The summer holidays are nearly here with parents facing the prospect of six weeks of finding ways to entertain their children; this is when the panic sets in.
Almost two million parents admit to a fear of the school holidays.
New research by family activities app Hoop reveals that this is the time when it dawns on parents across Britain that they may not have planned enough family activities to fill the long six-week summer break.
However, there is no need to panic as there is plenty on offer to keep families entertained across East Staffordshire, South Derbyshire and beyond.
Avast ye scurvy scoundrels – pirates are lurking around Tatenhill as the theme for this year’s Maize Maze is revealed. Visitors are invited to follow the clues around three miles of pathways, bridges and viewing towers to see if they can find the booty right up until September 3.
There is also a mini maze for little legs and children can take part in regular pirate shows, a buccaneer bootcamp and even fire some shots in the Cannonball Chaos area. Admission costs £11.95 for adults and children aged two and older and more information is available here.
At Conkers, in Moira, visitors are invited to join the Forest Dwellers for a varied programme over the summer, with circus acts, live shows, traditional Punch and Judy, animal encounters, storytelling, ranger activities and 120 acres of land, including high and low ropes, to explore until September 3.
Admission costs £9.95 for adults, £8.95 for children or £35.95 for a family. More information is available here.
Kings Bromley Show will be heading to Kings Bromley Showground from 9.30am to 5pm on Saturday, July 22. It is one of the longest-running shows in Staffordshire with around 2,500 people expected to attend.
Attractions include large and small ring entertainment, horse events, a family dog show, children’s amusements, trade and non-commercial stands, a craft fair, a food and drink fair and all the usual competitive classes. Tickets cost £6 for adults, £3 for kids and £15 for a family of four and more information is available here.
A day filled with music will take place at the National Brewery Centre, in Burton, for Burtonfest from noon on Saturday, July 22.
It will feature a host of unsigned artists as well as headliners, X Factor 2016 winner Matt Terry and the ITV1 show's Union J.
There will be a large outdoor stage, as well as a second stage in the covered marquee plus bars, food and more in the Acoustic Box. Tickets cost £20 and more information is available here.
The National Brewery Centre will also be hosting August bank holiday family fun from 10am to 5pm on Sunday, August 27 and Monday, August 28.
Attractions will include The Sooty Show and Sublime Science as featured on Dragons’ Den. There will also be arts and crafts, shire horses, fairground rides and lots of other activities. Tickets are £6 per person, with a family or group of four costing £20.
Space: The Takeover – Baby People on Tour will be at the Brewhouse Arts Centre, in Burton, from 1pm to 4pm on July 27. The Brewhouse is working with the Baby People - a national music and hip hop development organisation.
Family fun
The Takeover is an open day to give kids aged 11 years and over a chance to try out a range of activities, meet up with mates and hang out with vocalists, beat boxers, graffiti artists, music producers and break dancers.
Admission is free and more information is available here.
The next Steaming Day at Clay Mills Victorian Pumping Station will be on Sunday and Monday, August 27 and 28, from 10am to 5pm.
Visitors can travel back in time more than 120 years to an era when steam-powered engines were being used in all aspects of life.
The Clay Mills Pumping Station was opened in 1885 to improve public health in Burton.
Admission for the steaming costs £6 for adults, £3 for children and £15 for a family. More information is available here.
