If you are looking for free fun for kids in Bristol this August, then look no further than the list below!
Whether it’s storytelling, LEGO, wildlife, nature, art, outdoor play or giants that your kids are into, there’s something for everyone.
But first, let me tell you about two free activities for kids in Bristol. There’s the Gadgeteers Summer Reading Challenge at all Bristol libraries, a free activity for kids aged 4-11 to encourage them to keep reading over the summer, with fun incentives like stickers along the way, plus a medal and certificate at the end!
There are also 25 life-size bronze lions on the Downs, exhibited by the charity Born Free, which are there to raise awareness and vital funds for lions in the wild.
Enjoy your August!
TUESDAY 2nd AUGUST
Forest – Wake this Ground: Arnolfini
When: 11am-1pm & 2-4pm
Where: Arnolfini
Cost: Free
Every Tuesday and Wednesday in August, Arnolfini’s fabulous friends at Let’s Make Art will be delivering creative Forest-inspired workshops for the whole family, inspired by an artwork called The Family Tree by David Nash.
WEDNESDAY 3rd AUGUST
Play Day 2022: Blaise Castle Estate / Hartcliffe / Eastville Park
When: 11am-3pm
Where: Blaise Castle Estate, BS10 7QS / Eastville Park, BS5 6QL / The Big Hideout, Hartcliffe BS13 0RF
Cost: Free
Three FREE play day events taking place in Bristol in one day!
Come along to one of three locations listed above, for a fun day of celebrating play.
Games, arts and crafts, nature trails,, accessible and quiet areas too.
Butterflies and Mini-Beasts: Blaise Castle Estate
When: 11am-3.30pm
Where: Blaise Castle Estate, Henbury Road, BS10 7QE
Cost: Free
Enjoy family fun this summer and get busy with bees, mini-beasts and butterflies.
Find out how to record wildlife and hunt for mini-beasts, help the museum natural history team take part in the Big Butterfly Count and visit Blaise Community Garden to explore wildlife-friendly flowers, ponds and a bee sanctuary.
There’ll also be nature craft and musical instrument making and buzzing-bee stories.
SATURDAY 6th AUGUST
Family Open Day: Westbury Wildlife Park
When: 10am-4pm
Where: Trym Rd, BS9 3ET
Cost: Free
A day of fun in the beautiful, natural surroundings of Westbury Wildlife Park. Come for family friendly fun and support your local wildlife charity.
Kids’ activities include face painting, homemade cakes and coffee, a nature talk on bee keeping, a craft stall with local crafts, and the RSPB will be there with an interactive stall.
The Riverside kitchen will be open with a fabulous BBQ, with delicious meat, fish and vegetarian options. Served from 12 ’till 3 
No need to book, no dogs allowed (only guide dogs).
SUNDAY 7th AUGUST
Big Butterfly Count: Stoke Park Estate
When: 10am
Where: Stoke Park Estate (meet by the Duchess Gate adjacent to the roundabout that intersects Broom Hill and Park Road)
Cost: Free
Join the RSPB Bristol group to explore the beautiful surroundings of Stoke Park and take part in the Big Butterfly Count!
Keep a keen eye out for flies of both the dragon and butter variety in the Duchess Pond and surrounding grassland, hoping to spot buzzards circling up high and water birds down low, whilst keeping our ears open for calls coming from the treeline. All are welcome!
TUESDAY 9th AUGUST
Forest – Wake this Ground: Arnolfini
When: 11am-1pm & 2-4pm
Where: Arnolfini
Cost: Free
Every Tuesday and Wednesday in August, Arnolfini’s fabulous friends at Let’s Make Art will be delivering creative Forest-inspired workshops for the whole family, inspired by an artwork called The Family Tree by David Nash.
WEDNESDAY 10th AUGUST
Toys and Games: Blaise Castle Museum
When: 11am-3.30pm
Where: Blaise Castle Estate, Henbury Road, BS10 7QE
Cost: Free
Enjoy some family fun this summer and explore toys and games from the past in the museum.
See if you can spot the friendly rocking horse, teddy bears, dolls and tin soldiers before having a go at games from different times.
There will also be creative craft and playful stories.
Children’s Immersive Read Along Session: Central Library
When: 2-2.45 & 3-3.45pm
Where: Bristol Central Library, College St, BS1 5TL
Cost: Free
An immersive read along session for kids aged 9-14 years with children’s Author Japhet Asher of his book ‘The GhostKeeper’s Journal’.
This author talk will also give children the chance to try augmented reality as part of the Story Trails project.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Forest – Wake this Ground: Arnolfini
When: 11am-1pm & 2-4pm
Where: Arnolfini
Cost: Free
Every Tuesday and Wednesday in August, Arnolfini’s fabulous friends at Let’s Make Art will be delivering creative Forest-inspired workshops for the whole family, inspired by an artwork called The Family Tree by David Nash.
THURSDAY 11th AUGUST
Grayson’s Art Club Family Wellbeing Art: Bristol Museum
When: 10am-3pm
Where: Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Queen’s Rd, BS8 1RL
Cost: Free, donations welcome
Come and join a free, family-friendly art session inspired by our Grayson’s Art Club exhibition. Art is for everyone, and that includes you!
Sessions are run by CreativeShift, Bristol’s experts in art for wellbeing. Simply book a slot to visit the museum and find us in the Front Hall.
