All these ideas cost £5 or less for a child, and many of them are FREE – check them out!

1. Play ping pong in a public place
Hundreds of ping-pong tables are popping up in parks, town centres and other public spaces around the country this summer. Bats and balls are provided, so just turn up and start playing. And if you find you’ve got a talent for table tennis, you’ll be pleased to hear many of the tables aren't just for the summer – they'll be here to stay!

Where: Birmingham, Brighton & Hove, Bristol, Hampshire, Hull, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Sheffield – click here to find your nearest table
Time: many tables can be used 24 hours a day
Date: For 4-6 weeks, from 29 June
Price: FREE

2. Explore 1,000 years of history at Westminster Abbey
Learn all about gruesome and grimy life in Elizabethan England, or discover what it was like for children training to be a knight in the Middle Ages – history comes to life in these fantastic free events in the incredible surroundings of Westminster Abbey.

Where: College Garden, Westminster Abbey, 20 Deans Yard, London
Time: 2.30pm
Date: 14, 16, 21 & 23 August
Price: FREE
Places are limited – click here to find out how to book a place

3. Get your groove on at a Caribbean Carnival
Head to Leicester or Nottingham for a brilliant day of music, dancing, rides, parades, and yummy food to buy as the spirit of the West Indies comes to the East Midlands. And hope that a little bit of Caribbean sunshine shows up as well!

Leicester Caribbean Carnival
Where: Victoria Park, Leicester
Time: 12:30pm-8pm
Date: 4 August
Price: FREE
Nottingham Caribbean Carnival
Where: Forest Recreation Ground, Nottingham
Time: 12 noon-10pm
Date: 18-19 August
Price: FREE

4. Learn to live like a Roman soldier
Legionaries, ready! At Caerleon Amphitheatre this summer you can enjoy a whole weekend packed full of the sights, sounds and smells of the Roman Empire. Watch gladiators in combat, discover the weapons that equipped the Imperial army, visit a Roman doctor, and even try some ancient street food – it’s all included in the cost of admission.

Where: National Roman Legion Museum, 
High Street, Caerleon, Newport

Time: 11am-5pm
Date: 18-19 August
Price: A one-day ticket costs £2.50 per child aged 3-16, and £4.50 for adults
For more information, click here

5. Go on a seashore safari
Put on your wellies, and get set for exploring – you'll be combing the beach and peering into rock pools in search of the amazing creatures that live there. Then you’ll work with a wildlife artist to create crazy beach art using things that have washed up on the beach!

Where: South Landing Local Nature Reserve, Flamborough, East Yorkshire
Time: 10:30am & 1pm
Date: 16 August
Price: £1.50 per child – each child must be accompanied by an adult (16+), who goes for free
Click here for more information or call 01482 395321 to book

If you're planning a summer picnic in the park, don't forget to check out our tips for a perfect picnic!