What’s On July & August

July

Saturday 1 July to 22 July

CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE OPEN AIR

EXHIBITION

Saturday 8 July to 3 September

REPLAY: A LIMITED RECYCLED PLAYGROUND

Exhibition Space, Royal Festival Hall. Part installation, part adventure playground, REPLAY is a space built entirely out of waste materials, repurposed for fun. 0-11yrs, adult and child £6.50. Book online: Southbankcentre.co.uk

Saturday 8 July

ACCCESSIVAL

Thomley, Worminghall. 11am-10pm.

Food and drink stalls, live local bands and activities for children. Pre-book online: Thomley.org.uk

DESBOROUGH CARNIVAL

Desborough Road, High Wycombe. Celebration of music and culture, 11am-4pm, drop-in, free. Mywycombe.com

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS

Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury. This one-man show brought to you by Vintage Verse uses only the author’s original words to tell the story afresh. Doors 11am, show 12pm. Booking required, adult £8, child £5.50 plus booking fee. Discoverbucksmuseum.org

YOUNG RANGERS

10am-3pm, drop-in, free. Mymarlow.co.uk

Sunday 16 July

BAND CONCERT

Memorial Gardens, The Broadway, Old Amersham.

2.30-4.30pm, free. Also 30 Jul, 13 & 27 Aug. Amersham-tc.gov.uk

FOR YOU FESTIVAL

Crabtree Farm, Ley Hill. A festival for all the family, performances on stage, marquee activities and meet the animals. 12-5pm,tickets £5. Book online: Thetheatreshed.co.uk

OLD AMERSHAM ARTISAN MARKET

The Broadway Old Amersham. 10am-3pm, free. Coopersmarkets.com

SUMMER FAIR

Missenden Abbey, Great Missenden.

A wide range of activities and entertainment for all the family to enjoy. Includes: craft & gift stalls, live music, kids rides & spitfire flyover (weather permitting). 11am-4pm, adults £4, child £2 u2’s free. Book tickets online: Missendenabbey.co.uk

Thursday 20 July to 3 September

BUILD A BFG

May

Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury. Be inspired by the creative talents of the young artists from across Bucks who have entered work in this Open Art Exhibition. Come and enjoy their art and vote for your favourite. Discoverbucksmuseum.org

Saturday 1 July

PICNIC IN THE PARK

West Common, Gerrards Cross. Fun fair, live music, stalls & food. 12-7pm, drop-in, free. ly

Sunday 2 July

GREAT MISSENDEN ARTISAN MARKET

High Street, Great Missenden. 10am-3pm, free, food and drink plus some non food stands from local businesses. Also on 6 Aug. Coopersmarkets.com

WHIZZFIZZFEST

Vale Park, Aylesbury.

Musical playground, performances, pottery painting, musical instrument making and a storytelling tent. 11am-4pm, free. Whizzfizzfest.org.uk

Monday 3 July

MINI MONDAYS

Iver Environment Centre. Crafts, tails and stories. 10am-12pm, 2-5yrs, £6.50, pre-book online.: Iverenvironmentcentre.org

College Lake, nr Tring. A wildlife club for children 8-11 yrs. 10.30am-12.30pm, booking required, £7. Bbowt.org.uk

Sunday 9 July

GERRARDS CROSS ARTISAN MARKET

Station Road, Gerrards Cross. 10am-3pm, free. Coopersmarkets.com

GREEN FESTIVAL

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles. Get involved in fun activities for the whole family, including Arbor the Tree theatrical performance, family activities, eco-friendly market, horse riding nymph, spoon carving demonstrations, live folk music and lots more. 10am-5pm, book online, Coam.org.uk

Saturday 15 July

FESTIVAL OF ARTS

Market Place, Old Amersham. Showcasing artwork by local artists. 10am-5pm, drop-in, free. Amersham-tc.gov.uk

WHIZZFIZZFEST- HATS OFF Chesham High Street. Music, magic shows, crafting, climbing walls, giant bubbles & more. 12-6pm, drop-in, free. Whizzfizzfest.org.uk

WILD MARLOW BEE FESTIVAL

Higginson Park, Marlow. Talks and demonstrations, guided walks around the park, exhibitors and activities for children.

Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden. Pick up a free trail sheet from the ticket desk and explore the Museum. Free with Museum entry. Roalddahlmuseum.org

Thursday 20 July to Thursday 27 July

THE BFG STORYTELLING

Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden. Listen to the Museum’s expert storytellers read from The BFG. Free with Museum entry. Also on 1 August to 3 Sep. Roalddahlmuseum.org

Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 July

CLASSIC VEHICLE SHOW

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles. Come and admire an amazing collection of classic cars, motorcycles and historic bicycles. Book online: Coam.org.uk

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton. All aboard a train ride with Thomas, say Hello to Sir Topham Hatt and join Rusty and Dusty for a trainload of fun. Booking required: Bucksrailcentre.org

Saturday 22 July to 2 September

MECHANICS ALIVE! EXHIBITION

Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury. A humerous, hands-on exhibition combining art, science and engineering to delight all the family. Book online: Discoverbucksmuseum.org

Saturday 22 July to 3 September

FESTIVAL OF FUN

Odds Farm Park, near Beaconsfield. Live entertainment on every day in the school holidays plus carnival-themed crafts, outdoor summer games, daily discos, baby animals and make a splash in H2Odds water play area. Book online: Oddsfarm.co.uk Satu

Saturday 22 July to 4 September

BEANO GOES WILD

Whipsnade Zoo, nr Dunstable.

Join the Beano characters on a comic strip trail, meet the amazing animals and join in with blamtastic games and interactive challenges. 5+yrs, free with admission. Whipsnadezoo.org

Saturday 22 July to 28 August

PERFORM IN THE PARK

A magical festival of children’s theatre in the heart of London. Four fantastic musicals for children aged 2-14 plus evening events for teens. Set in a pop-up tent in Coram’s Fields WC1N 1DN, families can also enjoy the park with wide lawns and wonderful play areas. Bring a picnic or enjoy the charming all-day café. Tickets start at £14.50. Visit performinthepark.uk for more information and to book tickets.

Tuesday 25 July

CLAY SNOZZCUMBERS

Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden. 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm. Find out about the disgusterous snozzcumber, the very much hated food of the BFG. Make your own snozzcumber out of clay. £4 per person plus Museum entry. Suitable for age 5 and up. Also held on: 2, 8, 16, 22 & 30 August. Roalddahlmuseum.org

EVENING FAMILY EXPLORERS

Iver Environment Centre.

An evening of family fun!

5pm-7.30pm, 3-10yrs, £6/£8 with workshop. Pre-book online. Iverenvironmentcentre.org

Wednesday 26 July

BIG FRIENDLY PLAY

Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden.

10.30am, 12pm, 1.30pm and 3pm

Perfect for drama lovers! Work together to tell the entire story of the BFG and Sophie. £5 per person plus Museum entry. Suitable for age 7 and up. Book online: Roalddahlmuseum.org

SPONGEBOB THE MUSICAL

Queen Elizabeth Hall, The South Bank Centre. An all-singing, all dancing, dynamic stage show. Ages 6+. See website for show times, relaxed performance on 16 August, BSL interpreted performance on 19 August. Tickets from £22.50. Book online: Southbankcentre.co.uk

SUMMER FAMILY NATURE DAY

Field Studies Centre, Amersham. Explore the grounds, look for wildlife, follow the trail to find the clues and make some crafts. 10.30am-3pm, £5 adult, £5 child. Booking required online: Field-studies-council.org/Families

Wednesday 26 July to 31 August

GARDEN GAMES

Waddesdon Manor, near Aylesbury. 10am-3pm. Various games available to borrow on your visit to Waddesdon. Included with grounds admission Waddesdon.org.uk

Friday 28 July to Sunday 30 July

REVOLTING RHYMES OPERA

Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden. Waterperry Festival are bringing their muchcelebrated musical rendition of Revolting Rhymes to the courtyard. See website for times & to book: Roalddahlmuseum.org

Saturday 29 July

COMIC CLUB

The Story Museum, Oxford. Develop your comic making skills. 11am-12.30pm, age 8-11yrs, booking required £12. Storymuseum.org.uk

