by Katie Thompson
With six weeks to fill, trying to find activities to occupy the whole family can be tricky during the school holidays. Luckily, there’s loads going on this summer across Norwich and Norfolk to take you from July to September!
From wild animal adventures to creative workshops with some medieval magic thrown in for good measure, this is just a flavour of what’s on offer! If you’re here on holiday, visiting friends or family, or are locals looking for fun things to do, it’s safe to say there’s plenty for families in Norwich and Norfolk this summer. (Just don’t forget your sunhat and suncream!)
Take a look at our top picks below!
Will you find all the GoGoSafari statues?
You might’ve noticed a herd of eye-catching GoGoSafari sculptures has appeared in the City of Stories. Across 10 weeks this summer, see if you can find them all (plus 5 dotted across Norfolk) to get yourself a special stamp! Brought to life by Break, there are also over 60 Mini Gs to spot in shopfronts across Norwich. Head to Safari HQ in The Forum to pick up your map (£1) and get started!
Solve the mystery word to be in with the chance of winning a prize!
It’s certainly all things safari in Norwich this summer! If you’ve ever wanted to come face to face with iconic wild animals, Castle Quarter’s incredible life-sized puppets are so lifelike it’s almost like the real thing. You can catch this spectacle on two dates in August where a majestic elephant (Thursday 7 August, 12pm – 4pm) and probably the most well-known gorilla, King Kong himself (Thursday 28 August, 12pm – 4pm), will roam the shopping centre.
And while you’re here, see if you can track down the mini rhinos hiding in plain sight across Castle Quarter (23 June – 30 August). Solve the mystery word and you’ll be in with a chance of winning a £100 voucher!
Have fun exploring the Sainsbury Centre’s Sculpture Park
The Sainsbury Centre’s Sculpture Park is always a great option for families getting outdoors- parents can admire the art while the little ones have a run around! Across 3 dates this summer, the Sainsbury Centre is holding family friendly tours (particularly suitable for 7 –11 years)- dotted with stories and activities along the way.
Come rain or shine, Labyrinth’s Big Day In at the Beach is a great seaside adventure for children!
We all love British Summertime, but sometimes it’s hard to tell if it’s going to be sunny or not! That’s where Labyrinth comes in. Whether it’s rainy or too hot, their Big Day In at the Beach (primary-aged children, 3+ years) is the ultimate indoor seaside adventure (and full air conditioned, too)! There’s seaside-themed laser tag mini zap, make-a-bear, tasty treats, a play corner for under 5s and SpongeBob in the movie shed- all included in your ticket!
Discover Dragon Hall with the National Centre for Writing’s family events
One of the best ways to unleash your creativity is by writing. Luckily, Norwich is home to the National Centre for Writing, who are holding a series of events for youngsters this summer.
Start by discovering Dragon Hall at their drop-in Family Activity Days (Sunday 20 July and Mondays between 28 July – 1 September, 10am – 3pm, FREE), before booking a space on an exciting workshop with real-life authors: DNA Detectives (Thursday 7 August, 11 – 13 years, 10am – 12pm, £2.50 – £7.50), Once Upon a… What?! (Thursday 14 August, 8 – 10 years, 10am – 12pm, £2.50 – £7.50) and Design Your Own Coat of Arms (Thursday 28 August, 11 – 13 years, 10am – 12pm, £2.50 – £7.50).
Did you know Strangers’ Hall is home to a tranquil Knot Garden?
Chances are you’ve explored the fascinating rooms of Strangers’ Hall, but have you spent time in their tranquil Elizabethan Knot Garden? Throughout the summer holidays, the museum is opening up the garden for free! So, you can make the most of this balmy weather by relaxing with a picnic and absorbing hundreds of years of history right in front of you.
The Garage’s summer production will keep the whole family entertained
We’re spoilt with some outstanding theatre venues here in Norwich. One of these is The Garage. And this summer, they’re putting on not one, but three, fantastic productions! First, it’s a tale as old as time with Beauty and the Beast (26 & 27 July, 2pm & 6pm), before the heartwarming tale of Annie (2 & 3 August, 2pm & 6pm) takes the stage. Finally, take a leap down the rabbit hole with the musical magic of Alice in Wonderland (22 August, 2pm & 6pm, & 23 August, 1pm & 4.30pm).
For music, crafts and cooking workshops, Yalm is your go-to
The summer holidays are sorted at Yalm. Whether your child loves to cook, craft, or spin tunes, these workshops are a great chance to learn new skills and make new friends. Try your hand at a Beginner’s DJ Workshop with DJ Chrome (29 July, 12 & 26 August, 7 – 16 years, 10am – 2.30pm, from £10), spark your imagination at themed crafting sessions (30 July, 6 & 20 August, 10.30am – 2.30pm, £8.50) or create your very own picnic with Kids Kitchen (31 July, 7, 14 & 21 August, 10.30am – 12pm, £15)!
