Summer: Things to do with the family in Swansea City Centre
Jul 22, 2016

Summer is here and the kids are off from school – what to do?!
The Big Heart of Swansea have compiled a list of events and things to do with the family in Swansea City Centre this Summer that’ll keep the family entertained.
1. National Waterfront Museum
- K’Nex Trains, Tracks & Bridges: Tuesday 2nd – Saturday 6th August, 12.30pm-3.30pm – FREE.
Add to NWM’s giant railroad track with your own train, tunnel, bridge, signal or level crossing.
- Toddler Time Monthly Movies [Bambi]: Wednesday 3rd August, 10.30am – FREE.
Enjoy a free fun movie screening each month exclusively for preschool children and their parents or carers – plus a half price hot drink from the cafe. This classic Disney tale of a young deer and his woodland friends finding their way in the world has been a favourite for generations.
- Cloud Decoders: Monday 8th – Saturday 13th August, 12.30pm-3.30pm – FREE.
Drop in to make a nifty decoder to help you identify the main cloud types
- Summer Science: Tuesday 9th – Thursday 11th August, 11.30am, 1pm & 3pm – Booking Required.
Join CBBC’s science communicator Jon Chase to learn about the fascinating Science of Summer and how to make a cloud in a jam jar. Suitable for age 7 and over.
- Pre-loved Popup Fair: Sunday 14th August, 10am-4pm – FREE.
Do you love the charm of second hand and the unique beauty of quirky one-off vintage? From nostalgic finery and home ware, to accessories, books and trinkets, you are bound to find a bargain.
- Penydarren Steam Loco: Sunday 14th August, 12pm-3.30pm – FREE (Weather dependent)
Come and see a working replica of the world’s first steam locomotive as NWM fire her up and drive her down the track.
- Rope Machine [Rope Making]: Monday 15th – Sunday 21st August, 12.30pm-3.30pm – FREE
Try your hand on a replica 19th century rope-making machine that twists long threads into a perfect twine.
- Pirate Weekend: Saturday 20th – Sunday 21st August, 11am-4pm – FREE
Go pirate crazy with Cutthroat Crafts, Fearsome Foes, Swashbuckling Storytelling, Knotty Fun, and take a selfie with Jack Sparrow!
- Make a Mini Matchbox Suitcase: Friday 26th – Monday 29th August, 12.30pm-3.30pm – FREE
Pop in to make a mini match box suitcase to store your tiny treasures.
https://museum.wales/swansea/whatson/
2. LC Swansea
Wales’ biggest indoor waterpark based here in Swansea City Centre – open 7 days a week 9am to 8pm during the school holidays (up to 4th September).
Visit the website for opening times and prices
3. Plantasia
- Animal Antics – Rainforest: Tuesday 2nd August – Thursday 4th August, 10.30am, 12pm, 2pm & 3.15pm – Children £4.50, Adults £5.50. Pre-Booking is essential.
- Animal Zone – Interactive: Tuesday 16th August – Thursday 18th August, 10.30am, 12pm, 2pm & 3.15pm – Tickets: Children £4.50, Adults £5.50. Pre-Booking is essential.
Come along and enjoy a unique experience at Plantasia’s exciting, educational and interactive shows. Get face to face with some jungle critters and learn what skills you need to survive in the forest.
More information can be found here.
4. Grand Theatre
- Behind The Scenes Tour: Saturday 6th August & Saturday 13th August, 10am – Tickets: Adult £5.50, Child £3.00
Take a Swansea Grand Theatre Tour and get an insight into the theatre’s history, shows and some of the stars who have performed on the legendary Grand stage. All tours start at 10.00am and will last approx 60 – 90mins.
- The Sound of Music: Tuesday 23rd – Saturday 27th, 7.30pm. Wed, Thurs & Sat Matinee’s 2.30pm – Tickets: £19.00 – £39.50.
One of the greatest musicals of all time returns to the stage in a magnificent new production to enchant the young and the young at heart. This wonderfully lavish new staging tells the true story of the world-famous singing family, from their romantic beginnings and search for happiness, to their thrilling escape to freedom at the start of WWII.
- Aliens Love Underpants: Wednesday 31st August, 12.30pm & 3pm – Tickets: £13.00
This zany and hilarious tale based on the best-selling children’s book is wonderfully brought to life on stage for the very first time. With stunning effects, madcap action, original music (and lots of aliens of course!) this fantastically fresh and funny production will delight the whole family. You’ll laugh your PANTS off!