AN EVENING OF OPERA

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles

A love story built around your favourite opera classics.Pre-book online: Coam.org.uk

Saturday 29 July to 6 August

HOLTSPUR SCARECROW TRAIL

Holtspur School & Pre School near Beaconsfield. Find all the Scarecrows and vote for your favourites. Collect Trail map for £2.50 from: Thirst4Coffee, HP9 1DN; Londis Newsagent, Mayflower Way or Beacon Centre, Holtspur Way. Holtspursch.co.uk

Sunday 30 July

ZOOLAB ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS

Waddesdon Manor, near Aylesbury. 11am-4pm. Included with grounds admission Waddesdon.org.uk

Monday 31 July to Friday 4 August

STORY EXPLORERS: FEARSOME FRUITS AND VENOMOUS PLANTS

The Story Museum, Oxford. Story Explorer courses offer young people aged 8-12 the opportunity to explore their creativity, with guest appearances from professional storymakers including authors, artists, musicians and drama practitioners. 10am-4pm, £44 pre-booking required online: Storymuseum.org.uk

WILD WEEK

Iver Environmental Centre. Five days of fun activities. 10am-4pm, 7-11yrs, £185 for the week, £150 for siblings. Pre-book online: Iverenvironmentcentre.org

August

Tuesday 1 August

CREATE A DREAM JAR Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden. 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm £4 per person plus Museum entry. Suitable for age 5 and up. Book online: Roalddahlmuseum.org

NATURE EXPLORERS DAY CAMP College Lake, nr Tring. 10am-3pm, 7-12yrs, booking required, £35. Also on: 8,17,24 Aug. Bbowt.org.uk

TERRIFIC TUESDAYS by Katie Taylor

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles. Themed crafts and activities all included in the standard admission price. On all Tues in Aug. Coam.org.uk

Thursday 3 August

ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND Waddesdon Manor, near Aylesbury. 6.30pm, adult £17.50, child £13.50 (incl. shuttle). Waddesdon.org.uk

BIG FRIENDLY WALK

Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden. Explore the picture-perfect village of Great Missenden, the place that inspired so many of the stories. £4 per person plus Museum entry. Book online: Roalddahlmuseum.org

Friday 4 August to Sunday 6 August

CIRCUS WORKSHOP

Waddesdon Manor, near Aylesbury. Circus workshops are fun for all the family. 11am-4pm, free with admission. Waddesdon.org.uk

Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 August

BRITAIN AT WAR

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles. Learn what life was like during some of Britain’s wars. Take part in some swing dancing! Coam.org.uk

Monday 7 August to Friday 11 August

STORY EXPLORERS: THE POWER OF PUPPETS

The Story Museum, Oxford. 10am-4pm, pre-booking required, £44, Storymuseum.org.uk

Thursday 10 August

LEGO MASTER BULDERS

The Story Museum, Oxford. Join Master Builder and his friend Brick Grylls on an expedition to Camp LEGO. 11am, age 5+, booking required, £16.50. Thestorymuseum.org.uk

WIND IN THE WILLOWS

Waddesdon Manor, nr Aylesbury. 6.30pm, booking required online: Waddesdon.org.uk

Friday 11 to Sunday 13 Aug

JUNKYARD ORCHESTRA SOUNDGARDEN Waddesdon Manor, nr Aylesbury. 11am-4pm, included with grounds admission Waddesdon.org.uk

Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 August

TUDOR COURTROOM

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles. Listen to tales of slander and deceit. Be part of the jury with the fate of the accused in your hands. Coam.org.uk

Sunday 13 August

PEPPA PIG

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre. Meet Peppa, unlimited train rides and a circus workshop, book online, bucksrailcentre.org

Monday 14 Aug

MINI MONDAYS

Iver Environment Centre. Crafts, tails and stories. 10am-12pm, 2-5yrs, £6.50, pre-book online. IverEnvironmentCentre.org

Tuesday 15 to 26 August

BLIPPI THE WONDERFUL WORLD TOUR

Oxford Playhouse.

Dance, sing, and learn with Blippi and special guest. Also showing at Wycombe Swan on 18-20 September, wycombeswan.co.uk Oxfordplayhouse.com

Wednesday 16 August

A MAMMOTH DAY OUT

College Lake, nr Tring.

