How are you doing? Enjoying this Sunshine (Phew 🥵) and ready for some Summer Fun?
The attractions around York have not let us down.. they're ready to welcome to you and have all gone to huge efforts to make sure this is a Summer to remember. We deserve it, right?!
Here at Mumbler, we are determined to provide you with as much inspiration and ideas as possible and as many activities for your mini-mumblers as we can so you can choose the right ones for you and your family.
This Newsletter is absolutely jam packed so grab yourself a cuppa, have a browse and save it to your favourites so you can refer back to it when you are needing inspiration one day.
Sending you and your family so much love.
Enjoy the scorchio summer of 2021!
Emily & the rest of the team at York Mumbler
💜
Free family fun with ‘Buzz About York’ AR app.
Magical and beautiful creatures have taken up residence in York city centre this Summer. But can you track them all down?
The York BID have launched a new ‘York Quest’ AR (augmented reality) trail in time for the Summer holidays. The trail encourages families into the city to find a series of characters who are hidden around York’s historic streets.
Once you have found a character there is a fun interactive element to enjoy. You can also take a photo and share on social media. Tag us with #yorkquest so we can see your pictures!
The York Quest app is free to use and is available now on Google Play Store or App Store.
This trail reflects our Buzz About York project where we have filled the city centre with bee-friendly flowers and pollinator fact files. It’s a fun and free activity to keep young people busy during the summer holidays.
This summer we are delighted to be working with the multi-award-winning children’s publisher Nosy Crow, to bring you our favourite children’s books. There is something for everyone!
Nosy Crow make child-focused, parent-friendly children’s books for ages 0-12. With this summer reading list, we’ve made sure that there is something for everyone. Some books that you can read together and some that your kids can read by themselves.
We have also got a range of FREE activity sheets that you can download for the books.
For each of the 10 books we’ve given you a brief description as well as a preview link so that you can view the first few pages yourself.
We really hope you enjoy our recommendations- why don’t you send us a photo of your child enjoying the book or you could even a record a short video review for us and then we’ll share them with all our other Mumblers on our Instagram stories. Email your pictures, videos & reviews to emily@mumbler.co.uk
Click hereto read all about our summer reading list and to download the free activity sheets.
Explore York Libraries and Archives and The Reading Agency have teamed up with WWF to keep children reading over the summer, while challenging them to help save the planet. By taking part in the Challenge for free in Explore Libraries or online, children will be able to join six fictional characters - 'wild heroes' - and help solve some of the threats to our natural world and restore nature levels in the neighbourhood of 'Wilderville'.
The challenge runs until Saturday 11th September 21. Children who prefer to take part in the online challenge will find it at www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk
As well as the challenge we will be running some children’s activities in libraries and parks as well as online activities. Information is available on our website www.exploreyork.org.uk. Leaflets giving details of the activities are also available online or in your local library.
Summer Holiday for Kids in York We've got an amazing page full of ideas, inspiration and activities for entertaining the kids in York this Summer School Holidays.
Here are a few highlights of what you can find on the page...
Large indoor play area * New ninja / obstacle course * NEW OBIE interactive game wall * New animal area * Water play area * Sand play * Adventure park
Plus FREE UNLIMITED rides on the following :
Double Carousel Apple coaster Pony express Balloon Ride Formula Bucking Bulls Sizzler Huge Helterskelter Cups and Saucers Mega Miami
PLUS
🦖Dinosaur miniature golf (8 holes) (All included)
We know you will all have fun- whatever the age - whatever the weather!!! All the fun of the existing park with these additions make the Web the best value park in Yorkshire!
A series of fun summer activities taking place across York city centre all under a ‘Summer of Sport’ theme.
In a collaboration between Make It York, THOR’s Tipi and First Bus York, plans include an interactive sporty sculpture trail, pop-up tipi bars, urban running routes, free yoga classes, outdoor ping pong tables and more.
The brand-new YO1 Beach Club is a fun and safe urban oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, with peaceful views of the river and passing boats.
Located in Tower Gardens, next to the River Ouse, we are open every day from 24thJune to 5th September, from 9.30am – 6.00pm Monday – Friday, and 9.00am – 6.00pm Saturday and Sunday.
The Club comprises a wood-panelled covered café and veranda with a boardwalk entrance across a fun beach area with a cover as well as picnic tables. Food served from the open BBQ as well as cafe for refreshments.
We have fun party packages for children, under-18s and adults alike, be it a birthday, baby shower or family gathering, and can also create bespoke party packages.
York’s Chocolate Story is an interactive visitor attraction that allows you to experience York’s rich chocolate history, first-hand!
Bringing history to life in an engaging way, your tour guide will take you back to chocolate’s Aztek origins before unwrapping York’s very own chocolate legacy. You’ll hear from the experts as you learn how to taste chocolate like a pro and your tour will finish by giving you the chance to try your hand as a chocolatier in a chocolate lolly making session!
