Friday Jan 18

1 Jungle Kingdom is a children's indoor soft play centre in Swindon open from 9.30am to 6pm, seven days a week. Meet Max the lion and his friend today in the three level Jungle play frame which has wavy slides, roller slides, tunnel slides, spinners and a sinister spiders web. For smaller children there is their own fun in a separate toddler area for the under 3s. For the sporty kids there is a sports pitch for those who want a kick about. The Explorers cafe serves locally roasted coffee and hot and cold snacks and meals, with gluten and dairy free options. Jungle Kingdom is also open to children's birthday parties, hiring out the exclusive party room, with a special visit from Max the lion! The play centre is suitable for Babies and Toddlers (0-3) and Young Children (4-8) and it is based at Unit 9 Crompton Road, Groundwell Industrial Estate, Swindon For more details call 01793 728963

2 The Jolly Roger Adventure is one of the biggest play centres in Swindon, and one of the largest in the South West, open for family fun today. The centre provides a safe and secure environment that allows children to both learn and play within the confines of the soft play area. The centre was set up in 1995 and the Jolly Roger is the perfect place for birthday parties. It is open from 9.15am to 6.30pm from Monday to Thursday, and 9.15am to 6pm from Friday to Sunday. There is Unlimited Play Time, free Wifi and adults have free entry, and free parking. The Jolly Roger is at Greenbridge Road, in Swindon. For more details call 01793 522044

3Kidz About Adventure Play was begun in 2005 with the idea of giving quality indoor play for children up to 12 years. Based at The Spectrum Building, better known as The Renault Building, the 22,000sq ft premises boasts a play frame rising for more than six metres, an Astra-slide, Drop-Slide and Spiral Slide, a Mini Car Track, a football pitch, a separate Toddler Area, as well as a Baby Area (specifically built for children who are not yet mobile). The newest feature is the activity assault course Bouncy Castle. Today and most weekdays in term time there are baby, preschool and after school classes running, a full kitchen service (awarded 5 stars by Swindon Borough Council’s Food Hygiene Rating System) offering a range of adult & children’s meals. There is plenty of seating in the cafe and sofas for grown-ups to sit and enjoy a fresh cup of coffee and a well-earned rest. The play area is for Babies and Toddlers (0-3), Young Children (4-8) and Older Children (9-12). For more details call 01793 524646

4 Beat the Street Orienteering kick off again this year from 11am, at Christchurch Community Centre, Cricklade Street, Swindon. Beat the Street Swindon has teamed up with North Wiltshire Orienteers to offer two very special free events in January: Beat the Street Orienteering is ideal for all ages, bring the whole family to walk, jog or run on this fun treasure hunt around the streets of Swindon tomorrow. Score points by using your map, looking out for clues and tapping your card on the secret Beat Boxes. For more details see www.northwilts.org.uk

5 Ten pin Bowling at Swindon has plenty of lanes to show off that strike tomorrow. The bowling encourages friendly rivalry between friends, family or colleagues. There are special packages for children, teens and adult parties, corporate celebrations, great nights out and a chance to top up your energy with The Lanes' menu and fully licensed bar. After bowling, there is the opportunity to visit the arcades, or go for a game of pool. The family day out includes bowling, arcade centre fun, or you can challenge your child to find the ultimate table tennis champion. The highlight, however, has to be a round of Cosmic Bowling where the lights go down and the music is turned up, all with glow in the dark pins and the chance to disco dance down the lanes! Tenpin fun is suitable for all ages. It is based at Shaw Ridge Leisure Park, Whitehill Way, Swindon. For more details call 0871 222 3675.

6 Kids' Combat Adventures, puts youngsters through their paces tomorrow at J Company Woodland Battlefield, Scotland Hill, in Chippenham. It is great for encouraging leadership skills, working as a team, getting active, being competitive and simply have fun. There is unlimited ammo and the latest MP5 laser tagger. Groups are mixed together with up to a maximum of 34 players. The minimum required is 16 players, to run any event whether this is made up of one, two or more groups. It is open Saturdays and Sundays. For more details call 01249 721196

7 Meet the Railway Workers takes place fortnightly on Saturdays at Steam Railway Museum,, Firefly Avenue, Rodbourne, Swindon. Whatever your age, our friendly team of volunteers will add to the Steam experience as you tour the museum. They will welcome families aboard three famous locomotives: No. 4073 Caerphilly Castle, No. 3717 City of Truro, and No. 6000 King George V! You'll even get to find out how the controls worked on the great engines! Expect to hear some fascinating anecdotes of what it was like to be a GWR engine driver, fireman or labourer; or an engineer, craftsman or office worker at one of the 'Shops' inside GWR's Swindon Works. Our volunteers are happy to help with any questions you may have about the GWR locomotives and artefacts we have on display at Steam. This great experience is free with standard admission and for Steam Season Ticket holders.

Sunday

8 Time to saddle up and mosey on down to Pewsey Vale Riding Centreon Sunday, to enjoy a horse ride from a fully Insured and Inspected stables checked by the British Horse Society and Association of British Riding Schools.The Riding Centre started in the 1980’s as a farm diversification at Church Farm, Stanton St Bernard, and continues this association today. This allows hacking across the farms 2000 acres which edges on to the Marlborough downland. The area is designated an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB). There is also access to a variety of local bridleways including the Ridgeway, direct access to a wide area of beautiful countryside with no road work necessary.The spectacular scenery can offer views of several Iron Age Hill Top Settlements, Silbury Hill, West Kennet Long Barrow, The Wansdyke and Alton Barns White Horse. The stables prides itself in catering for every customer. All the horses have a character and individuality but respond in a well behaved, intelligent manner. The staff are trained and experienced to help every riders. The business is still owned by the founding family, the Reads, who take an active interest in the business. The stables is based at Church Farm, Stanton St Bernard near, Marlborough, For more details call 01672 851 400

9 Lambing time begins at Roves Farm around this time of year with the Poll Dorset Eves set to have their new lambs, but if there are none there is always the Indoor Activity Barn. It is open Sunday for youngsters whatever the weather with giant slides, ropes, ball ponds, pedal tractors and craft tables to create paper crafts to take home. Enjoy homemade light lunches, cakes, snacks and drinks at the Woolly Sheep Café. There is also a Toddler Time and Big Kids Play in the barn. Outside youngsters can meet the animals and learn about farming. There are sheep, pigs and cattle farmed at the Severnfields farm near Highworth and a whole section of cuddly farm pets. For more details visit https://rovesfarm.co.uk/

10 Jubilee Lake, popular with families as a walking and picnic spot, has its own nature reserve open on Sunday. It also has a sizeable play area with a wide variety of well maintained equipment on new rubber safety surfacing. Take a family walk around the lake - not a long walk by any means but enough for a young family is all pushchair friendly and has its own free car park and toilets. The cafe / tea room overlooking the play area has homemade cake, soup, toastie sandwiches the nature trail from the carpark. There are a good number of picnic benches and seats around. There is lots of wildlife and fishing can be done with a permit. Jubilee Lake is based at Malmesbury Road, Royal Wootton Bassett. For more details