Visit with the whole family and discover its prehistoric past. 10.30am-12pm & 2pm-3.30pm, 2yrs+, booking required, adults free, child £8. Bbowt.org.uk

Thursday 17 August

LEGO MASTER BULDERS

The Story Museum, Oxford.

Animal Rangers Ray and Rachel have got a ‘mammoth’ task to do. The animals have escaped from their enclosure, and we need the help of our Master Builders to restore order at Legoleat Safari. 2.30pm, age 8+, booking required, £16.50 Thestorymuseum.org.uk

TALE OF PETER RABBIT AND BENJAMIN BUNNY Waddesdon Manor, near Aylesbury. 6.30pm, booking required. Waddesdon.org.uk

Thursday 17 August and Friday 18 August

FAMILY FUN DAY

Iver Environment Centre. Also 24-25 Aug. 10am-12.30pm or 1.30-4pm, 3-10yrs, £6/£8 with workshop. Pre-book online:Iverenvironmentalcentre.org

Friday 18 and Saturday 19 August

SHED OF STORIES

Waddesdon Manor, near Aylesbury 11am-4pm. Included with grounds admission. Waddesdon.org.uk

Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 August

RAGGED VICTORIANS

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles. Learn about the less than savoury aspects of Victorian Life. Coam.org.uk

Sunday 20 August

SENDSATIONAL MORNINGS

Natural History Museum at Tring. An opportunity for children with neurodiverse conditions to enjoy the Museum at a quieter time. 10am-12pm, free, pre-book online: Nhm.ac.uk

Friday 25 August

HASBRO STARS LIVE ON STAGE

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street. Get ready for fun, laughter and lots of singing and dancing in the unique multi-character live stage show. 12pm and 3.30pm. Pre-booking required online: Atgtickets.com/Aylesbury

Summer holiday and term time fun with Perform

Perform are ensuring a fun-packed July and August with their Wizard of Oz drama, dance and singing holiday courses plus their first ever festival of children’s theatre, Perform in the Park. See page 6. Children can sing and dance down the yellow brick road with the Wizard of Oz. With colourful costumes, uplifting songs and dazzling dancing, children ages 4 to 10 will have the best fun of the summer as they bring this story to life. This five-day course runs in Beaconsfield on 14-18 August from 10am to 3pm each day. Book online at perform.org.uk/wizard

And Perform’s term time classes are back in September and there’s no better time for your child to try Perform. Packed with self-esteem boosting activities, Perform’s weekly classes get the academic year off to a flying start with a fun and relaxed focus on developing confidence, communication, co-ordination and concentration. Using a mix of drama, dance and singing, these high-energy classes are designed to allow even the most reticent children to shine. Classes are for all abilities and every child is welcome to try a free class (see venues below). Book a FREE class at: perform.org.uk/try

Perform weekly drama, dance and singing classes Confidence-building drama classes for 4-7s and 7-12s. A unique mix of fun drama games, dance and singing specially designed to boost confidence, communication, concentration and coordination. To book a FREE class in Amersham, Beaconsfield, Berkhamsted, Gerrards Cross, Tring and Wendover, visit: perform.org.uk/try

Friday 25 to Monday 28 August

CLIMBING WALL & ARCHERY

Waddesdon Manor, near Aylesbury 11am-4pm. Included with grounds admission. Waddesdon.org.uk

Saturday 26 to Monday 28 August

VIKING RAID

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles. The Vikings have taken over but the Saxon’s are fighting back! Pre-book online: Coam.org.uk

Saturday 26 August

LIVE IN THE PARK

Vale Park, Aylesbury. 12-9.30pm, Live music & entertainment. Aylesburytowncouncil.gov.uk

Tuesday 29 August

SWISHWIFFLING SCIENCE

Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden. 10.30am, 12pm, 1.30pm and 3pm, 5+yrs. Book online: Roalddahlmuseum.orgWed

Wednesday 30 August

DINO DAYCollege Lake, nr College Lake, nr Tring. 10.30am-12pm & 2pm-3.30pm, 2+yrs, booking required, adults free, child £8. Bbowt.org.uk

Thursday 31 August

ROBIN HOOD Waddesdon Manor, near Aylesbury 6.30pm. Adult £17.50, child £13.50, (incl. shuttle.) Waddesdon.org.uk

Friday 1 to Sunday 3 September

CHILLI FEST Waddesdon Manor, near Aylesbury Prices vary. Pre-booking required: Waddesdon.org.uk

Kids in the kitchen

Cooking empowers kids in the kitchen and gives them lifelong skills for when someday (not so long away), they’ll be preparing meals for themselves or their own families.