York’s Chocolate Story is open daily for tours throughout summer. Special events including Family Masterclasses and Outdoor Chocolate Tasting Tours are also happening throughout the holidays.
Open daily from 10am – pre-book tickets online.
York’s Chocolate Story, Kings Square, York, YO1 7LD
2nd-6th Aug Wildlife workshop
9th-13th Aug Safari Week
16th-20th Aug Build a Scarecrow
28th-30th Aug Beetlefest/Scarecrow comp www.beetlebankfarm.co.uk
Come and enjoy the UK’s fastest growing sport right here in York. Situated just 3 miles from the city centre York FootGolf is the perfect outdoor activity for the whole family. Set on a lovely 17 acre golf course, FootGolf is played by kicking normal size footballs into large golf holes using the same scoring system as crazy golf. No experience or equipment is needed to play and it’s suitable for all ages and abilities.
What’s more, FootGolf is the ideal activity for current social distancing guidelines as the course is spread out over such a large area. Strict Covid secure guidelines are also in place to make your trip as safe as it is enjoyable. York FootGolf – The new way to play ball!
Looking for a fun, safe, regular meet-up for parents, babies and toddlers? Join Tiny Diggers – the new group promoting sensory play for babies and toddlers at DIG: An Archaeological Adventure, St Saviourgate in York city centre.
DIG have created two sessions designed exclusively for babies and toddlers – a chance to play in a safe, tactile environment which uses textures found in archaeology to introduce touch-based play.
The group will have different themed content each week to introduce varied stimuli, from treasure hunts to messy play, created by the DIG Early Years team to help develop fine motor skills and engage all the senses. Fun for your little one, and you, too!
You can book one session for £6.50, or a block of 4 for £20.
We know how tricky it can be to get everything ready for a set time, so don’t worry if you are ever running a little late for the start of the session – you won’t feel as though you have missed out!
You can book online at digyork.com - read the instructions on the left when you select your tickets for more info on how to select your preferred dates.
Around the World in 80 Days By Jules Verne
Adapted and directed by Juliet Forster
“So, if you can’t travel to exciting parts of the globe this summer, don’t despair, we are here to bring the world to you!”
Join York Theatre Royal’s raggle-taggle band of travelling circus performers as they embark on their most daring feat yet: to perform the story of Phileas Fogg and his faithful companion Passepartout as they set off on their race around the world. But will the performers be able to recreate every country, character and mode of transport in the book? Will they all agree on what story should be told? Will this madcap adventure reach its final destination in one piece? If it does, will they all still be friends? And just who is Nellie Bly..?
Full of fun and frivolity for all the family, a perfect holiday substitute!
Touring York from 6 to 28 August
Outdoors on playing fields at Carr Junior School (6-8 Aug); Copmanthorpe Primary School (10-12 Aug);
Archbishop Holgate’s School (14-16 Aug); Joseph Rowntree School (18-21 Aug)
Indoors at York Theatre Royal (25-28 Aug).
We’ve put together a blog jam packed full of different family days out up and down the country with ideas from our 18 Mumbler sister sites.
Click here to read all about it. There is even a map showing where the various attractions are located
If you take any pictures that you’d be happy for us to share, feel free to tag us @yorkmumbler.
BACK FROM EXTINCTION - THE DINOSAUR ADVENTURE AT SPILMANS
Running from the 24-29th August from 9 am until 4pm.
Come and meet the dinosaurs at Spilmans farmThis summer, step back in time!Our Dinosaur event is a great experience for your dinosaur mad children!
The trip consists of a meet the dinosaur session where the children will be introduced to the triceratops and be able to get up close with the dinosaur.There will also be dinosaurs running wild in the dinosaur maize maze. Where they have laid their eggs. See if you can steal a dinosaur egg while avoiding the dinosaurs!
27th July- August 2nd
The funfair will be open daily from July 27th – August 2nd – with two sessions running daily from 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm. Harrogate Indoor Funfairwill offer climate controlled, comfortable surroundings including cafe and baby changing facilities for families during the holidays – ensuring fun no matter the weather outside! The entry fee of £10.00 (when purchased in advance) gets the rider UNLIMITED goes on all attractions for 3 WHOLE HOURS!
Nature Themed Gardens, Trails & Play this Summer Enjoy the outdoors together at the Beautiful Lavender & Nature Farm, with seasonal activities ensuring a brilliant day out for all the family.
Join in with The Big Butterfly Count. July 16th – August 8th. In association with Yorkshire Butterfly Conservation, the Big Butterfly Count returns to the farm for 2021. All visitors will be given a ‘butterfly spotter sheet’ and encouraged to take part.
The count is easy to do, simply count the butterflies you see over a 15-minute period and record them on your sheet. With the lavender and wildflowers in full bloom, you will never be too far from a Butterfly or two!
Spend the day With the Miniature Railway, Willow Maze, Football Golf, Den Zone and much more, set within 12 acres of Lavender, wild-flowers and woodland, this is an ideal place to spend the day with all the family (Bring Grandma, Grandad and the dog too!).
