Forest Festival, The Lexicon Bracknell, 24 Aug-4 Sep

The tree giants are returning to Bracknell (24 Aug-4 Sep) – and they’re bring a couple of pals too. Two new giants join the Forest Guardians team this year at The Lexicon. It’s a largely free event, to get us outdoors and closer to nature. While you’re mooching around the shops meet the five giants, follow the Seedling Sprite Trail, there’s immersive theatrical journey into The Night Forest (£5pp), entertainers and a special The Lexicon Fifth Birthday Proms on Sat 3 Sep.

The World of Peter Rabbit Trail, The Base Greenham

Hop to The Base Greenham for The World of Peter Rabbit Storytime Trail from now-25 Sep. This is a magical walk-through experience aimed at under 7s who will be immersed into Peter’s world as they crawl under the garden gate, hide in a watering can and see their reflection in a mirror pool. Photo opps and crafting aplenty.

Polo Festival 2022, Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club Warfield

A horsey family-friednly Polo Festival set in the stunning grounds of ‘The Berkshire’ (14 Aug). Not just a sport for royalty, rock stars and the Hollywood A list, this day out includes two action-packed polo matches, live music, Kids’ Zone, fully-stocked Polo Bar, food and of course that Pretty Woman moment of ‘Stomping the Divots’!

The Labyrinth Challenge Summer XL, Newbury Showground

Think your kids are up for the challenge? The biggest and best inflatable obstacle course will put them to the test. The Labyrinth Challenge Summer XL is the family event of the summer, and it’s coming to the Newbury Showground on the 20-21 Aug! 1000ft of bouncy fun to negotiate – LOLs guaranteed. Tickets £20.

Clip N Climb Reading

Buckle up, tap into your Spidey senses and scale some walls. A climbing centre – Clip N Climb Reading – opens at the end of July, aimed at adults and kids. The emphasis is having fun rather than scaling Everest. But are you brave enough to take on the Stairway to Heaven or launch down an 8m high drop slide? *Gulp* There are 24 features, suitable for ages 4+.

Safari Summer, Beale Wildlife Park, Pangbourne

Fancy something wilder? Beale Wildlife Park, near Pangbourne, is a guaranteed hit with kids who love all things furry, creepy and crawly. It has the little fellas – meerkats, lemurs and reptiles – as well as the big guns, including lynx, zebras, alpacas and bears. Don’t miss the Safari Summer weekends (27-29 Aug) when there will be balloon modelling, face painting, bubble performer and more.

Go Ape, Swinley Forest Bracknell and Black Park Slough

Aaaaarraaaagh! Time to get high on life at Go Ape – a forest adventure for all ages that will test your balance, bravery and dignity. There’s a 1hr Junior Tree Top Adventure (suitable for kids 1m+) with wobbly bridges, intricate crossings and a zip wire finale… Fancy something more challenging, tackle the Tree Top Challenge (ages 10+ and 1.4m+ tall) or Tree Top Challenge +. Or there’s a whizzy Segway tour through the forest and axe throwing. Adrenaline junkies will love it.

Outdoor theatre

Take it outside at Savill Garden in Windsor. First up Cinderella – glass slippers, footman and pumpkin coach all provided by The Queen (she’s all partied out) on 28 Aug. Then it’s Shakespearean favourite Romeo & Juliet (29 Aug). There’s also an Abba tribute band on 27 Aug, no drama (unless there’s a backstage bust up), but will be fun. On the other side of the county at Shaw House in Newbury, Immersion Theatre will letting their hair down for the family favourite Rapunzel on 17 Aug.

Windsor Duck Tours, Windsor

I’m not sure Roger Moore would approve of this amphibious motor, but then you won’t get many passengers in his water bound Lotus Esprit. Good job we have the Windsor Duck Tour bus to whizz around the historic streets of Windsor for dunking into the river. Rain or shine, this is fun history lesson/ sightseeing adventure. 

Mud & Guts Workshop, Bucklebury Farm

Lots going on down at Bucklebury Farm this summer. As well as feeding the animals and allowing your kids run free range, don’t miss the Party at the Farm on 14 Aug, Archery on 20 Aug and and Family Fun Weekender over the August Bank Holiday. Persil Bio on standby.

Outdoor Cinema, Dinton Pastures Country Park, Wokingham, 13-27 Aug

Grab your picnic blanket and see the classics this summer at Dinton Pastures. Renée Zellweger pulls out her big pants again in Bridget Jones’s Diary (13 Aug). Spielberg’s makes a song and dance of West Side Story (20 Aug) and there’s a double bill on 27 Aug to see Clueless and Legally Blonde. Bit of a festival vibe at this one, with music, street food and drink stands.

Wild Play Trail, Basildon Park, Lower Basildon

If your wild things come in small human form, throughout the summer, Basildon Park‘s Wild PLay Trail should tire them out a bit. Your Bear Grylls wannabes can build den, big hunt, play with the ball runs, walk across the tree beams and stepping stones and more. It’s a great opportunity for the let off steam and get their hands dirty while you waft around the house and spot where Basildon was used in Bridgerton, Pride & Prejudice and Downton Abbey.

Little ones won’t want to miss Tumblestone Hollow’s Sparkle Bright Summer in Henley. The giant Sparkle Bright Flowers will be blooming, and there will be activities like face paint, bubble-blowing, and storytelling galore. It runs until 4 Sep.

Maize Maze and PYO Sunflowers, Cookham, 13-29 Aug

If you’re looking for covert and creative ways to lose your kids for a five minutes over the school holidays, there’s always Maidenhead’s Maize Maze. It opens mid-August, book a slot and set your kids free. You can PYO sunflowers here too and there’s coffee and crafting if you fancy it. Tickets £8.50.

Fancy an arty day out among flowers? Now – 25 Sep, The Altered States Sculpture exhibition is displaying at Shaw House in a celebration of local art and artists – and it’s totes FREE toe ter. The artworks on show cover a range of scales and materials including stone, metal and ceramics, and will also be available to purchase if any catch your fancy.