Families looking to make the most of the summer holidays can enjoy a packed programme of fun, hands-on outdoor activities taking place in parks and green spaces across Lincoln.
City of Lincoln Council's Park Rangers are hosting a series of affordable family sessions throughout July, August and September at Hartsholme Country Park, Boultham Park, Hope Wood and Lincoln Arboretum, giving children the chance to explore nature, learn new skills and enjoy the great outdoors.
All activities cost £4.50 per child and booking is essential.
To find out more about any of the activities or to book a place, email hartsholmecp@lincoln.gov.uk or call 01522 873735.
July
Den Building
Wednesday 29 July
Session one: 10.30am to 12.30pm
Session two: 1.30pm to 3.30pm
Hartsholme Country Park
Meet outside the Visitor Centre, Hartsholme Country Park, Skellingthorpe Road, Lincoln, LN6 0EY, at 10.30am or 1.30pm.
Let's build a shelter which could protect you from the wind and rain using fallen timber and tarpaulins. The activity will take place in the woods, so suitable clothing and sensible footwear should be worn.
Bottle Rockets
Thursday 30 July
10am to 11.30am
Boultham Park
Meet at the Old Bowls Pavilion, Boultham Park, Rookery Lane, Lincoln, LN6 7PH, at 10am.
Join the Park Rangers and discover the joys of flight by making your very own bottle rocket. This activity has lots going on: a satisfying 'whoosh', a high-speed departure and a good soaking if you're standing too close!
Butterfly Bonanza
Thursday 30 July
1pm to 2.30pm
Hartsholme Country Park
Meet outside the Visitor Centre, Hartsholme Country Park, Skellingthorpe Road, Lincoln, LN6 0EY, at 1pm.
Join Park Rangers for a short walk to discover the colourful world of butterflies. Find out about some of our fluttering friends that thrive here in summer, take part in the Big Butterfly Count 2026 and enjoy lots of fun butterfly activities.
August
Whittling Workshop
Wednesday 5 August
10am to 11.30am
Lincoln Arboretum
Meet at the Bandstand, Lincoln Arboretum, Monks Road, Lincoln, LN2 5HU, at 10am.
Whittling, or wood carving, is fun and creative. It's a great way to introduce children to safe knife skills. With the right know-how and supervision, there's no need for it to be risky.
Pond Dipping
Wednesday 5 August
1pm to 2.30pm
Boultham Park
Meet at the Bandstand, Boultham Park, Rookery Lane, Lincoln, LN6 7PH, at 1pm.
Join Park Rangers to explore the hidden depths of Boultham Park Lake and discover what creepy critters are lurking beneath the surface.
Butterfly Bonanza
Thursday 6 August
10am to 11.30am
Hope Wood
Meet at St Helen's Church, Hall Drive, Lincoln, LN6 7SW, at 10am.
Join Park Rangers for a short walk to discover the colourful world of butterflies. Find out about some of our fluttering friends that thrive here in summer, take part in the Big Butterfly Count 2026 and enjoy lots of fun butterfly activities.
Bug Hunt
Thursday 6 August
1pm to 2.30pm
Hartsholme Country Park
Meet at the Visitor Centre, Hartsholme Country Park, Skellingthorpe Road, Lincoln, LN6 0EY, at 1pm.
Come along and see what's bugging us at Hartsholme Country Park. Get up close to some seriously creepy creatures as you search the meadow, look under logs and peer at trees to find the minibeasts that call the park home.
Bug Hunt
Wednesday 26 August
10am to 11.30am
Hope Wood
Meet at St Helen's Church, Hall Drive, Lincoln, LN6 7SW, at 10am.
Come along and see what's bugging us at Hope Wood. Get up close to some seriously creepy creatures as you search the meadow, look under logs and peer at trees to find the minibeasts that call the wood home.
Bottle Rockets
Wednesday 26 August
1pm to 2.30pm
Hartsholme Country Park
Meet at the Visitor Centre, Hartsholme Country Park, Skellingthorpe Road, Lincoln, LN6 0EY, at 1pm.
Join the Park Rangers and discover the joys of flight by making your very own bottle rocket. This activity has lots going on: a satisfying 'whoosh', a high-speed departure and a good soaking if you're standing too close!
Slime Workshop
Thursday 27 August
10am to 11.30am
Lincoln Arboretum
Meet at the Bandstand, Lincoln Arboretum, Monks Road, Lincoln, LN2 5HU, at 10am.
It's slime time! Learn how to make slime with a few simple ingredients. Can you make it fluffy? Can you make it scrunchy? Can you make it look disgusting?
Pond Dipping
Thursday 27 August
1pm to 2.30pm
Hartsholme Country Park
Meet outside the Visitor Centre, Hartsholme Country Park, Skellingthorpe Road, Lincoln, LN6 0EY, at 1pm.
Explore the hidden depths and delve beneath the surface of our wildlife pond to discover what creepy critters are lurking below.
September
Treasure Hunt
Tuesday 1 September
12pm to 3pm
Hartsholme Country Park
Collect your treasure hunt sheet from the Visitor Centre any time between 12pm and 3pm.
Join us to explore Hartsholme Country Park by taking part in a themed treasure hunt. Solve the puzzles, complete the challenges and claim your prize.