Castle Howard is a magnificent historic house in the north of England, the 18th century residence is set within 1,000 acres of breath taking landscape in Ryedale.
The grounds include lakes, fountains, temples and woodland (with children’s trails) as well as formal walled garden and children’s adventure playground making Castle Howard the perfect family day out.
The Boathouse is a lovely place for an ice cream, tea and cake – near the playground too!
Castle Howard, The Estate Office, Castle Howard, York, YO60 7DA
Castle Howard, The Estate Office, Castle Howard, York, YO60 7DA
T: 01653 648333
Sewerby Hall Summer of Fun
The house, zoo, cafe and grounds are fully open, plus extra family events and activities this summer include shows from Rusticus Woodland Creatures Theatre, Outdoor Games, Punch & Judy, Magic Shows, Face painting and Wildcats Craft Sessions. Also Vintage Car shows and outdoor cinema with Adventure Cinema! Events and activities are included in the admission fee but please book online in advance and book events at the Welcome Centre. For more information please visit the website here.
The Great Ryedale Maze
The Great Ryedale Maze (formerly known as The Great Yorkshire Maze) returns this summer, following its popular debut in 2020. Located at Sherburn, between Scarborough and Malton, its open daily from 14th July to 5th September 2021, 9.30am to 5.30pm. We have a field full of fun for all the family, with nine acres of maize plants and never-ending paths to explore in the giant Yorkshire Dragon Maze, and for younger adventurers there’s the two-acre Mini-Maze with an environmental theme. The action-packed Vintage Funfair is bigger and better than ever, live entertainment in our Big Top and much more. More information on their website here.
Open for Summer 2021.
Northwood Trail is nestled in a 100 acre wood at Buttercrambe close to York and this delightful woodland fairy sanctuary is the first of its kind in the world.
The eco-aware sanctuary is off grid; as well as a beautiful woodland trail, it also includes an intriguing Fairy Museum.
The dinosaurs are back at Stockeld park for a Jurassic event like no other. With 5 Adventure Playgrounds, a maze, Jurassic mini Golf and LOTS of fun, Stockeld Park is a great day out for all the family.
Go down a rabbit hole and through the looking glass at RHS Harlow Carr this summer!
Inspired by Alice’s spirit of curiosity and a host of quirky characters from Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, during their visit to RHS Harlow Carr, families can view the gardens through the eyes of Alice, encountering topsy-turvy installations along the way.
Children will be invited to sneak through the rabbit hole, peek through the door in the tree, transform themselves into a Queen (or King) of Hearts.
Discover a magical wonderland in the ancient forest at Mother Shipton’s this Summer!
Follow us down the rabbit hole for a fabulous adventure trail with intricate scenes inspired by the classic children’s stories Alice in Wonderland and Alice through the Looking Glass.
As a freelance illustrator Lucy Monkman has illustrated a number of books but Made By Hand At Home is the first she has written. She draws on her years of experience as an illustrator and as an art tutor of primary school children in York.
The book celebrates the creative potential of everyday life whether it is via a humble loo roll tube or a takeaway coffee cup. With almost two hundred images it offers ideas for artistic projects using recyclable materials in the home. It covers a wide range of subjects including chapters on working with colour and shape, making decorations and creating cardboard characters.
Writer and educator Gayle Johnson has written: ‘In part a compendium of creative ideas, in part an accessible art history and in part a wry social commentary on our times. This inspiring book is a must-read for parents, educators and everyone interested in the visual arts. It invites us to live differently and to notice our interactions with the things that surround us more closely.’
Published on 30 July 2021, the book will be available in local outlets and available to order priced £12.99 with free UK delivery via Lucy’s website: www.lucymonkman.com.
Back To School
Watkinsons Shoes offer a free of charge personalised childrens shoe fittings appointment service. Watkinsons provides professional fitting, advice and high quality brands including Start-Rite, Ricosta and Geox. Book your appointment via their website to ensure that you can get an appointment before school starts! https://www.watkinsonsshoes.com/store-appointments-i16
Watkinsons Shoes, 53 Goodramgate, York, YO1 7LS
CARE ASSISTANTS NEEDED AT SPRINGFIELD HEALTHCARE
Here at Springfield we are proud to offer quality care to those who need extra support and we want YOU to join our amazing team of home carers.
We offer a great salary and access to our fantastic benefit packages including paid holidays, a brilliant healthcare plan, a pension scheme and employee recognition schemes.Full time and part time opportunities available
As a key worker, you will make a difference to people’s lives every single day and you will support clients so that they can keep living independently in their own home; it really is a thoroughly rewarding job. Therefore, it is important that you have a kind and caring nature as well as a passion to provide quality care; as we believe great care starts with great carers.
It’s ok if this line of work is new to you as experience is not essential and we’ve got a great training and onboarding programme which provides all the learning, support and mentorship that you’ll need - our experienced care coaches will also be on hand helping you every step of the way!
It is essential that you have a driving license with daily access to your own transport.
