High summer is here, the weather forecast is fine, and the holidays lie ahead. Pull on your hats and sandals, it's going to be a wild month says Kate Hodges
On the Seventh Day
This year’s Manchester International Festival invites audiences to 'dream differently', and this year’s programming is focussing on indigenous artists and creators from the Global South, as well as local artists and communities in the North West of England.
The opening weekend sees The Herds animals join hundreds of participants in a huge parade, followed by a schools takeover of Festival Square, where children will help create The Inheritance, a treasure trove of knowledge, advice, objects and jokes (4 July-2 November). We’re also pulling on our silky shorts for Football City, Art United, an exhibition featuring work created by 11 legendary footballers and 11 artists. Many events free, £10 tickets available. Full line-up here.
Wow and Flutter
Butterfly Conservation have declared a butterfly emergency and need your help more than ever before. The Big Butterfly Count is simple enough for even tiny children to join in, and is a fun introduction to nature spotting. Bring purpose to a picnic – the Count happens in high summer – July 18–August 10. Download and print an identifying chart or use their free app to record which butterflies you spot.
Big Fun
The big holidays are upon us! Now’s the time to choose a little (or large) garden, balcony, community allotment or front-step summer project. Planting your own medicinal herb plot is fun, and useful; these botanics can form the basis of well-being, beauty and health creations. This plan is inspired by physic gardens cultivated by apothecaries and botanists.
Alternatively, try making a budget garden crawl tunnel (Dawn Isaac’s was created for less than a tenner), or a micro-pond from an old sink or washing bowl. Find a secluded spot, and transform an old bathtub into a wood-fired hot bath. Scatter candles, take a book or your kids and soak under the stars. Or collect up bits and bobs (skip diving is always your friend) and build your own cooling water wall.
Park Life!
It’s BST Hyde Park time: Sabrina Carpenter, Neil Young and ELO might be strutting their stuff on the stage at night, but during the day, the central London arena opens for free to everyone. Watch film and Wimbledon screenings, or play community cricket games, listen to samba music, join huge dance sessions, revel in the mixing genius of DJ Yoda, or enjoy the brilliance of performances by Chickenshed Theatre. Until July 10th. Find out more here.
Elevate your skills, enrich young lives and shape the future
Are you interested in pursuing a unique, creative and rewarding career that makes a real difference to children’s lives?
Are you an imaginative home educator looking for inspiring ideas and an opportunity to connect with like-minded people?
Are you a fully qualified early years educator looking for a change?
If you are passionate about holistic early childhood education and care that truly nurtures potential, giving children the time and space to play, to flourish and to develop resilience, then join one of our free 45 minute online information sessions to find out more about Waldorf Early Childhood training. These will be held on July 2 & 7, and Sept 9.
Animal Magic
We always have a pocket full of pretty shells and stones collected from beach walks. These super-cute animal plaques are a great way to use them. We've been inspired to start designing our own creations!
The Wiggles
One of the weirdest - and wriggliest - British sports, worm charming events take place over the summer; the Willaston World Worm Charming Championship being the largest. It’s an easy activity to try at home, on holiday or in a park near you. Mark out 3m by 3m plots and use whatever techniques you like (bar digging or importing your own invertebrates) to extract the maximum number of critters. Some play music, others water the soil, some pat the soil. Give prizes for the largest amount of worms and the biggest, and be sure to release them all back afterwards.
Be inspired here:
Run Wild
A reminder of the importance and joys of grass, wildflowers and the creatures that live in fields, National Meadows Day takes place on Saturday 5th July. Celebrate formally at Morden Hall Park in London, Hazel Brow Farm in Yorkshire, or just find a wonderful, grassy spot near you, take your shoes off, and enjoy.
Find more about meadows here:
Chock-a-Block
How will you celebrate World Chocolate Day? By whipping up a spectacular, rich vegan cake? By attempting to be health-adjacent and dipping into a fruity fondue? By enlisting the help of some willing little hands and making chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars? Or perhaps by trying something different – we fancy making pomegranate crostini or spicy chocolate milkshakes this year.
Slowly Does It
The high-octane thrills of the World Snail Racing Championships are the highlight of the annual Congham Fete, in Norfolk on 19th July. More than 200 snails battle it out for the fastest time over a 13-inch course. Bring your own racer or hire one from the organisers’ world renowned stables. Come on, Shelley!
Bristol Fashion
The Bristol Harbour Festival celebrates the city’s maritime past and present with a stunning line-up of music, dance, and family-friendly offerings, plus of course, water-based fun on the quayside. Circus Bijou take over College Green, with spectacular aerial shows, comedy, acrobatics, and workshops for children.
There are high-octane rowing races and thrilling water shows at in the Harbour, music in every nook and cranny of the city, while Queen Square hosts Bristol Rising and the Dance Tent, with showcases of the best local talent! 18th-20th July.
Down by the Riverside
Ridiculously eclectic, Riverside free music festival in Charlbury is the largest in Oxfordshire. Loll in the sun and watch rising local stars as well as well-loved favourites play across four stages. This year’s acts include Kanadia and The Subtheory, plus there’s a kids area, willow weaving, stone carving, pole lathing and ironwork fun. Find more here. 19-20 July.
Get Hip
The Greenwich Peninsula is set to swing on July 26th, as the Rhythm & Taste Jazz and Food Festival rolls into town. Expect afro-punk blends from Steamdown and psychedelic soul courtesy of Shunaji. Plus a Queer Jazz strand, zine-making and dance workshops and a makers market. All free, but booking essential.
While you’re there, why not make time for a quick putt on the eye-popping Wild Swing Mini Golf course (£3) and a boodle round Wayne Hemingway’s Charity Super.Mkt (first rummage is on July 10th). Find out more here.
Berry Good
Very few woodland walk pleasures beat the joy of discovering the tiny, ruby-like treasure that are wild strawberries. These tiny cousins of the hulking supermarket fruits are bursting with flavour. If you can possibly resist eating them until you get home, sprinkle them on cakes or make wild strawberry and thyme ice-cream.
Shore Thing
National Marine Week (actually a fortnight) runs from July 26-August 10, and is a chance to help The Wildlife Trusts to find out more about and celebrate our gorgeous shore and seas. Join in with seaside, rockpool rambles, beach cleans and sea watches.
Enjoy your July! We'll be back next month with more ideas for summer fun...
