Have You Got Time To Play?

Free family fun in August

Ealing Council is hosting two afternoons of free family fun in August in celebration of National Playday.

The first event will take place in Rectory Park, Northolt, on Wednesday, 6 August. And a week later, there will a second afternoon at Southall Park on Wednesday, 13 August. Both events are open from 12noon – 4pm and are open to everyone.

Rectory Park will be packed with free activities including a mobile farm, bouncy castles, an assault course, arts and crafts, and a special pirate ship and sand pit. There will also be a dedicated youth zone where young people can try Zorbing, football and perform on stage.

Southall Park will also have lots to offer local families with a giant Astroslide, a magic show and bouncy castles. For the first time, there will also be a silent disco, where people dance to music listened to on wireless headphones, rather than through speakers.

On National Playday, thousands of community events take place across the country to celebrate children’s right to play and highlights its importance in their lives. This is the fifth year that the council has run the Rectory Park event and the second year for the Southall Park day.

There will also be smaller events happening at play centres and children’s centres across the borough. More details can be found at www.playday.org.uk.

Councillor Binda Rai, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “This is a real opportunity for children and families to try out the council's summer play events.

“Play is an important part of a child’s development: improving their social and physical skills, as well as nurturing their imaginations. We are lucky to have lots of parks and green spaces across the borough for children and families to enjoy and I hope that these events will encourage children to step away from their games consoles and TVs and come outside to play.”

For more information on National Playday, email Ealing Council's Play Service on playday@ealing.gov.uk or call 020 8825 9758.

To find out more about free events and activities over the summer, go to www.youngealing.co.uk or www.ealingsummerfestivals.com

29th July 2014