Give your child the opportunity to get creative in the kitchen with these two fun, easy and nutritious summer lunch recipes that they can make by themselves – or with a little help.

Chicken Caesar Salad Kebabs

Makes 6 skewers

Everything is more fun on a stick! This isn’t your typical salad lunch since all of the components are separate and you can choose to include what you like. Serve the kebabs with the easy, creamy home-made dressing for dipping and you have a seriously tasty lunch.

Get ready!

Grab a liquid measuring cup, a small bowl, a whisk or fork, a knife and cutting board, six small wooden skewers or paper lollipop sticks and measuring spoons.

Get set!

¼ cup (60ml) mayonnaise or plain greek yogurt;

2 tbsp (30ml) extra virgin olive oil;

1 tbsp (15ml) red wine vinegar or lemon juice;

½ tsp garlic powder;

½ tsp Dijon mustard;

½ tsp Worcestershire sauce;

2 tbsp (13g) grated Parmesan cheese;

Pinch of ground black pepper;

4 Romaine lettuce leaves;

2 slices focaccia bread or any bread;

1 (6–8oz [170–226g) cooked chicken breast (such as leftover cooked chicken or store-bought rotisserie chicken);

8 cherry or grape tomatoes.

Go!

First, make the dressing! In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, olive oil, vinegar, garlic powder, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Parmesan cheese and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use or pack in small containers.

Cut the lettuce, bread and chicken into bite-sized pieces or cubes. Cut the tomatoes in half. Place all of these ingredients onto six small skewers in any order you like.

Eat right away or pack the skewers into containers with some dressing on the side for dipping and store in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.

Mix it up!

Create different sandwich kebab combinations. Try hardboiled egg, cheese cubes, rolled ham or turkey, bacon, cucumber chunks and different kinds of bread.

One Pot Mac and Cheese with Trees

Makes 4 servings

Are you obsessed with creamy, cheesy pasta? Me too! Ditch the box because you won’t believe how easy this mac is to make from scratch. You cook both the pasta and the sauce at the same time and in the same pot—it’s like a magic trick! If you don’t love broccoli, feel free to leave it out or stir in some frozen peas when you add the cheese at the end of the recipe. American cheese makes the sauce extra creamy but if you don’t have any, you can replace it with 1 more cup (113g) of shredded Cheddar.

Get ready!

Grab a large liquid measuring cup, a large pot, a wooden spoon and dry measuring cups and spoons.

Get set!

2 cups (480ml) whole or semi-skimmed milk;

1 cup (240ml) water;

½ tsp kosher salt;

2 cups (128g) elbow macaroni or small shell pasta;

2 cups (182g) frozen broccoli florets;

1 cup (113g) shredded Cheddar cheese;

3 slices American cheese, ripped into pieces.

Go!

In a large pot, add the milk, water and salt and place the pot over medium heat. Once the pot starts to bubble, stir in the pasta and turn the heat down to medium-low. Cook the pasta for five minutes, stirring often and making sure the pot doesn’t boil over. If the liquid starts to bubble up close to the top of the pot, turn the heat down more and keep stirring. After five minutes, stir in the broccoli and cook for five minutes or until the pasta is tender.

Turn off the heat and add the Cheddar cheese and American cheese. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy. Serve!

Chef’s tip If using fresh broccoli for this recipe, use a small paring knife to cut small florets off the larger head of broccoli. You want all the florets to be roughly the same size so they cook in the same amount of time. Always supervise kids when using knives in the kitchen.

These delightful recipes are just two of many featured in the new book Kid Kitchen by Heather Staller, a trained culinary professional and parent of two. Reprinted with the permission of Page Street Publishing Co. 2023.

Photos: Michelle Boule.