Wa-hey, the summer holidays are upon us! Here’s our Top Ten recommendations to keep the kids, and you, entertained in the city this summer…

1. The Harris Museum and Art Gallery have a range of activities on offer for children of all ages, including their ever popular Hands on at The Harris, Sew Cool Club and Arty Explorers. Also included in their programme is Mrs Teapot’s Playtime, an exciting interactive theatre play workshop with stories, rhymes and puppetry on 23^rd August from 2-3pm and for creative 7-14 year olds there is Amazing Mosaics on 6^th August, create a fantastic mosaic design using real tiles. Quite fancy that myself! Tel: 01772 258428

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2. Ashton Park will be a hive of activity this summer, make a bee-line for their Bee-Day on 28^th July. Hunt for bees and bugs on the park, plus a craft activity. 1-3pm. Preston’s Parks Service have a variety of activities going on across the city during the summer, including the Wildlife Treasure Hunt on Moor Park on 29^th July and a Bat Walk at Fishwick Local Nature Reserve on 6^th August. Tel: 01772 906471.

3.  Top pottery painting palace Fired 4 U are running Summer School Activity Sessions for children aged 8 and over. The three hour sessions include arts, crafts and pottery painting fun, with juice and biscuits provided. Sessions run every Thursday,  check the website for further details.
4.  Fancy getting fit with your family this summer?  Preston City Council are offering three Family Fun Sessions per week over the summer. Every Monday from 26^th July there’ll be a Bug Hunt at Haslam Park, every Tuesday there’ll be Fit4Families at Moor Park and every Thursday Park and Play at Avenham Park. All sessions run from 10-11.30am and run every week until 27^th August. A parent or guardian must attend with children under the age of 16. Meet at the Pavilions. T: 01772 906188.
5. Older children and teenagers might like the spooky sounding Ghosts and Murderers Tour, a trail through old Preston with a Blue Badge Guide. Meet at Jacson Street next to the Harris Library on 19^th August. Call 07714 588068/07792 373033 for more information.
6. This year’s Riversway Festival promises to be the biggest to date with an abundance of activities for all the family. The two day festival will include children’s workshops, arts, crafts and food stalls, international street performers, live bands, Dragon Boat racing, dance and martial art demonstrations and much more. Stay on for the spectacular firework display on Saturday evening. Saturday 24^th & Sunday 25^th July 2010.
7. 25^th July is Wild Lancashire Day at Salmesbury Hall. The grounds and gardens will play host to a superb day of family fun, entertainment plus countryside displays and activities. The busy programme includes our monthly farmers market, craft and outdoor living fair, music from the Silver Bell Brass Band & Accrington Pipe Band, a traditional marching pipers, donkey rides and dog display team. Children’s fun includes storytelling, magic and face painting. 11am till 4pm. £4 for adults / children £2 (includes entry to the hall)

8. If the kids love magic head down to The Continental on Saturday 24^th & Sunday 25^th July, award winning magician Jason Rea will be performing his stand up magic show for all ages as part of this year’s Tringe Festival. Tickets are just £4 and performances start at 3.30pm each day.

9. Fulwood and West View Leisure Centres have tons of activities for children of all ages this summer, ranging from Gyminies Sessions for pre-schoolers to swimming lessons to Gymnastics Holiday Camp to Climbing Camps, soccer, athletics and more! Call West View Leisure Centre on 01772 796788 and Fulwood Leisure Centre on 01772 716085.
10. Fancy a day out of town? Trains head straight through to Halifax from Preston and situated next door to Halifax train station is the fantastic National Children’s Museum Eureka! A truly inspirational place for kids (and their parents!) it features over interactive 400 exhibits designed to inspire children aged 0-11 to learn about themselves and the world around them. This place is brilliant! Set aside an afternoon or more to truly explore, you can take a packed lunch or buy from the cafe.
If you have any recommendations for family entertainment this summer, let us know in the feedback box below. It would be great to hear your comments and suggestions!

Image Credits: Harris Museum & Art Gallery and Jason Rea.