Free Cornwall family sessions this summer, rockpools to bootcamps

The long stretch of the summer holidays can be an expensive one to fill. Healthy Cornwall has put together a run of family sessions across the county that cost nothing to join, from turning over rocks on the beach to a teen bootcamp in the park, with a free snack or lunch thrown in at many of them.

The sessions are run by Healthy Cornwall, part of Cornwall Council, and sit alongside the support the team offers all year round. The idea is to get families active, try something new, spend time together and pick up friendly advice on healthier living along the way. Every place is free. Some need booking and fill up quickly, others you can just turn up to.

Here is what is on and where.

Family Rockpool Safari Sessions

Free rock-pooling events giving children the chance to explore, discover and get hands-on with the coast. This is a family event, so guardians are asked to stay for the whole session, and booking is essential. To register, email [email protected].

At Castle Beach, Falmouth:

• Tuesday 28 July, 11am to 1pm
• Monday 3 August, 2pm to 4pm
• Wednesday 12 August, 11am to 1pm
• Monday 17 August, 2pm to 4pm
• Tuesday 25 August, 10am to 12pm
• Wednesday 2 September, 2pm to 4pm

At Charlestown Beach, St Austell:

• Wednesday 29 July, 11.30am to 1.30pm
• Tuesday 4 August, 2pm to 4pm
• Thursday 13 August, 12pm to 2pm
• Tuesday 18 August, 2.30pm to 4.30pm
• Wednesday 26 August, 11am to 1pm
• Tuesday 1 September, 1.30pm to 3.30pm

Crafternoons

A free afternoon of arts and crafts for primary school-aged children, and a chance to make something colourful and try something new. It is a family event, so parents and guardians are asked to stay throughout. No need to book, just turn up.

• Penryn Library, TR10 8JN, Wednesday 5 August, 12.30pm to 2.30pm
• St Austell Family Hub, Chi Austell, White River Place, PL25 5AZ, Wednesday 19 August, 1.30pm to 3.30pm
• ClayTAWC, Fore Street, St Dennis, PL26 8AF, Wednesday 26 August, 1.30pm to 3pm

Children’s Activity Clubs

Arts and crafts, games and play, basic cooking sessions and a free lunch at every session. Designed for primary school-aged children. To book, call 01872 324200 or email [email protected].

• Centenary Methodist Church, Wesley Street, Camborne, every Monday from 27 July to 24 August, 11am to 1pm
• The Centre, Chywoone Hill, Newlyn, Penzance, Wednesday 5, 12, 19 and 26 August, 10am to 1pm

Summer Functional Fitness Bootcamp for 13 to 16 year olds

A free outdoor bootcamp teaching teenagers how to get fit using body weight, local outdoor spaces and simple exercises they can repeat anywhere, with little or no equipment. It runs at Poltair Park, St Austell, every Friday during the summer holidays, 11am to 1pm. To book, email [email protected].

Little Explorers Garden Walks

Relaxed family walks run in partnership with the National Trust, a chance to explore the gardens, spend time outdoors and meet other local families. Your local Health Improvement Practitioner comes along too, to offer advice on family health and wellbeing. No booking needed, just turn up.

• Trelissick Gardens, Feock, near Truro, TR3 6QL, meeting outside the shop, Thursday 6 and 20 August, 10.30am
• Glendurgan Gardens, Mawnan Smith, TR11 5JZ, meeting by reception, Thursday 13 and 27 August, 10.30am

Summer Storytime Session for Under 5s

Families with children aged 0 to 5 are invited to a story session celebrating the Extraordinary Explorers Reading Challenge, with stories, activities and a healthy snack for everyone. It runs at Bodmin Library on Monday 10 August at 10am. No need to book, just turn up.

The full programme, including everything Healthy Cornwall runs across the rest of the year, is on the Healthy Cornwall summer sessions page. The beach safaris and the activity clubs are the ones that need booking, and the team says places go fast.