This summer, I’ll be taking Little Miss Diva to as many of these 50 free and cheap Bristol activities as I can squeeze in! How about you? Please share your pictures on the Broke in Bristol Facebook page and don’t forget to give us a like so that you never miss an update. Have a great summer everyone!
Mon Jul 22 until Nov 3. Aardman: Animating Early Man at M shed. £5 adult, under 16s free.
Developed with Aardman, this exhibition will take you behind the scenes to show you the making of the movie. Set when prehistoric creatures roamed the earth, Early Man tells the story of caveman Dug who, along with his sidekick Hognob, unites his tribe against the Bronze Age in a battle to beat them at their own game – football. More info.
Mon Jul 22 to Sep 1. The Mall Beach. £2 (£7 per family).
If you fancy a day out at the beach but you don’t feel like travelling very far then why not pop down to the Mall where you can chill out on the sand, cool down under the water fountains and keep the kids amused. There’s something going on every day: Monday (Vintage Seaside Amusements), Tuesday (Pilates) Wednesday (Comedy Beach Sports) Thursday (Yoga) Friday (Desert Island Disco) and at the weekend (Lush Beach Takeover). More info.
Mon Jul 22 to Aug 31. Bears Go To Town, Bristol Shopping Quarter. Free.
Bears Go To Town is this summer’s free family trail around Broadmead, The Arcade, The Galleries, and Cabot Circus, featuring more than 20 beautifully decorated 2D bears. Have your picture taken with all 20 and share using the hashtag #BearsGoToTown. More info.
Wed July 24. The Vassall Centre Summer Fayre, Fishponds. Free.
The Vassall Centre Summer Fayre returns to Fishponds from 10:30am ‘til 2:00pm with Daleks, Tai Chi, yoga classes, a treasure hunt and lots of stalls inside and out. More info.
Thu July 25 to Sept 7. Summertime on the Square. Free.
Bristol Beach Club opens for the summer at Millennium Square in Bristol with games, fitness sessions and, for those of us who prefer to relax, a bar serving cocktails. From the 27th the whole family can also take part in the Bump Roller Disco, see website for prices. More info.
Thu July 25. Craft Workshops at the New Room. £4.
These hour-long workshops feature a different wildlife-themed craft on each date and are suitable for 5-11 year olds. They run from 11am to12noon and 1pm to 2pm. More info.
Thu July 25. Discover: Smells and Sounds at the Crypt. Free.
Families can make a sweet scented bag and compose their own music at this event at St John on the Wall from 11 ‘til 3:30pm. More info.
Fri July 26. Circomedia. Shakespeare’s Women: Hanging by a thread. Free.
As part of the Bristol Shakespeare Festival, this free event looks at the complexities of Shakespeare’s women using aerial circus. This 10-minute session will introduce you to one of Shakespeare’s famous women in a way you have never seen before. More info.
Fri Jul 26 and Sat Jul 27. All aboard for Pirate Fun. The Galleries. Free.
Bring your little buccaneers to join Captain Hook and Smee for some swashbuckling entertainment. They’ll be sailing in on the Jolly Roger to host two pirate shows each day and lots more seaworthy shenanigans. More info.
Fri July 26. Children’s Scrapstore Summer Supporters Day. Free.
From 12 noon until 3:30pm families can drop into the play room for a free scrap challenge activity – no need to book. More info.
Fri July 26. Harbour Nights. Free.
Every Friday during the summer months, the Arnolfiniquay will be filled with street food, DJs and live bands. More info.
Sat July 27 onwards. Bridge Tour. Clifton Toll Booth. Free.
This one’s not for me as I’m petrified of heights but this summer you can go on a free guided tour across the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Walks take place at 3pm every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday during the summer holidays – booking essential. More info.
Sat July 27. Romans at the Villa. Blaise Museum. Free.
Handle real Roman objects and meet friendly Romans from the Ermine Street Guard as part of the Festival of Archaeology. Free but donations welcome, event from 12 ‘til 4pm. More info.
Sat July 27. I Am Making Art at Spike Island. £3 donation.
These monthly activity sessions are aimed at al ages and take place in the Spike Island Café. Drop in from 2 ‘til 5pm. More info.
Weds Jul 31. Family Takeover Days at SS Great Britain. Free.
Learn the ropes by becoming part of the crew for the day and stay on board as a free visitor after your shift! This unique experience is available on certain dates until November 24 – but booking in advance is essential. More info.
Wed Jul 31. The Lorax: Free Outdoor Screening. Big Screen Bristol.
