School's out – and there are literally hundreds of family friendly things to do in Lancashire this summer
From play sessions at our Family Hubs and HAF Clubs to story time at libraries, Lancashire County Council has more than 400 activities on offer this #LancsSummer that won't break the bank.
At the council's 29 family hubs, there's everything from play sessions to reading groups, from family support to festival days.
And the authority's 64 Lancashire Libraries are offering hundreds of activities, ranging from reading trail drop ins to Lego clubs and challenges, and arts and crafts.
The council's dedicated YouthZone also offers groups and support for teens and young people, while the council's museums, such as Queen Street Mill in Briercliffe and Judges' Lodgings in Lancaster, have lots of budget friendly, fun and interactive things to do.
At the Skelmersdale Family Hub, children can get an hour and a half of pure summer fun at the Mini Move and Groove session every Monday morning.
Dad of three Mark, whose two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Annie-Joan attended a recent session where they enjoyed everything from painting and playing to singing and biking, said:
"This is the first time we have been. She loves the painting and she's having so much fun."
Lucy, mum of Jessica, who is almost two, agrees. She said: "We've been coming a while, and it's really good. She gets to run around everywhere and absolutely loves the paint."
Lauren, of Birch Green, Skelmersdale, whose daughter Nancy is also almost two-years-old, said: "She loves it. She loves getting moving and she likes the bikes outside, every week."
Meanwhile, Jordan, whose son George is also almost two, said: "I think he really enjoys it. He likes anything water related, or making mess! We've been coming for about ten months, and he loves it."
Jessica, who is almost two, pictured playing at the Skelmersdale Family Hub and the Zone
Also enjoying the fun is three-year-old Anouk, whose mum Michaela said: "She likes to play with the water, and she likes the activities, jumping around. It's great for children, and as a parent, you learn new things to do with your child, and we've even tried some of them at home."
The 'Mini Move and Groove' sessions are being rolled out at Family Hubs across Lancashire this summer, along with a huge range of other family friendly activities, from pregnancy sessions to support groups for teens, to Baby Bounce and Rhyme groups, to Baby Massage, and to SEND groups for young people aged up to 19, and those with disabilities aged to 25, as well as fun days.
The council's Family Hubs also act as 'One Stop Shops,' providing support, advice and information for parents, carers, families and others, from a range of organisations. These include the NHS, schools, police, the DWP, and the voluntary, charitable and faith sectors, on matters from healthy lifestyles to midwifery, mental health and employment, and much more.
Nancy, who is almost two, enjoys being outside at the Skelmersdale Family Hub and the Zone
Councillor Simon Evans, cabinet member for Children and Families, said: "The Family Hubs are an absolutely wonderful resource, and the Mini Move and Groove session in Skelmersdale is a fantastic example.
"There are lots of toddlers painting, and it's a very good place. It is really what Early Years is all about, with fantastic staff and resources, a whole range of different services for parents, toddlers and teenagers, and a very valuable service being very well delivered
"Yet this is just one part of a very full picture of what's being offered to children, families and young people this summer. Our 64 libraries offer a huge array of similar, affordable family friendly fun, while our Youth Zone also offers lots of support and activities for older children, and our wonderful museums offer a host of fascinating activities and events, too.
"I really encourage people to find out about just what we offer on the doorsteps, to help them make the most of the summer."
George, who is nearly two, gets stuck into painting at the Skelmersdale Family Hub and the Zone
If you want to find how we can help you make the most of our services this #LancsSummer, why not check out our dedicated webpage? You can find it at www.lancashire.gov.uk/summer
People can make the most of the county council's services this #LancsSummer by checking our dedicated webpage www.lancashire.gov.uk/summer
Notes to editors
What's on offer for families this #LancsSummer?
- Lancashire Libraries
Story time, reading clubs, Lego and crafts are just some of the free fun on the menu at our vast network Lancashire Libraries this #LancsSummer.
We have 64 libraries based in towns and villages right across Lancashire, from north, to south and from east to west.
They are fun, family friendly, and well worth a visit – so if you're scouring the internet in search of bite sized, free fun in a safe and family friendly, free location near you, why not check out what's on at your local library?
Click on the link and navigate to your local branch Libraries - Lancashire County Council or visit our What's On page, navigating to the left hand side and filtering the dates, locations and types of activities that interest you LCC Events
If you'd like to make sure your children get the chance to get active and learn new skills over the long summer break, and you're eligible for help, our Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) could be just the ticket.
The Holiday Activities and Food clubs (HAF) give children the chance to get active, learn new skills and have a nutritious meal, as well as build self-esteem and wellbeing, have fun and make new friends.
Click on the link to find out more Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF)
- Youth Zone - Lancashire County Council (aimed at teens and young people)
For anyone whose child may be at a loose end this summer, or a child or young person who would like to access different activities, our Youth Zones could prove to be something of a lifeline.
They offer the chance to take part in a group or develop life skills to children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities to the age of 25 years.
Youth Zone is Lancashire County Council's dedicated resource for young people offering activities to young residents. It provides access to helpful information and support on a wide range of topics as early as possible, helping them achieve a good quality of life and facilitating positive, ongoing life changes.
There are Youth Zones available in every district across Lancashire, and you can find a centre near you.
Find out more by visiting our website - Youth Zone - Lancashire County Council
They offer everything from pregnancy sessions to support groups for teens, to Baby Bounce and Rhyme groups, learn Baby Massage sessions, Mini Move and Groove and a host of activities.
They offer SEND groups for young people, aged up to 19 and those with disabilities aged up to 25, as well as several Family Fun events this summer in every area.
They also have 'One Stop Shops,' providing support, advice and information for parents, carers, families and others on the first Thursday of every month, where people can get support and information from a range of partners and services, including the NHS, schools, police, the DWP, and the voluntary, charitable and faith sectors on matters from healthy lifestyles to midwifery, mental health and employment, and much more.
Find out more about what's happening at your local Family Hub by visiting our website, Lancashire Family Hubs Network - Lancashire County Council
- Lancashire Museums
If culture and learning about the past interest you and yours, you could visit one of our Lancashire Museums, offering a host of budget friendly, fun and interactive things to do at locations right across the county this #LancsSummer
You can check out what's happening at them by visiting our What's On page, navigating to the left hand column and selecting dates, locations and types of activities that interest you LCC Events