Parents News Forum
Free Family Fun this Summer
Free family fun with favourite characters at Westgate Oxford this summer
Westgate Oxford is hosting a series of meet and greets with some of your favourite characters this summer including Gabby’s Dollhouse, Hey Duggee and even the centre’s very first appearances of Peppa Pig’s little sister, baby pig Evie.
The events take place every Thursday from 24th July until 28th August, and guests must book free tickets in advance to secure admittance to the events. To receive ticket information and links, guests can sign up to PLUS+ for free at
There will be five sessions each day, all fully accessible, with one daily slot designed to be suitable for Special Educational Needs.
The full schedule of events includes:
- Peppa Pig, Mummy Pig, and baby pig Evie – 7th August
- PAW Patrol’s Chase & Skye – 14th August
- Gabby’s Dollhouse – 21st August
- Hey Duggee – 28th August
Prezzo Italian kids eat free
Unlock the magic of mealtimes: ‘spec’tacular 3D adventures, secret password pasta & as many peas as you can eat!
Serious summer savings for parents too - kids eat free runs from 29th July - 5th September
Plus - Prezzo Italian are giving away £10k worth of gift vouchers, 1000 vouchers to be won
Get ready for giggles, games, and plenty of greens: Prezzo Italian is launching its very first Prezzo Kids Club, and it’s bursting with fun for foodies of all ages!
Tiny (0–2), Little (2–8), and Big (8–12) eaters all have their own special menus, and they’re not just any menus...
They’re 3D! Every child gets a pair of awesome 3D glasses to bring their menu to life, plus access to an exciting new digital game - just scan the QR code.
Snap a pic of the kids rocking their 3D specs and post it to Instagram - @prezzoitalian - and you could win a £10 Prezzo gift voucher. We’re giving away £10,000 worth of vouchers in total - let’s get snapping! Nothing goes better with a pizza than a smile. Say cheese……
Inside Out festival
Leicester Square will come alive in August with live theatre and cinema experiences for families, as part of Inside Out festival. Taking place on 9-10 August, Inside Out festival presented by Discover Leicester Square will feature free, all-ages entertainment including a silent disco with film soundtracks, West End theatre storytelling by the theatre casts, and arts and crafts.
Discover Leicester Square presents a weekend of magical moments, including:
- West End cast appearances from The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Horrible Histories, and more
- Wand combat workshops with Harry Potter wand choreographer Paul Harris
- Silent disco set in the gardens, featuring top movie and musical soundtracks
- Crafts, face painting, and a variety of interactive games
- ‘Scenes in the Square’ statue trail celebrating icons like Paddington, Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, and Bugs Bunny
Fee tickets live via Eventbrite now!
Portland and Weymouth Free Art Friday
Local artist Charlotte Pascoe will bring creativity, community, and a sense of adventure to Portland & Weymouth this summer with Free Art Friday - a free weekly art treasure hunt designed to celebrate the area’s culture as a seaside holiday destination.
Running throughout July and August 2025, the project will see unique pieces of artwork hidden in 13 iconic beauty spots and play areas, including Portland Bill, Greenhill Gardens, Tout Quarry, and Radipole Nature Reserve. Each week, clues will be released on social media channels inviting families and individuals to search for the hidden treasures.
Every week, 51 art prizes will be hidden in accessible, well-maintained public spaces:
- 25 full-colour glossy postcards
- 25 waterproof vinyl stickers or black-and-white ‘colour your own’ postcards
- and an original, signed, mounted artwork.
The project invites people not only to collect the pieces but also to share their own drawings, photos, and memories on social media, further connecting the community through creativity.
All printed materials will use recycled paper and recyclable wallets, and leftover or unfound items will be distributed to local schools and preschools - ensuring the project is environmentally thoughtful as well as culturally enriching.