Discover the tale of Thumbelina at Norwich Puppet Theatre this summer
Everyone loves a story, right? So, this summer, head over to Norwich Puppet Theatre (especially if you’re looking for something indoors) for one of their captivating family shows!
Based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, Thumbelina (2 August, 2+ years) follows the magical journey of this tiny girl through rod, glove and shadow puppets as well as storytelling and song. Meanwhile, The Head That Bears is a new reworking of this comedy by local Burnt Coffee Theatre Company (31 August, 10+ years).
It’s the moment we’ve been waiting for- Norwich Castle fully reopens on 7 August!
Hear ye! Hear ye! It’s time to dust off you crowns because Norwich Castle keep is reopening after a much anticipated 5-year redevelopment.
As a Royal Palace Reborn, you’ll be transported back 900 years to 1121 when the impressive keep was completed by King Henry I. And with it you can expected brand-new multisensory and interactive experiences, original medieval floors and rooms fully furnished and meticulously reinstated, and a Gallery of Medieval Life showcasing almost 1000 medieval artefacts.
And as the UK’s most accessible castle, you’ll be able to explore from basements to battlements- get your camera out for an unparalleled view of Norwich’s skyline!
As part of the Castle’s reopening, you can help prepare for King Henry I’s arrival with their Get Medieval event (23 July – 2 September, Monday – Saturday, 10am – 3pm, and Sunday, 10am – 5pm, included in admission). Learn how to lay a medieval table, explore arms and armour, and make your own mini-Keep crown!
This is your change to discover what happens behind the scenes (literally!) at Norwich Theatre
Did you know Norwich Theatre is a not-for-profit charity? That’s why we always recommend keeping an eye out for their school holiday activities.
This summer, we’ll be treated to their annual Open Day (Saturday 9 August, 10am –3pm), where you can discover the secrets of backstage with unique guided tours, tech talks, a look into Norwich Theatre’s archive, a puppet show and more! (This one’s not just for the children.) Then for school-age children, be enchanted by a performance of Aesop’s most famous fables (17 August, 2.30pm – 3.30pm, & 23 August, 11.30am -12.30pm).
Get hands on with The Creation Station at John Lewis
This summer, John Lewis Norwich is hosting The Creation Station for a whole load of family fun (2 – 11 years). Think hands-on crafting sessions where you can create everything from seasonal decorations to unique keepsakes. Time to embrace your artistic side and get your imagination working!
Calling all LEGO lovers to Norwich Brick Festival
Calling all LEGO lovers, Norwich Brick Festival is back this August bank holiday for one day only! For the big kids as well as the youngsters, there’s loads to see and get involved with, including impressive large-scale displays, activity sheets, speed building competitions and, of course, a dedicated building area.
It’s a summer of fun and woodland magic at BeWILDerwood
Summer was made to be spent outside. And even more so in the magical woods of BeWILDerwood, where imagination and muddy knees go hand in hand. Inspired by BeWILDerwood’s newly released book ‘Minty and the Big Stink’, you can swing and slide your way along the Pongy Potions trail before watching the story on stage and meeting Minty herself!
It’s going to be a wild summer at Banham Zoo
Grab your explorer hats! It’s going to be a wild summer at Banham Zoo with their epic safari-themed activities and events. There’s all the usual excitement of Banham’s amazing animals, live theatre shows, safari road train and foam party, plus a whole lot of newness! Think brand-new lookout towers, junior ranger packs, ranger outposts and the junior ranger experience (£15pp).
And if you book before 20 July, you can use code KIDSGOFREE for up to 3 free children with every full-paying adult!
Where better to take in the sunset than Cromer Pier? Credit: Helen Vinsen
Cromer Pier is undoubtedly one of the best spots to enjoy the sunset on our gorgeous North Norfolk coastline. So, when you pair that with a DJ and drink, what could be better? Thanks to their popularity last year, Cromer Pier’s Sunset Sessions are back with extra dates for 2025!
On Fridays, lose yourself to a blend of Ibiza classics and greatest hits, while on Sundays you can take a more relaxed approach with chilled music and laid-back tunes.
Pay a visit to ROARR!’s exciting Dinos in the Dark event
Just when you thought dinosaurs couldn’t get any more exciting, Dinos in the Dark at ROARR! is back for the bank holiday weekend! This is a night packed with adventure, en-raptor-ing live entertainment and t-rex-cellent fun for one night only. All your favourite attractions will be open after-dark alongside twilight tours, animal encounters, tasty street food and more!
Kids go free this August bank holiday at Bure Valley Railway
When the Norfolk countryside is at its most luscious, one of the best ways to experience it is with Bure Valley Railway. And on the August bank holiday weekend, kids go free! All you have to do is use the code AUGBHKIDS25 when you book an adult ticket and you’ll soon be chugging along Norfolk’s longest narrow-gauge steam railway and into the heart of the Broads.