This is a drop-in event so you may have to wait for a seat at busier times; available between 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta: Ashton Court
When: Thurs 11th – Sun 14th August
Where: Ashton Court, BS41 9JN
Cost: Free
Starting today, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is back at Ashton Court between the 11th -14th August.
With morning assents from 6AM, afternoon activities and the iconic nightglows at 9PM on Thursday and enjoy four days of pure family, fiesta fun.
For more information, head to bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk.
TUESDAY 16th AUGUST
Forest – Wake this Ground: Arnolfini
When: 11am-1pm & 2-4pm
Where: Arnolfini
Cost: Free
Every Tuesday and Wednesday in August, Arnolfini’s fabulous friends at Let’s Make Art will be delivering creative Forest-inspired workshops for the whole family, inspired by an artwork called The Family Tree by David Nash.
WEDNESDAY 17th AUGUST
The Giant’s Footprints: Blaise Castle Estate
When: 11am-3.30pm
Where: Blaise Castle Estate, Henbury Road, BS10 7QE
Cost: Free
BOOK HERE
This summer kids can go on a giant adventure and explore the estate to discover the giant’s footprint, chair and soapdish.
Then head to the museum to find out more about how these local landmarks were made with our friendly geologist.
There will also be giant-inspired craft with Jem Dick, our crafter-in-residence and tales of Goram with Michael Loader, our resident storyteller.
Forest – Wake this Ground: Arnolfini
When: 11am-1pm & 2-4pm
Where: Arnolfini
Cost: Free
Every Tuesday and Wednesday in August, Arnolfini’s fabulous friends at Let’s Make Art will be delivering creative Forest-inspired workshops for the whole family, inspired by an artwork called The Family Tree by David Nash.
MONDAY 22nd AUGUST
Dogs Trust Children’s Activity: Whitchurch Library
When: 1.30-3pm
Where: Whitchurch Library, 7 Oatlands Ave, BS14 08X
Cost: Free
BOOK HERE
A face-to-face workshop packed with engaging dog-related games and activities, designed to teach children how to behave safely around dogs and build a loving bond with their furry friends, so everyone feels happy and comfortable.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
TUESDAY 23rd AUGUST
Forest – Wake this Ground: Arnolfini
When: 11am-1pm & 2-4pm
Where: Arnolfini
Cost: Free
Every Tuesday and Wednesday in August, Arnolfini’s fabulous friends at Let’s Make Art will be delivering creative Forest-inspired workshops for the whole family, inspired by an artwork called The Family Tree by David Nash.
WEDNESDAY 24th AUGUST
Scribble Pots: Junction 3 Library, Easton
When: 1.30-4pm
Where: Junction 3 Library, Baptist Mills Court, Easton, BS5 0FJ
Cost: Free
Free children’s event, minimum age 5.
Can machines draw pictures? Have a go at making your own creative little bot using felt pens and simple circuit.
Booking needed – see poster for details.
Toys & LEGO: Blaise Castle Museum
When: 11am-3.30pm
Where: Blaise Castle Museum, Henbury Road, BS10 7QE
Cost: Free
Enjoy some family fun this summer to explore toys from the past and play with Lego in the museum.
See if you can spot our friendly rocking horse, teddy bears, dolls and tin soldiers before creating your very own Lego creation.
There’ll also be fun-packed tales of toys at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm.
Forest – Wake this Ground: Arnolfini
When: 11am-1pm & 2-4pm
Where: Arnolfini
Cost: Free
Every Tuesday and Wednesday in August, Arnolfini’s fabulous friends at Let’s Make Art will be delivering creative Forest-inspired workshops for the whole family, inspired by an artwork called The Family Tree by David Nash.
THURSDAY 25th AUGUST
Dogs Trust Children’s Activity: Horfield Library
When: 11am-12.30pm
Where: Horfield Library, Filton Ave, BS7 0BD
Cost: Free
BOOK HERE
A face-to-face workshop packed with engaging dog-related games and activities, designed to teach children how to behave safely around dogs and build a loving bond with their furry friends, so everyone feels happy and comfortable.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
TUESDAY 30th AUGUST
Forest – Wake this Ground: Arnolfini
When: 11am-1pm & 2-4pm
Where: Arnolfini
Cost: Free
Every Tuesday and Wednesday in August, Arnolfini’s fabulous friends at Let’s Make Art will be delivering creative Forest-inspired workshops for the whole family, inspired by an artwork called The Family Tree by David Nash.
Dogs Trust Children’s Activity: Seamills Library
When: 11am-12.30pm
Where: Seamills Library, Sylvan Way, BS9 2NA
Cost: Free
BOOK HERE
A face-to-face workshop packed with engaging dog-related games and activities, designed to teach children how to behave safely around dogs and build a loving bond with their furry friends, so everyone feels happy and comfortable.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
WEDNESDAY 31st AUGUST
Scribble Pots: St Paul’s Library
When: 1.30-4pm
Where: St Paul’s Library, Grosvenor Road, St Paul’s, BS2 8XJ.
Cost: Free
Free children’s event, minimum age 5.
Can machines draw pictures? Have a go at making your own creative little bot using felt pens and simple circuit.
Booking needed – see poster for details.
Dogs Trust Children’s Activity: Southmead Library
When: 1-2.30pm
Where: Southmead Library, Greystoke Ave, Southmead, BS10 6AS
Cost: Free
BOOK HERE
A face-to-face workshop packed with engaging dog-related games and activities, designed to teach children how to behave safely around dogs and build a loving bond with their furry friends, so everyone feels happy and comfortable.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Bristol Mum 