Young people in Ipswich will benefit from a free iCard this summer - but what activities can they enjoy? Here’s our pick of activities for the first two weeks of the school holidays.
Youngsters from five to 16 who live in Ipswich or attend a state school in the town are being given free iCards for the six-week summer break, as an initiative by Ipswich Borough Council to find more for children to do and stop them falling in with gangs. The community summer holiday programme in local parks is also being extended, with more free activities added, including Jumpers for Goalposts sessions.
Here are our top picks from a wide range of fun sporting sessions over the first two weeks of the holiday, from Wednesday, July 25 through to Friday, August 3.
This is just a selection from what’s on offer, with many more sports and activities to try at at sports centres, parks, pools and other venues around the town. Many activities need to be booked in advance, so check in advance to avoid disappointment.
Wednesday, July 25
Evening: From 6-7pm - Touch rugby and basketball for ages seven to 11, at Inspire Suffolk in Lindbergh Road. From 7-8pm the same sports are available for youngsters aged 12 to 16. These sessions are free, and you can turn up and play with no need to book.
Thursday, July 26
Afternoon: From 2.30-4pm - Family rollerskating for age five upwards, at Northgate Sports Centre. There will be disco music to add to the fun. Bring your own skates if you have them, because the supplies at the sports centre are limited. You can go free with an iCard.
Evening: From 5-6.30pm - Tennis and dance for ages seven to 11, then, from 6.30-8pm, for ages 12 to 16, at Inspire Suffolk. These are free turn up and play sessions.
Friday, July 27
Afternoon: From 2.45-4.15pm - Football for ages eight to 16 at Murray Park. This is a free session with no need to book in advance.
Evening: From 6-7.30pm: Social games for ages seven to 14 at Inspire Suffolk. Free to turn up and play.
Monday, July 30
Morning: From 9.45-11.45am - XTreme Active, for ages 11 to 17, at Murray Park. Games on offer include bazooka ball, bubble football, battlezone archery and extreme dodgeball. It is free to go along.
Afternoon: From 2-3pm - Family Fun, for all ages, at Crown Pools. Enjoy activities with waves, floats and rafts. Youngsters can take part free with an iCard.
Evening: From 6-8pm, Football, music and media at Inspire Suffolk. The first hour is for ages five to 11 and the second hour is for ages 12 to 16. Free sessions.
Tuesday, July 31
Morning: From 10-11.30am - Bouncy play, for ages three to seven, at Whitton Sports Centre. Younger children can enjoy soft play and a pirate, jungle or superhero-themed bouncy castle in an inflatable play area. Free with an iCard.
Afternoon: From 1-2.30 pm at Jubilee Park and 3-4.30pm at Bramford Lane, Jumpers for Goalposts Park Activities. A range of outdoor sports activities suitable for ages eight upwards. Free admission.
Evening: From 5-8pm - Hockey and cricket at Inspire Suffolk. These are free turn up and play sessions, for ages five to 11 from 5 to 6.30pm and ages 12 to 16 from 6.30 to 8pm.
Wednesday, August 1
Morning: From 10am to 12 noon - Archery at Northgate Sports Centre, for age seven plus. This session will be suitable for both beginners and intermediate, and parents are welcome to book a place too. All equipment will be provided. Free with an iCard.
Afternoon: From 12 noon to 4pm - Inflatable Fun Afternoon at Murray Park. The first two hours, from 12 noon to 2pm, is for ages eight to 12, and then from 2 to 4pm there are activities for ages 13 to 17. This is a free event.
Evening: From 6 to 8pm - Touch rugby and basketball at Inspire Suffolk, for ages seven to 11 until 7pm and then for ages 12 to 16. Free sessions.
Thursday, August 2
Morning: From 10-11am - Mini tennis at Northgate Sports Centre for ages five to eight, teaching the basic skills and movements. Then junior tennis for ages nine to 12 from 11am to 12 noon. Both free with an iCard.
Afternoon: From 3-4pm - Karate at Whitton Sports Centre for ages seven to 13. This combines a taster session for the sport with a structured karate session teaching children the basic skills. This is free with an iCard.
Evening - From 5-6.30pm - Dance and tennis for ages seven to 11, then, from 6.30-8pm, for ages 12 to 16, at Inspire Suffolk. These are free sessions.
Friday, August 3
Morning: From 9.30 am-12.30pm - Family trampolining at Northgate Sports Centre. Three separate hour-long sessions over the morning, all for ages three upwards and free with an iCard.
Afternoon: From 2-4pm - Hip hop dance sessions at Nansen Road Baptist Church, in the large hall. The first hour, from 2-3pm, is for ages five to 11, and the second hour, from 3-4pm, is for ages 12-17. These are free sessions.
Evening - From 6-7.30pm: Social games for ages seven to 14 at Inspire Suffolk. Again, it is free to turn up and play.
Check the borough council summer holiday activities website to find out if your child is eligible for a free iCard and see a full list of activities. Bookable activities can be booked online with an iCard up to seven days ahead. Some events are run by Inspire Suffolk, and you can find more details on these via their website.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here