With the school summer holidays in full swing, The Brunel Swindon has unveiled ten exciting ways for parents to keep children entertained under one roof.
From free creative craft sessions to arcade gaming, Swindon’s popular shopping centres offers a complete mix of budget-friendly events, dining, and play for all ages.
Laid on specially for the summer holidays, The Brunel Swindon is running creative ‘Wonderful Wednesdays’, where every Wednesday up to and including August 26, there are free activities for children between 10am and 4pm, downstairs near Boots. Each session has a different theme, hosted by organisations such as The National Literacy Trust, The Wyvern Theatre and The Festival of Tomorrow.
Also free for families is The Brunel’s Summer Rainbow Trail – collect a map from Card Factory, follow the clues around the centre, and once finished, pop your completed map back for a small treat.
For active entertainment, High Score Arcades is running One Final Play sessions, with a Monday special offer where families can upgrade a 60-minute pass to 90 minutes and enjoy classic and modern games.
When it’s time to take a break, families can refuel at The Crossing food hub, which includes a new kids’ menu at Chopstix, kids’ meals at Broccoli Pizza & Pasta, and, of course, in Canal Walk there’s always a McDonald’s Happy Meal.
For book lovers, Swindon Story Shed – open Wednesday to Sunday during the summer holidays – has free preloved books available and runs creative workshops to keep the little ones entertained.
There is a huge range of affordable games, books, and activities from The Works, and there are hundreds of pocket-money-priced treats at The Entertainer. For fans of comic books and graphic novels, look no further than The Incredible Comic Shop, upstairs at The Brunel, which for 15 years has been supplying a huge range of comics to enthusiasts in Swindon and the wider area.
Swindon & Wiltshire Pride Hub, also upstairs at The Brunel, runs community workshops, some free and some asking for a £2 donation. On August 15, the Pride Festival takes place, starting with the traditional march from the town centre to the GWR Park, for a family-friendly afternoon of food, stalls, and live entertainment.
The Brunel’s monthly Makers’ Market will be staged on August 22, showcasing fantastic products made by local crafters.
And finally, when it’s time to start preparing for back-to-school, why not take the kids for a haircut at The Cutting Bar? Prices start from £11.50 per child, and no appointment is needed – just walk in!
“We know how challenging it can be for parents to keep children entertained over the long summer break, especially while managing family budgets,” said a spokesperson for The Brunel Swindon. “Our summer line-up combines completely free creative events like Wonderful Wednesdays with comfortable dining and entertainment spaces so families can spend quality time together right in the heart of Swindon.”
As Swindon’s primary covered shopping venue – complete with an adjoining multi-storey car park and direct links to public transport – The Brunel provides a convenient, stress-free family destination regardless of the weather.
