Summer of Fun
A Child Friendly Cardiff production
After the success of last year’s Summer of Smiles and the Winter of Wellbeing, Child Friendly Cardiff are bringing the “Summer of Fun” festival to the children and young people of Cardiff across the summer holidays.
The Summer of Fun 2022 will support Cardiff’s future generations with their social, emotional, mental and physical wellbeing over the summer and continue the essential work of the city’s child friendly recovery, which began after the pandemic.
Summer of Fun Festival Line-up
Festival Site on City Hall Lawn
July 23rd to August 7th
Come and join us on City Hall Lawn for a Summer festival of fun-filled activities. Join in on various workshops, watch fantastic theatre, spectacular performances, contribute to the communal Art installation, play games, or simply dwell in the Sunshine. Child Friendly Cardiff are committed to re-engaging the children and young people of Cardiff with their City whilst putting smiles on their faces once more.
Thursday morning sessions: Although our entire festival run is inclusive and neurodiverse friendly, please note that the first session of every Thursday will be quiet sessions that tailor specifically to neurodiverse children, young people and their families. Please be aware of this when making your booking.
Citywide Activities
July 23rd to September 5th
Child Friendly Cardiff wants to reach as many children and young people as possible and support to have fun and nurture their social, emotional, mental and physical wellbeing over the Summer Holidays. To connect with as many people as possible, we are supporting a large number of organisations to provide a wide range of activities in all areas of the city.
Take a look at the map below to see what organisations are taking part in your area! Below the map is a full list of opportunities and details on how to get involved.
Maximise the map to view activities by type
Cardiff Council Road Safety Team, Maindy Leisure Centre
Cardiff Council’s Road Safety Team are offering cycle training from children ages 4 and up, this will be provided across to activities.
Learn to ride (4-8): Enabling children to maintain balance and make their bike go where they want it to. Be able to start and stop. Be able to look behind and maintain direction and control of their bike.
Each session will run from 1:30pm-2:30pm on the following dates: 25th of July, 1st of August, 8th of August, 15th of August, and 22nd of August
National Standard L1/2 cycle training courses (8+): 5x 4-day courses. Each course will be held at 10am-12pm (Monday-Thursday) starting on the following dates: 25th of July, 1st of August, 8th of August, 15th of August, and 22nd of August. The course will look like this:
- Day 1: skill and bike assessment on 1st
- Day 2: start an on-road journey pass a parked car and side road,
- Day 3: Turn left from major road to minor road and right from minor road to Major Road, U turn.
- Day 4: Turn left from minor road to Major Road & Right from Major Road to minor road
For more information and to be added to the waiting list for future events contact rs01@cardiff.gov.uk
Cardiff Sailing Centre, Cardiff Bay
During the session, you will jump on-board our J/80 keelboat ‘MoJo’ which is one of the world’s most popular 26ft one-design keelboats.
One of our experienced and friendly instructors will join you on-board to ‘show you the ropes’ and introduce you to the exciting world of sailing.
You will go sailing around the beautiful Cardiff Bay and you will begin to learn what sailing is all about. You will get to control the sails as well as get a chance to steer the boat, all in a safe and fun environment.
This session is now sold out, for more information about non-funded opportunites https://www.cbwac.com/sailing/
Aqua Park Adventure (8+) | Antur Parc Dŵr (8+)
Aqua Park Cardiff | Parc Dŵr Caerdydd
The Aqua Park is an obstacle course on water, where participants can slide, splash and climb their way around, having fun in a safe environment.
Slip, slide, splash and share a lifetime of laughs!
Our inflatable Aqua Park has climbing walls, trampolines, balance bars, slides, blast bags and monkey bars, making it the ultimate day out for groups, families, adults, children age 8+ and adrenaline junkies alike!
This event is fully booked. For more information about non-funded opportunities visit Aqua Park’s Site
Young Driver Training Limited , Maindy Leisure Centre
A 30 minute driving experience for children aged between 10 and 17 years of age. Drivers must meet the required height of 1.42m to participate in the experience. This experience is available at the special price of just £12 per person.
For more information and booking visit the Young Driver website
Sport Cardiff & Welsh Triathlon, Cardiff International Pool
A short swim in the pool at Cardiff International Pool followed by a short cycle around the sports village finished with a short run along Cardiff Bay trail. Please bring a bike but if you do not have one, one will be provided. Helmets are compulsory at this event. Please bring any refreshments that you may need for after the activity.
Urdd Sports Department in Cardiff will be running a variety of sporting activities through the Medium of Welsh throughout the Summer Holidays. The provision will include Full day sports camps in a variety of locations including Grange Pavillion, Glantaf, Gwaelod y Garth and Bro Edern for children aged 6 to 11.
We will also be running 2-hour family fun sessions across 5 local parks including Llandaff Fields, Heath, The Marl, Trelai and Hailey.
In addition to this we will be running intensive swimming lesson across 3 local leisure centres [Maindy, Splott and Eastern].
A variety of sessions will be available for females aged 14-25 to attend which will include Breakdancing, Jump Fitness and Gym sessions. We provide inclusive and accessible opportunities for children and young people to join in, experience, and develop sporting skills in a fun and welcoming environment.
As part of Cardiff Council’s, Summer of Fun, we’re inviting children and anyone aged 12+ to come along to Wales Millennium Centre and scale the walls of our iconic building in Cardiff Bay.
Abseiling sessions will be held on Saturday 3 September and Sunday 4 September from 11am to 5pm.
You’ll be able to book your time slot in advance or by turning up on the day – available slots permitting.
Under 18’s must be accompanied by parental/guardian/support worker and must have consent.
For more information and booking visit WMC’s website
Are you 14–17 years old and interested in making theatre that is relevant to the world you live in today?
The Centre is excited to introduce a brand-new free youth theatre programme where you’ll learn exciting new theatre and performance skills in a friendly, inclusive space.
Along the way you’ll develop your understanding of all the elements that go into making great theatre – from researching and developing ideas through to set design and delivering a stellar performance.
Our course is led by professional practitioners who will be on hand to share their unique insights from the world of theatre, giving you the perfect springboard into the booming arts culture scene in Wales.
Find out more and book tickets here Youth Theatre | Wales Millennium Centre (wmc.org.uk)
Arts and Culture Programme (Arts Active)
July 23rd to September 5th
Throughout July and August Arts Active are working with partners across the city to run a range of fun arts events and activities for children, young people and families.
Our showcase event will be the Out of Doors Live at the Summer of Fun festival on the City Hall Lawn where from 23 July – 7 August we will have a packed programme of arts activities and entertainment. As well as this we will be heading out into community centres, youth centres and leisure centres across Cardiff to offer further fun arts activities for all ages.
Also look out for some of our regular summer events at St David’s Hall – The Tiddly Prom for the under 5s and the Family Prom both offer families the chance to see wonderful live music with stories, characters and interaction to engage and enthral the audience.
We will be regularly updating the Arts Active Summer of Fun programme of activities on our website, so please keep checking www.artsactive.org.uk. Also we’ll be posting more detailed information on these fun events via our social media.
Current performances available:
The Curious Case of Aberlliw – English performances
10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm & 3.30p on 24, 25 & 26 August
Trailer: https://youtu.be/9G2D_teoP6Y
