Looking for ways to keep the kids buzzing with excitement this summer? Look no further!
Lincoln’s beautiful parks are bursting with family-friendly adventures, from slime and kites to bugs, butterflies, rockets, and more!
Join the park rangers for an unforgettable lineup of outdoor activities designed to entertain, educate, and inspire young explorers all summer long. Whether your child is into creepy crawlies, crafting junk boats, launching rockets, or building the perfect den, there’s something to thrill every curious mind.
July Highlights:
Butterfly Bonanza
Thursday, 24 July from 10am to 11:30am at Hope Wood, meeting at St Helen’s Church.
Wednesday 30 July from 1pm to 2.30pm at Hartsholme Country Park, meeting outside the Visitor Centre in the park.
Flap those wings and join the park rangers for a short walk to discover the colourful world of butterflies. Children can learn all about the park’s fluttering friends, get involved in fun butterfly activities, and help count butterflies as part of the Big Butterfly Count 2025!
Bug Hunts
Thursday 24 July, 1pm to 2.30pm at Hartsholme, meeting at the park’s Visitor Centre.
Wednesday 30 July, 10am to 11.30am at Hope Wood, meeting at St Helen’s Church.
Bring your children along and see what’s bugging our park rangers. Get down and dirty as the hidden world of creepy crawlies is explored. From wriggling worms to buzzing beetles, search the meadows, look under logs and uncover the mini beasts living in the parks where they make their homes.
Den Building*
Tuesday 29 July, 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm, at Hartsholme Country Park, meeting at the park’s Visitor Centre.
Let your child put their survival skills to the test and build their own woodland shelter designed to protect them from the wind and rain using fallen timber and tarpaulins.
*Please note this activity will take place in the woods, so suitable clothing and sensible shoes should be worn.
August Adventures:
Slime Workshop
Wednesday 20 Aug, 10am to 11.30am at Lincoln Arboretum, meeting at the Bandstand.
It’s slime time! Does your child enjoy getting their hands dirty? They can learn how to make slime with a few simple ingredients. Fluffy, scrunchy or disgusting, let your child create their very own custom slime.
Junk Boats
Wednesday 20 Aug, 1pm to 2.30pm at Hartsholme Country Park’s Visitor Centre.
Join the rangers and let your child’s imagination run wild. They can create Junk Boats from recycled materials and find out if they sail or sink!
Bottle Rockets
Thursday 21 Aug, 10am to 11.30am at Boultham Park, meeting at the Bowls Pavilion.
Wednesday 27 August, 1pm to 2.30pm at Hartsholme Country Park, meeting at the Visitor Centre.
Design, build, and launch your own bottle rocket. Expect a lot of laughs and a splash or two! This activity has lots going on: a satisfying ‘whoosh’, a high-speed departure, and a good soaking if you’re standing close.
Pond Dipping
Thursday 21 August, 1pm to 2.30pm at Boultham Park, meeting at the Bandstand.
Thursday 28 August, 1pm to 2.30pm at Hartsholme Country Park, meeting at the Visitor Centre.
Children can explore the hidden depths and delve beneath the surface of Boultham Park Lake to see what creepy critters are lurking below in the underwater world.
Willow Weaving
Thursday 28 August, 10am 11.30am at Boultham Park
Twist, shape, and weave willow masterpieces in this peaceful, hands-on session.
Kite Making
Lincoln Arboretum – Wednesday 27 August, 10am 11.30am
“With tuppence for paper and string, you can have your own set of wings!” Children can craft their own kites and watch them dance across the summer sky.
September Send-Off:
Treasure Hunt
Tuesday 2 September, 12 noon to 3pm at Hartsholme Country Park, meeting at the Visitor Centre.
Children can join the rangers and explore Hartsholme Country Park by taking part in a themed Treasure Hunt. Solve the puzzles and complete the challenges and finally find the prize! Drop in with your child(ren) any time between 12 noon and 3pm to collect their treasure hunt sheet from the Visitor Centre.
All events are just £4.00 per child and include guidance from experienced park rangers. Spaces are limited, so booking is essential!
To book children onto an activity, email hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk or call 01522 873735.
Cllr Rebecca Longbottom, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place at City of Lincoln Council, said:
“Lincoln’s parks are a treasure trove of natural beauty and learning opportunities. These summer activities are a fantastic way to help children connect with the outdoors, try new things, make friends, and have a wonderful summer full of happy memories.
“We’re proud to offer such creative and affordable summer activities in our parks for local families to enjoy.”
Let the adventure begin, see you in our parks!