Pack a picnic and cross your fingers for sunshine for this free outdoor screening of The Lorax. The film starts at 12 noon but you should get there early if you want a deck chair. More info.
Wed Jul 31. Autism friendly early opening at the SS Great Britain. £5 (carers free).
Designed for families and individuals with autism, learning difficulties and sensory and communication access needs, this early opening allows visitors to enjoy activities at their own pace without loud sounds and flashing lights or the usual crowds. More info.
Wed Jul 31. Mini Pizza Making at Windmill Hill City Farm. £2.
Families will be able to design and cook their very own mini pizzas in the wood burning oven. Suitable for all ages but under 8’s must be accompanied by an adult. More info.
Thu Aug 1. Wildlife Craft Workshops at New Room. £4.
Wildlife Craft Workshops are being held at the New Room museum in the school summer holidays. Book in for an hour-long workshop and take part in a specific craft activity each time such as mask making and other wildlife-related themes. More info.
Aug 1 to 8. Hoo-ha at Colston Hall. Free.
Hoo-Ha! festival returns this summer for three jam-packed days of music, dancing, and activities for little people and their families. Loads to do including free yoga, hands-on science, art and music. More info.
Fri Aug 2. Harbour Nights. Free.
Every Friday during the summer months, organisers will be taking over the Arnolfiniquay with street food, DJs and live bands. More info.
Sat Aug 3. Redfest. St George’s Park. Free.
Redfest is back and if you’ve never been before this is East Bristol’s annual celebration of the local community, home grown talent and arts and food. The line-up is still to be announced, more info.
Sat Aug 3 Bristol’s Brilliant Archaelogy Festival. Baise Museum. Free.
Join museum archaeologists for a free, fun-packed day full of tours, demonstrations, displays and archaeological activities. More info.
Sun Aug 4. Islamic Cultural Fayre 2019. Eastville Park. Free.
This family friendly event is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and you can expect live performances, exhibitions, five-a-side football and lots of food and drink. More info.
Sun Aug 4. Friends of Southey Park Family Festival. Free.
This promises to be a fun day for the whole family with food and drink, entertainment and stalls and activities. More info.
Tue Aug 6. See Hear Storytelling. Brunel’s SS Great Britain. Free.
Storyteller Sarah Mooney captivates the imaginations of young visitors and their families. Her free sessions mix original tales with new twists on classic legends. Children can join in the action with stories of whales and angelfish, pirate treasure and stormy seas. Drop in – no need to book. More info.
Wed Aug 7. Beasts of the Southern Wild, Big Screen Bristol. Free.
In a forgotten but defiant bayou community cut off from the rest of the world by a sprawling levee, a six-year-old girl, Hushpuppy, exists on the brink of becoming an orphan. This film is classified as a 12U. More info.
Wed Aug 7. Bristol Play Day. Castle Park. Free.
Bring a Picnic and come and play for free in Castle Park to celebrate National Play Day 2019. Lots to do including creative and musical areas. More info.
Thu Aug 8. Wildlife Craft Workshops at New Room. £4.
Wildlife Craft Workshops are being held at the New Room Museum in the school summer holidays. Book in for an hour-long workshop and take part in a specific craft activity each time such as mask making and other wildlife-related themes. More info.
Thu Aug 8 to 11. Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. Free.
Undeniably one of the highlights of the summer, you can either take the kids to Ashton Court or watch the festival from one of the city’s vantage points. My favourite is Perrett Park, but you can also pack a picnic and check out Clifton Downs, Bedminster Down, Leigh Woods, Brandon Hill and Victoria Park. More info.
Thu Aug 8 to 11. The Bristol Motorhome and Caravan Show. Free.
Ashton court will also play host to the Bristol Motorhome and Caravan Show over this August weekend where serious campers will be able to check out all the latest motorhomes, caravans, camping products and services. More info.
Fri Aug 9. Harbour Nights. Free.
Every Friday during the summer months, organisers will be taking over the Arnolfiniquay with street food, DJs and live bands. More info.
Sat Aug 10. Dream and Make at Spike Island. £3 donation.
This Dream and Make workshop is inspired by the current exhibition and explores themes around memories and imagined narratives. From 2 ‘til 4, booking advised. More info.
Wed Aug 14, Bambie. Big Screen Bristol. Free.
Take the kids to this free screening of Bambi at the Millennium Square from 12 noon. Pack a picnic and a blanket or get there early for deck chair seating. More info.
Thu Aug 15. Fall in love with flies at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery. Free, donations welcome.
