Summer is finally here, bringing with it a season full of vibrant activities and opportunities for children and families to enjoy time together outdoors. Across the country, communities are preparing for festivals, fairs, sports days, and picnics, each offering a unique way to celebrate, learn, and connect with others in the sunshine. Highlight: St Annes Kite Festival One particularly colourful event each summer is the St Annes Kite Festival, held on the beautiful beach at St Annes, Lancashire. This much-loved festival draws visitors not only from across the UK but also from overseas, all eager to fly creative kites and experience the energy by the sea. The St Annes Kite Festival has delighted attendees for over a decade. It is famous for its spectacular sky displays—giant kites shaped like dragons, whales, teddy bears, and more fill the air, creating a breathtaking view. Both locals and visitors enjoy this chance to come together, embrace the outdoors, and celebrate creativity. What Happens at the Festival? Running from Friday to Sunday, the festival offers different beach zones for visitors to watch impressive kite displays. Some kites are choreographed to music, and as night falls, glowing kites light up the sky. Families can explore the funfair, listen to live music, browse food stalls, and even try flying their own kites. There are kite-making workshops where both children and adults can design and create their own unique kites, making the experience hands-on and memorable. Whether you’re launching your own kite or simply watching from the sand, the festival provides a wonderful way to spend a summer’s day. Even if rain or strong winds pause the kite-flying, the festival’s other activities continue for all to enjoy. Why Are Summer Events Important? Events like St Annes Kite Festival play an important role in bringing communities together. They offer everyone the chance to try new activities, make friends, and feel proud of their local area. Taking part in community events also teaches teamwork, creativity, and the value of shared experiences. There are many kinds of summer events, from school sports days and reading challenges to local clean-up days and summer fetes. Each gives children and adults alike the opportunity to create memories and build connections with others. Children Share Their Summer Stories From winning races at sports day to painting faces at summer fairs and helping keep parks tidy, children enjoy sharing their proud moments. As Oliver, age 10, says, "The kite festival is the best! Last time, we saw kites shaped like dragons and dinosaurs!" For others, summer is a chance to help out, make friends, and celebrate togetherness, as Mia, age 7, shares: "Every summer, my family helps pick up rubbish in the park. It makes me happy to keep our park nice and clean." Ideas for Getting Involved This Summer There are many exciting ways for children and families to take part in summer fun, both at school and in their local community. Here are a few ideas to spark inspiration: Kite Designers Designing and making your own kite can be a rewarding summer project. By gluing wooden dowels into a cross shape and covering the frame with tissue or paper, you can decorate and add a tail to your kite. You might even organise a mini kite festival with friends or family! Organise Some Summer Fun! Why not plan your own summer event? You could host a picnic in the park, a beach party, a garden treasure hunt, or even a sports day. Decide on the venue, who to invite, and what activities or treats to include. Creativity counts—draw a poster or write an invitation to tell people about your plans! Community Connections Map Make a map of places to visit or activities to enjoy over the summer. Share your adventures when you return to school to help inspire others. Consider creating a bingo card of fun summer tasks, like taking nature photos, spotting community events, or recording summer memories through drawings and interviews. Connecting with Your Community Summer events help people feel connected, offering support for those who may feel lonely during the holidays. Think about how you can help others get involved—sometimes a simple invitation or helping hand makes all the difference. Whether you join a family event, school activity, or a local clean-up, contributing to your community helps everyone feel included and valued. Classroom and Assembly Discussion Consider these discussion points in your next assembly or classroom session: Why are summer events like the kite festival important to communities? Have you ever taken part in community events like sports days, summer fairs, or kite festivals? What events are happening near you this summer? Which is your favourite? How can we support people who might feel left out or lonely during the holidays? Have you made plans to help or get involved in a local community event? Useful Resources and Further Exploration Want to find out more or take part in the conversation? Explore the following resources for ideas: Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training
