Summer Holiday 2011 in and around St Albans

When

Where

What

All summer

At home!

Win a trip to London for 4 people and £50 of Pizza Express vouchers. Feeling creative? Enter our children's art competition by creating a drawing, painting or collage of your favourite animal. Three age groups: up to 6, 7-11 and 12-16. Find out more

All summer

Various locations

• St Albans Council has listings of activities for 5-11s and 11-19s on its website. This includes Play in the Parks, Sports in the Parks, music, arts, cooking and multi-activity camps. Find out more.

All summer

Butterfly World

• Sun 24 Jul: Bellamy BBQ & Family Fun Day: join David Bellamy for the official opening of Ant World, face painting a butterfly hunt and workshop activities.

Children go free all summer with our exclusive voucher!

All summer

Willows Farm Village

Summer Spectacular: enjoy the A-maize-ing Maze, animated chicken show, sports day races, Sing-a-long-a Woolly sessions, animal handling, Captain Chicken’s Egg Dodge, Daft Duck trials, fair rides, falconry display, Sheepstakes and much more.  Daily from 10am-5.30pm. See full programme.

All summer

Museum of St Albans

• 25 to 28 Jul: Fun & Games - creative themed activities, 10.30am-12.30pm.
  
• 16 to 19 Aug: Mystery & Magic - creative themed activities, 10.30am-12.30pm.

The Tuesday session is for ages 6 to 13, all other sessions are for ages 8 to 13. Cost £5. Book & pay in advance on 01727 819340.

All summer

Verulamium Museum

• Wed 27 July: Roman Oil Lamp Making - drop-in session for ages 3+ from 2.30-4.30pm. Cost £1.
• Sat 20 Aug: Living in Roman Times - demonstrations of Roman metal working and medicine, health and hygiene from 10am-4.30pm. Free.
• Wed 24 Aug: Making Roman Fridge Magnets - drop-in session for ages 3+ from 2.30-4.30pm. Cost £1.

All summer

Libraries

Summer Reading Challenge: join 'Circus Stars' for the summer and discover the greatest show on earth while you read six books. Pick up a pack from your local library and visit the Circus Stars website for more fun and games. More details.

All summer

Roller City, Campus West

Summer Skates: daily at various times. Lessons also available - see website for details.

Sat 23 Jul

AdiZone, Verulamium Park

AdiZone Fun Day:a family day with a wide range of activities on offer including  Zumba, Tai Chi, Judo and Circus Skills. 12 to 4pm. Free.

Sat 23 Jul

Alban Arena

Kung Fu Panda 2 (PG): Po (Jack Black) joins forces with a group of new kung-fu masters to take on an old enemy with a deadly new weapon. At 11am.

Sun 24 Jul

Museum of St Albans

Sunday Stories - National Archaeology Month: look at clothes from the past and listen to stories. For children under 7, 3 to 4pm, £1 (free to St Albans Children's Book Group members).

Sat 30 Jul

Alban Arena

Rio (PG): Blu (Jesse Eisenberg), a domesticated macaw meets the independent Jewel (Anne Hathaway), & takes off on an adventure. At 11am.

Sun 31 Jul

Hatfield House

Wind in the Willows: Cambridge Touring Theatre's outdoor production of the classic children's book. In the Elephant Dell at 3.15pm. Adults £12, children £10. Details.

August

The Abbey

Free Summer Activities: themed discovery mornings take place every Thursday in August from 10.30am to 12.30pm. The whole family can enjoy a fascinating trail around the building and finish the morning with a craft activity. Suitable for children aged 3-11. Free.

• Thu 4 Aug: Up, Up and Away - Air
• Thu 11 Aug: The Fiery Furnace - Fire
• Thu 18 Aug: Water, Water Everywhere - Water
  
• Thu 25 Aug: Down to Earth - Earth
  

August

University of Hertfordshire - College Lane Camp

Summer Holiday Workshops: All activities run from 10am to 4pm (registration from 9.30am in the Art and Design gallery). Download the full brochure and an application form. Information on 01707 285327.

• 1 to 5 Aug: ArtsCool 2011 (ages 8-17) - a week of art, design & new media
  
• 8 Aug: Cutting Room Gore (ages 10-16) - make a short horror film
• 9 & 10 Aug: My Little Book of Horrors (ages 8-13) - writing & illustration
• 15 & 16 Aug: I Am Monster (ages 10-15) - horror & make-up special effects
• 17 to 19 Aug: Scream! (ages 8-15) - horror film making
  
• 25 Aug: Bongo Madness (ages 8-14) - drumming fun
  

Wed 3 Aug

Alban Arena

Winnie The Pooh (U): The first big-screen Pooh adventure from Disney animation in more than 35 years. With the charm, wit and whimsy of the original. At 1.30pm & 7.30pm.

Wed 10 Aug

Radlett Centre

Tiny Mites at the Seaside: a show packed with fun, song, dance, bubbles and loads of audience participation. At 11am and 2.30pm. Details.

13 & 14 Aug

Knebworth House

Knebworth Country Show: Family show with birds of prey, working dogs, children's entertainment as well as arts, crafts, gifts and food marquees. On Sunday the show will feature a companion Dog Show - so bring along a canine friend and have a go! From 11am-5pm. Entrance £8 (10% discount for online booking).

19 to 21 Aug

Hatfield House

Hatfield Country Show: A taste of the countryside experience: fine food, traditional breed animals, children's farm and arena events throughout the weekend. From 10am. Tickets: Adult £12, Senior £10, Child (5-15) £6, Family £32. Children free on Friday only. 25% discount for advance booking. More information.

22 & 23 Aug

Radlett Centre

Mr Benn: Tall Stories are proud to present a brand new production celebrating 40 years of David McKee’s much-loved TV character. Mr Benn springs to life on stage in this magical, musical show for everyone aged 4 and up. 22 Aug, 1pm, 23 Aug 10.30am & 1.30pm. Details.

Sun 21 Aug

Museum of St Albans

Sunday Stories - Lost and Found: watch a screening and listen to other Oliver Jeffers stories, plus activities. For children under 7, 3 - 4pm, £1 (free to St Albans Children's Book Group members).