Find your inner child this summer at Westonbirt

As adults, many of us focus heavily on work and other commitments and somewhere between childhood and adulthood, we stopped playing. We never seem to have time for pure fun, especially like we used to. But playing isn’t just for kids.

This summer the team at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum are all set to get you in the mood to play. It’s been proven that play as an adult is an important source of relaxation, can help fuel your imagination, help problem solving, boost your creativity and energy levels, improve relationships, keep you young at heart and ultimately improve your health and wellbeing.

Even better, kids play for free all summer! Get the kids involved and play together as there is free admission for children from 22 July until 3 September.

Nia Crouch, Westonbirt’s Engagement Manager, says:

“Whatever your age, we have a playful event and activity for you this summer! Bring the children and join them to run, hop, skip, hide-and-seek their way through Silk Wood exploring our new summer play trail. We encourage everyone to have fun being a big kid again. We know spending time here this summer will make you feel good and bring a smile to your face.”

For families with young children, the new summer play trail in Silk Wood provides a range of fantastic outdoor games to play. Have a giggle playing healthy hopscotch together, run through the trees playing ’40-40’ or see if you can find hammocks to successfully climb in, lie down, relax and connect with the natural world around you.

Teenagers and adults will have time-travelling fun as they try to crack each clue of the exciting new trail ‘Escape from the Arboretum’, available later in July. Will you succumb to the passage of time or successfully find your way out of Silk Wood’s historical past?

There are family activity days taking place throughout the summer holidays too, giving children the chance to connect with nature and experience wellbeing through play with creative workshops and activities, from running the distance of the tallest tree to trying the woodland honey taste test.

Not forgetting that you and the children can also join Zog this summer, the loveable, if clumsy dragon, on his magical forest adventure to win a golden star. Encourage your young dragons to learn how to care for the forest and how forests can care for them. This family trail, with map and activity pack (available from the shop for £4) follows Zog as he looks for his golden star. Will your child win a star as well?

How about an evening of outdoor cinema under the stars? Pack a picnic and choose a film to enjoy as The Luna Cinema returns 4^th -6^th August, offering a great choice of three films: ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, the iconic musical, ‘Grease!’ and Steven Spielberg's ‘Jurassic Park’.

For those that simply fancy a gentle summer stroll under the cooling shade of the trees, the hugely popular range of guided walks in the arboretum will reveal some of the spectacular floral highlights on show, as well as some hidden gems.

Play is good for your wellbeing. Live in the moment, lose those inhibitions and be guided by your inner child this summer. Remember, you’re never too old to play!