Autumn half term fun at DB Leisure
There’s no need for youngsters to be bored over the holidays with lots of fun to be had at Dudley borough leisure centres this autumn half term.
Duncan Edwards, Crystal, Halesowen leisure centres and The Dell Stadium have plenty of activities to entertain the kids, including free-swimming, £1 football sessions, soft play areas and SEN sessions.
All Dudley borough residents aged 16 and under can enjoy free-swimming at Crystal Leisure Centre in Stourbridge, Duncan Edwards Leisure Centre in Dudley and Halesowen Leisure Centre from Saturday 28 October to Sunday 5 November inclusive.
Young people must be supervised by a responsible adult aged 18 or over to enjoy the free-swimming offer, which is part of the borough’s Child Friendly Dudley initiative. Children under the age of eight must be accompanied in the water by an adult or responsible person over 18 years of age. One adult must accompany no more than two children under the age of eight into the swimming pool.
Numbers are limited and entry is on a first come first served basis. To register and for full terms and conditions go to www.freeswimindudley.co.uk.
Family fun disability swims, designed for people with disabilities, special educational needs and ASD, will be held at Halesowen Leisure Centre on Saturday 28 October and Saturday 4 November from 2.30 to 3.45pm, Duncan Edwards Leisure Centre on Wednesday 1 November from 3.10 to 5pm and Crystal Leisure Centre on 3 November from 2 to 4pm. The free-swimming offer for under 16s is applicable for these sessions.
Little ones under five years can enjoy a Splash Time session at Halesowen Leisure Centre with their parent on Friday 3 November from 9 to 10.15am and 10.30 to 11.45am. The non-instructor led session takes place in the learner pool and helps children to build water confidence. A variety of toys including watering cans and boats are available for children to enjoy.
The ever-popular Waikiki Waves Family Disco will run on Friday 3 November from 6am to 8pm. The weekly disco, which is not included in the free swim offer, gives families the chance to have fun in the leisure pool DJ music and bodyboards, which are provided at no extra cost.
Under 5s can also enjoy a new spooky themed stay and play session at Crystal Leisure Centre on Tuesday 31 October from 10am to 11am, where everyone is invited to dress up. The fun session, which runs every week, allows parents and children to interact with other families and includes a range of fun and exciting toys, such as a bouncy castle, soft balls, foam bricks, tricycles, side and ride cars and educational toys.
At the Dell Stadium, children aged eight and over can enjoy a kickabout on the 3G football pitch for just £1 each. Sessions take place from 9.30am to 12.30pm and 1pm to 4pm and run from Monday 30 October to Friday 3 November, with a special women and girls only session on Thursday 2 November from 9.30am to12.30pm. People aged 16 years and above can also play for just £2. Appropriate football boots must be worn, and youngsters are asked to bring their own balls.
Table-tennis and badminton is also available at Duncan Edwards and Crystal leisure centres throughout the week for children aged eight years and above, with equipment available to hire.
The Planet Play areas at Duncan Edwards Leisure Centre and Halesowen Leisure Centre will offer soft play for children up to the age of 11. Crystal Leisure Centre’s soft play facility will be open for children aged seven and under. Soft play SEN sessions, for children with disabilities, special educational needs and ASD, will take place on selected days at the facilities. There will also be a spooky themed arts and craft session for under fives at Duncan Edwards Planet Play on 26 October from 10am to 11am. More information is online at www.dbleisure.co.uk/soft-play
Councillor Paul Bradley, deputy leader of Dudley Council, said:
“We are a Child Friendly council that is committed to building a borough where all our children can enjoy playing and taking part in sport and physical activity.
“Our free-swimming offer has helped thousands of youngsters to gain water confidence while having fun in a safe space and we are pleased to offer it again this half term.
“The sessions are all incredibly popular and I would like to remind people that availability on all activities, including free swimming, is on a first come first served basis. We always recommend checking the website for updates before setting out.”
For further information about the facilities visit www.dbleisure.co.uk/school-holiday-activities or call 01384 812800. The Tuesday late family swim at Crystal will no longer take place during the holiday.