You know, I sometimes listen to people chat about how much they’re looking forward to the bank holiday and everything they’re planning on doing – having a much-needed lie in, catching up with friends, sunbathing (if the weather holds), eating and drinking, yada yada yada...

So why the cynicism? Well, I have a 14 month old child, and unfortunately he doesn’t understand the meaning of ‘mummy and daddy don’t have to work tomorrow so it would be nice if we could have a few drinks, go to bed and not wake up until we feel like it dear’.

The same is often true for the older kids – they may not wake you at the crack of dawn with a loud raspberry down the intercom, but more than likely you will be plagued by ‘I’m bored’, ‘I’m hungry’ and ‘I want’ at numerous points over the Jubilee bank holiday weekend.

And it doesn’t end there – because half term is also almost upon us! Well, suffer not, as thebestof Haverhill has done a little digging and we’ve come up with a few options to keep your kids entertained next week.

Jubilee themed ideas

On Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th June from midday until 5pm, East Town Park in Haverhill is hosting a Jubilee Quiz Trail. Costing just £3 per family, there’s no need to book; simply pick up a quiz sheet from the Visitors Centre, test your knowledge on all things royal and follow the quiz trail around the park.

Alternatively, why not celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a picnic? The Jubilee Big Picnic Haverhill takes place from 11am until 3pm on June 7th at Chalkestone Community Centre, and features a whole host of free, family-friendly activities, such as an inflatable slide, bungee trampoline, chairoplane slide and magician.

Child-friendly activities in Haverhill

Couldn’t you just kiss East Town Park? It’s always there when you need to find something to do with the kids (or is that just me?!)

This half term, there are Bugs and Beasties galore; from 10am until midday on 8th June, your child can go pond dipping and mini beast hunting with East Town Park’s rangers, who will be more than happy to help identify their findings.

Booking is essential and the event costs £5 per child. Children between the ages of 5 and 12 are welcome but please note that children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

Other ideas

A little forward planning can do wonders – speak to Angie Ranshaw from Teddy Bears Bookshop this week and she’ll be able to recommend a variety of educational yet fun books that will keep your little ones amused for hours on end!

A Haverhill resident and childcare specialist, Angie Ranshaw is a stockist of Usborne children’s books and can order from a huge range of titles.

Alternatively, if your child loves cooking, why not have a chat with Sarah Gibbs from Finishing Touch Interiors – The Boutique? She stocks a wide selection of children’s cooking sets, such as muffin, cookie and cupcake mixes, as well as aprons (integral to any kid’s cooking session!) and recipe books.