When I was a teacher I can’t tell you how much I loved the summer holidays. I realise it’s a bit different as a parent. On the first day of the holidays, with six whole weeks stretching out in front of you, how do you fill the days? Bradford’s ‘Sparkling Bradford’ summer season has it covered with loads of free activities for kids and big kids alike.

The Science and Media Museum’s new space-themed exhibition ‘Hello Universe’ allows you to build you own rockets, take the lego challenge, discover the sights and sounds of space travel and intergalactic adventure talks.

Bradford’s Urban Beach continues all this week in City Park: buckets, spades and deckchairs provided. Hopefully the mirror pool will be reopened from August.

The Bradford Family Film Festival in August celebrates the 10th anniversary of the city’s status as a UNESCO world City of Film. Free films are being shown at the big screen in City Park and at a pop-up cinema in Oastler Market. The Light Cinema and Media Museum are also hosting discounted screenings and there are film crafts and workshops at the Central Library on Centenary Square.

Bradford Cathedral is holding family activity days this week on Tuesday 23 July and Thursday 25 July 10am-2pm with tours, trails, colouring and crafts. Suitable for all ages.

The Bradford Fringe Festival has lots of free or ‘pay as you feel’ events for children and teenagers throughout the summer including a Youth Cafe, arts and crafts and extinct animal making workshops, family friendly comedy event, storytelling and a community farm day at Hornton Park. Check out the programme for more details.

The Broadway Shopping Centre’s Go Wild summer jungle playground opens from Thursday 25 July until the end of the summer holidays. Open daily with special arts and craft days every Thursday.

Starting today until 13 August, East Riddlesden Hall has wild play activities, den building, mud pie making, along with gingerbread demonstrations and bread and butter making workshops.

There’s lots on in Wibsey Park this summer from gardening classes, football, cricket, nature play to model boating on the lake. Have a look at the timetable below, remember to book your places. For details of other parks in the city visit the Bradford District Parks events page.

Keighley by the Sea has its own beach in the Airedale Shopping Centre throughout the summer holidays with live entertainment and giveaways.

I’ll update throughout the summer with any new activities as they come in.

Enjoy and #visitbradford!