Get into the zone for fun family days

The summer is here and KidZones are back to help parents keep children entertained during the school holidays.

Meet with friends, bring a picnic and let the kids have a ball at the free fun activities being staged in neighbourhoods right across the city by Norwich City Council’s imaginative events team.

To tie in with the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, many of the workshops will have a Chinese theme. Children will be able to make Chinese lanterns, learn about Chinese silk, play Chinese cymbals with Community Music East and make a Chinese mask or puppet.

The sports coaching will give children the opportunity to have a go at some of the sports they are seeing during the Olympics such as boxing, athletics and cycling, for which British athletes are tipped to be among the medals.

Each week a different event is held at a park or open space starting with Heartsease Towers on Wednesday 30 July and the last at Sloughbottom Park on Wednesday 27 August. Events are aimed at children under the age of 12.

Events co-ordinator Vicki Blake says: “The summer holidays can be an expensive time for parents and what’s great about these events are that they are on people’s doorsteps and free. It gives the children a brilliant day out and gives parents’ purses a rest.”

Punch & Judy will also be on tour this summer, performing for small groups of people in their local park or play area. These shows will be every Tuesday and Thursday from 29 July to 28 August with one show at 11am and the other at 2pm, targeted at the local communities who live within walking distance of the park.

Click here for the list of free events