is the Pirate Treasure Hunt on August 29. Kids can join 'One Eyed Woolley' and 'Long Johns Sarah' on Witches Wood Island to fight off the zombie curse and help return the hidden treasure to its rightful owners.

For a full list of all 16 Summer Forest Fundays at Cannock Chase Forest call the Birches Valley education team 01889 586593. Activities will be held from 10.30am to 12.00pm at the Birches Valley Education Centre. The cost of each activity is only £3.50 per child. Children under eight must be accompanied by an adult.

An Aladdin workshop is being held at Prince of Wales Centre, Church Street, Cannock, July 30-August 11, with show on August 10. For children over the age of eight. 01543 578762.

Cheslyn Hay Leisure Centre, in Saredon Road, and Penkridge Leisure Centre, in Cannock Road, are hosting daily events as part of South Staffordshire Council's SUSSED scheme throughout the summer. They include gymnastics and netball courses, puppet making, making robots. For full programme call 01922 417790.

The Museum of Cannock Chase in Valley Road, Hednesford, will host workshops each Wednesday. They will be making wallets, purses and pencil cases on July 25, making foam creatures on August 1, creating glass lanterns and lights on August 8 and flying flish on August 15 plus their own jewels on August 22.

Free swimming at Burntwood Leisure Centre by using the words summer splashtastic between July 23 to August 31, 01543 308810; and Friary Grange Leisure Centre, Lichfield, August 6-31, by calling 01543 308782.

Playschemes will be held at various locations throughout Lichfield district from July 23- August 24. Activities, trips and coaching sessions. Fees starts from £30. 01543 308765.

Activities and workshops at parks in Burntwood, organised by Lichfield District Council's Positive Features and Youth Development: Chase Terrace Park, 2pm to 4pm; July 30; August 6, 13 and 20. Coppy Nook Park, 2pm to 4pm and August 1, 8, 15 and 22. Chasewater Park, main entrance, 2pm to 4pm, August 3, 10, 17, 24.

Free workshops at Burntwood Youth Centre, 01543 308835. DJ workshop, 2pm to 4pm, August 2. Nail Art workshop, 2pm to 4pm, August 9. Circus Skills workshop, 2pm to 4pm, August 16. Breakdancing, 2pm to 4pm, August 23.

Mighty Mambos for five to 11-year-olds; sessions held at village and church halls, and community centres. Call 01543 308765.

Young Rep Workshops at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre. For eight to 12 year olds. July 30 to August 4. Cost is £90 per student and a reduction to £70 for all subsequent siblings.