Fall in love with flies and find out why insects are so crucial to our ecosystems. The talk will be based on stories from Dr McAlister’s book, The Secret Life of Flies. 7.15-8.15pm. More info.
Thu Aug 15. Wildlife Craft Workshops at New Room. £4.
Wildlife Craft Workshops are being held at the New Room Museum in the school summer holidays. Book in for an hour-long workshop and take part in a specific craft activity each time such as mask making and other wildlife-related themes. More info.
Fri Aug 16. Harbour Nights. Free.
Every Friday during the summer months, you can head on down to the Arnolfiniquay where you will find street food, DJs and live bands. More info.
Sat Aug 17. Barton Hill Rugby Club Cider Festival. £5 in advance, £7 on the door, under 16s free.
You can look forward to an outdoor bar, rugby games, BBQ, funfair, ice cream, stalls, bouncy castle and music from Mad Doctors, Teresa Sims and Supersonic. More info.
Tue Aug 20. Stories from the SS Great Britain. Hillfields library. Free.
Bring the children along between 2.30 and 3.30pm, where they can listen to maritime stories, take part in games and enjoy sensory play. Costume, games and even mystery smells will bring to life the stories of passengers and crew on board. Find out how children entertained themselves on board and create your own Victorian toy to take away. More info.
Aug 21 Avatar, Big Screen Bristol. Free.
This free film screening starts at 7:30pm and if you’ve never seen it, it tells the story of a paraplegic marine dispatched to the moon on a unique mission who becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feel is his home. More info.
Thu Aug 22. Wildlife Craft Workshops at New Room. £4.
Wildlife Craft Workshops are being held at the New Room Museum in the school summer holidays. Book in for an hour-long workshop and take part in a specific craft activity each time such as mask making and other wildlife-related themes. More info.
Thu Aug 22. Apple Bros – Burger and Cider Festival. Free.
Apple Bros will be returning for another year of Burgers, beers and boats. Expect outdoor BBQ, a beer bike run by Kona Brewing, local Bristol bands and DJs, apple bobbing, coconut shy, glitter and lots of dancing! Tickets are free, with an optional donation to chosen charity the Bristol Drugs Project. More info.
Fri Aug 23. Harbour Nights. Free.
Every Friday during the summer months, organisers will be taking over the Arnolfiniquay with street food, DJs and live bands. More info.
Sat Aug 24 & 25. Swinefest. The Swan, Swineford. Free.
Head on down to The Swan over the Bank Holiday weekend for live music, a hog roast, bouncy castle and face painting. More info.
Wed Aug 28. Water Play at Windmill Hill City Farm. £2 per child.
Build your own water system using recycled drainpipes, bath tubs, pumps, buckets, climbing frames, pots, watering cans and hose pipes. More info.
Thu Aug 29. Wildlife Craft Workshops at New Room. £4.
Wildlife Craft Workshops are being held at the New Room Museum in the school summer holidays. Book in for an hour-long workshop and take part in a specific craft activity each time such as mask making and other wildlife-related themes. More info.
Fri Aug 30. Harbour Nights. Free.
Every Friday during the summer months, organisers will be taking over the Arnolfini quay with street food, DJs and live bands. More info.
Sat Aug 31. The Hearth – Bristol’s Folklore Centre. Free.
After such a positive response to their last exhibition, organisers are now working to protect Bristol and South West charms, antiques, history, folk stories, spaces and wisdom. This event will take place from 10am ‘til 6pm at a venue to be confirmed. Keep an eye on their Facebook page.
Rainy days. Vue Cinema & Odeon. From £2.50.
Take kids to the cinema from as little as £2.50 during the school summer holidays if they haven’t yet seen the Paw Patrol or Pokemon movies. See Vue Mini Mornings or Odeon Kids for times and dates. Little Miss Diva and I enjoy up to 50% off the cinema all year round with our Gourmet Card. Want to know how to get your hands on one for free? Send me an email at hi@brokeinbristol.co.uk.
All holidays. Adventure playgrounds, Bristol. Free.
Have you been to one of Bristol’s adventure playgrounds yet? This is a great place for kids to be active, meet other local children and it’s all for free. There’s one in Southmead, St Paul’s, Easton and Lockleaze – see individual websites for exact opening times and activities. More info.
Have a sensational summer everyone and if you have a fab time at any of the events I’ve listed please send me your pictures and I’ll share them on my social media pages using the hashtag #BrokeInBristol. If you love local deals, discounts and affordable days out then don’t forget to like Broke in Bristol on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
