School may be out for summer, but that doesn’t mean your kids need to be bored over the six-week break. In Otley, there’s a whole host of activities lined up to keep little ones entertained all summer long.

As well as our usual parks, gardens and riverside fun, there are plenty of events and camps to get involved in.

First up is Breeze in the Park. Part of a series of events held across Leeds, the Breeze team will be at Garnett’s Field in Otley on Thursday 31st July from noon to 4pm.

Entry is just £1 per child (includes 2 adults) and includes inflatables, arts and crafts, games and activities. There’s an extra charge for henna tattoos, donkey rides, and food and drink. Breeze Pass holders get fast-track access to henna and discounts at many stalls. You can bring a picnic, but no glass bottles or sharp objects allowed. Assistance dogs only.

See https://www.breezeleeds.org/breeze-in-the-park/

In a similar vein, Otley BID is once again sponsoring the Kids Free Funzone in Market Place every Wednesday in August from 11am to 2pm. Expect a climbing wall, crafts, story time, music and dance, crazy golf and more. Local businesses involved include Soma Dance, Puffin Pottery and Inspirations Dance. A full list of weekly activities is included at the end of this article.

There are also several summer camps taking place in Otley over the holidays.

Soma Yoga Kids Creative Summer Camps
August 1st and 8th, 9:30am–3pm, Clifton Village Hall
Aimed at 4 to 11-year-olds, these creative camps feature yoga, play, music and crafting.
Cost: £30 for one day / £50 for both
soma-wellness-otley.co.uk

Chevin Forest School
August 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th, 9:30am–3pm, Johnny Lane LS21
Holiday club for 5 to 11-year-olds featuring den building, woodland crafts, outdoor games, soft archery and more.
Cost: £26 per child per day
chevinforestschool.co.uk

Of course, it wouldn’t be a British summer without a few soggy days thrown in, but don’t worry — Otley has some cracking indoor options too:

Puffin Pottery
2b Boroughgate, Otley LS21 3AL
Open Tuesday–Friday 10am–4pm, Saturday 10am–5pm
Paint-your-own pottery studio with in-house café
puffinpotteryleeds.co.uk

Buttercups
2 Westgate Arcade, Otley LS21 3AT
Open Monday–Friday 9am–3pm
Little Kingdom of Fun soft play area with in-house café
buttercupsotley.co.uk

Buttercups is also offering SEND sessions in August. The SEND-friendly play sessions – a calm, welcoming space where children can just be themselves – will be held from 1.30pm to 3pm on Tuesdays from August 5th to 26th. Only £2 with their Sanity Saver admission.

Back Nine Golf Otley
17 Westgate, Otley LS21 3AT
Open Monday–Thursday 4pm–11pm, Friday–Sunday 10am–11pm
Golf simulators, interactive darts and pool tables
backninegolf.net

Let the summer fun begin!

Otley BID Kids Free Funzone Weekly Activities

August 6th
Climbing Wall
Soma Dance
Crazy Golf
Book reading and crafting

August 13th
Climbing Wall
Puffin Pottery (11am–1:30pm)
Disco + Characters with RASCALS (12pm–2pm)
Games
Book reading and crafting

August 20th
Climbing Wall
Soma Dance
Games
Book reading and crafting

August 27th
Climbing Wall
Puffin Pottery (11am–1:30pm)
Inspirations Dance
Book reading and crafting