CHILDREN of all ages across the borough can try their hand at something new next week as a programme of free activities continue.

Hosted by Love Basingstoke, the Fri-YAY and Summer Fun programmes are giving children aged between three and 16-years-old the chance to join in free sports and arts and crafts activities across the borough this summer.

On Tuesday, August 20, Junk Jodie will take audiences on a Rainbow-LICIOUS storytelling adventure with Beverly Butterfly, next to Woodlands Store in Penwood. They will be joined by more of Jodie’s recycled friends including Barry Badger, Oprah Owl and Uni Unicorn in a show that features songs, rhymes and all the colours of the rainbow. Shows will be held at 11.30am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm.

Pop Up Play Village will also bring some fun with its roleplay construction site, summer-themed pebble painting and the opportunity to create clay hedgehogs to take home. Visitors to Penwood can drop in and enjoy these activities next to Woodlands Store between 11am and 3pm.

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At Ridgeway Community Centre in Buckskin, speed demons can take on four-player race simulators between 1pm and 5pm on Thursday, August 22. The race simulators come with authentic bucket racing seats, a force feedback steering wheel and a full pedal set to give participants a realistic driving experience. Individual HD screens will also provide a perfect view of the racetrack.

Other activities on offer on the day include face painting from Routine Riots and the opportunity to personalise a frisbee or softball as part of a colouring activity with Love Basingstoke.

In the town centre, Fri-YAY activities will return on Friday, August 23 between 11am and 3pm. In Cross Street, sports fans can try their feet at Footpool, a game which requires those taking part to sink footballs into the pockets of a giant pool table – and 10-pin football where participants are challenged with knocking down pins with a football.

Other activities taking place at the Top of Town include inflatable axe throwing in Market Place and face painting in Church Street. More sports activities and a bouncy castle will also be on offer at Basingstoke Sports and Social Club, in Fairfields Road, where MFC Popley will be showcasing and teaching football skills.

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Entries from the recent Love Basingstoke ‘History Through Your Eyes’ art competition will also be exhibited at Basingstoke Discovery Centre between 9.30am and 5pm until September 2 so visitors to Fri-YAY can visit at the same time.

Cabinet member for sports, leisure and culture, Cllr Kerry Morrow said: “Our free programme of activities for families across the borough has been a real success and it has been great to see so many children and their parents coming along and getting stuck into all the fun on offer.

“We hope everyone will enjoy the activities planned for the week. Please make sure you check the Love Basingstoke social media channels for the latest information, times and locations as last-minute changes may be needed depending on the weather forecast.”

All activities are free and for most of them families will be able to just turn up on the day. Some activities may require waiting to take part or pre-booking.

More information about all the activities on offer is available at LoveBasingstoke.co.uk, with updates by following Love Basingstoke on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) to get any last-minute changes to the schedule.