For a full list of What’s On and Ticket Information, visit their website: http://www.swansea.gov.uk/grandtheatrewhatson
5. Laserzone
Get ready for a laser adventure at Laserzone Swansea!
Kidszone is every Sunday 10.30am – midday. Ages 8 – 16. £7.50 for 3 games. Book in advance as spaces are limited.
Opening Times for School Holidays: Monday – Friday, 11am – 10pm.
No pre-bookings available between 11am-4pm Mon-Fri – Just pop in to play!
6. Vue Cinema – Mini Mornings
£1.99 per tickets (£2.79 for 3D) for adults and children, every day in school holidays!
Kung Fu Panda 3: Tue 2nd, Thu 4th, Sat 6th, Mon 8th, Wed 10th, Fri 12th, Sun 14th, Tue 16th & Thu 18th August.
The Angry Birds Movie: Mon 1st, Wed 3rd, Fri 5th, Sun 7th, Tue 9th, Thu 11th, Sat 13th, Mon 15th, Wed 17th August.
Please visit the website for up to date films and times (Remember to select ‘Swansea’ as your cinema): http://www.myvue.com/minimornings
7. ODEON
Magical worlds come to life before your eyes every Saturday, every Sunday and every day when school’s out for summer. And tickets cost just £2.50 each for little people and grown-ups alike. Here are a selection of films and times.
Ratchet And Clank: Friday 29th July – Thursday 4th August, 10am.
The Angry Birds Movie: Friday 29th July – Thursday 4th August, 10.30am.
The Jungle Book: Friday 29th July – Thursday 4th August, 10.15am.
Please visit the website for up to date films and times (Remember to select ‘Swansea’ as your cinema): http://www.odeon.co.uk/kids/
8. Tenpin Swansea
It’s back! SCHOOL’S OUT Offer: Burger Meal & 2 Games of Bowling – £8.49 per child and £10.99 per adult.
Available Monday to Friday during school holidays until 5pm.
https://www.tenpin.co.uk/summer-offers/
9. Swansea Festival of Stitch 2016
Join us in this extravaganza of stitch offering exhibitions, external street art, workshops, free taster sessions and much more. From Friday 5th to Friday 19th August, all that is best in textile art will be hosted by the City of Swansea.
http://www.swanseafestivalofstitch.co.uk/
10. The Kindercafe (above KC’s Coffee Shop)
A great place to take little ones to play with lots of toys, games, activities, and enjoy a bite to eat and drink too!
http://www.thekindercafe.co.uk/
11. Creative Bubble Summer Stage
Creative Bubbles’ Summer Stage gives performers/poets/dancers/singers opportunities to perform outdoors in Swansea City Centre this Summer (Saturday lunchtimes July – September).
This runs every Saturday for a couple of hours and showcases talented students, graduates and local talent to busy shoppers.
Keep up to date with Creative Bubble on their Facebook page.
12. Castle Square Big Screen
- Official Team GB Fanzone, Saturday 6th – Sunday 21st August, from 11am: FREE.
Castle Square will be a fantastic destination to soak up all the excitement of the action whilst supporting Team GB athletes. The FanZone, which is free to enter, will run from 11am daily and will offer the opportunity for fans to take part in sporting activity run by local sports development teams and the National Governing Bodies of the Olympic sports. The project is a partnership between Team GB and the Swansea City Council
- Film – Minions: Wednesday 24th August, 12pm & 2pm: FREE.
13. Celebrity Summer at Quadrant Shopping Centre
See your favourite character in the Quadrant this summer, between 11am-4pm on selected Tuesdays in August, including:
- Sid from Ice Age on Tuesday 2nd August.
- Paddington on Tuesday 9th August.
- The Gruffalo on Tuesday 16th August.
- Fireman Sam on Tuesday 23rd August.
14. Places to Shop & Eat
Swansea City Centre has so many great shops and places to eat. Why not do some discovering and trying a few places you’ve never been to before? And don’t forget there are dozens of discounts you can benefit from when using your Swansea Loyalty Card! For a list of offers and information about where you can pick up a card, take a look on our website:
http://www.bigheartofswansea.co.uk/loyalty-card-and-offers.php