7 ideas for a sizzling summer day out

We know how challenging the summer holidays can be; trying to keep kids entertained for six weeks – rain or shine – isn’t easy. So, here are some free (or nearly free) ideas for things to do in the local area.

Celebrate Pride
The inaugural Windsor and Eton Pride parade will take place on 26th July 2025, creating a new platform for celebrating diversity for the local community. Starting on The Long Walk, the parade will head to Alexandra Gardens, where the party will take off with musical performances, a Pride Village, wet and dry bars, a karaoke tent, talks, a sensory zone and SafeSpace4All health zone. There are several free tickets available with the remaining issued at ‘pay what you can up to £5’ rates.  Fitzgerald Fostering will have a stand in the pride village – please come and see us and meet our team at stand 13 in the Pride Village!

Watch the Changing of the Guard
The Windsor Castle Guard Change takes place in the spectacular surroundings of the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. While you’ll need a ticket to see the official guard change, watching the guards and regimental band march from their barracks to the castle is free of charge. Every other morning, just before the changing of the guard ceremony at 11am, traffic is stopped and Windsor’s bustling High Street is transformed into a parade ground, lined by spectators, enjoying the beat of the Corps of Drums as the soldiers march past. Visit changing-guard.com for more details to help plan your trip.

Sign up to the Summer Reading Challenge
It’s hard to get some kids interested in reading but getting their heads into a good book is the perfect rainy-day activity. The Summer Reading Challenge encourages kids to challenge themselves to pick up as many books as they can over the course of the holidays. Once they’ve set up an online profile, they can set themselves goals and unlock digital rewards when they hit them. There’s a zone for adults too with reading tips and free resources to help reluctant readers become more enthusiastic.

Go Geo-coaching
Like a game of high-tech hide and seek, Geocaching – ‘the world’s largest treasure hunt’ – is a great way to get the kids out and about and it’s free! All you need to do is create an account on the Geocaching website or download and sign up to the app, which gives you access to the Geocaching map. Use the map to find nearby caches (small waterproof treasure boxes hidden outdoors) in parks, woods and towns all over Berkshire.

Follow a trail
Hidden within Tarman’s Copse, situated in Bracknell’s Jennett’s Park, you will find The Green Man Sculpture Trail, a series of wooden artworks and small houses. There are 20 or so figures to find plus a playground at the end. If you’re looking for a town centre activity, then head to Wokingham where you can follow the mosaic trail and spot the 10 mosaics dotted on the pavements signifying various events or people from the area. Find out more about the trail on the council’s website.

Visit a museum
When the weather fails and the kids are climbing the walls inside, head to Reading Museum it’s free to enter and a great place to entertain history buffs. There’s a range of exhibits, including Britain’s famous full-size Victorian version of the Bayeux Tapestry. Also free to enter is The Maidenhead Heritage Centre, which is the only exhibition in the world dedicated to the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) and home to a Spitfire simulator.

Have fun in the forest
With over 2,600 acres to explore, hiking and biking trails suitable for all ages and abilities and plenty of shelter from the hot summer sun, Swinley Forest is the ideal place for a free day out. There’s also an adventure playground next to Look Out Discovery Centre. California Country Park in Wokingham also has a great wooded play area, The Wild Wood, designed to physically challenge older children and teenagers with agility course and zip wire. On a hot day their outdoor pool is open to cool the kids down, too.

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