Free or cheap fun activities for children during this month's half term in Milton Keynes

The Outdoor Learning Team will be hosting the nature inspired events between Monday October 26 and Friday October 30.

There will be a pond dipping session with the Outdoor Learning Team at either Linford Lakes Nature Reserve or Howe Park Wood. children can learn how to successfully pond dip and discover the amazing creatures that live under water.

All equipment will be provided by The Parks Trust and the sessions cost £5 for a family group of up to 5 people.

There will also be self-led bug hunting activities, again at either Howe Park Wood or Linford Lake Nature Reserve. In these 40-minute sessions, families will be given a set of bug hunting equipment including a sweep net, ID

sheet and magnifying glass before heading out into the meadow, grassland or wood to start their bug hunting adventure.

These sessions cost £2 for the loan of one set of equipment. Parents must always accompany their children and families can book up to three sets of equipment per group.

On Wednesday October 28 The Parks Trust will be running their Discover Nature Day, which has been designed for children aged between eight and 11 years old.

This session is perfect for those who are interested in the local environment and want to find out more about the

natural world, who also want to be involved in conservation projects and wildlife surveys. Taking place at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve from 10am to 3pm and costs £15 per person.

Sarah Griffiths, Outdoor Learning and Interpretation Manager said: "We are really pleased to

be able to offer some smaller scale family friendly activities during October Half Term. Over the course of this year we have seen how important green space is to people and through our activities we hope to inspire people to help us protect these vital spaces and the wildlife that call our parks home."

Families can also visit Great Linford Manor Park during half term and take part in the heritage themed activities going on there. On October 26, the park will abound with folktales, histories and stories, including the tale of the wonderous Richard Napier; astrological physician, charm caster and potion maker.

On Tuesday 27 October, The Parks Trust will also be celebrating the Big Draw Festival 2020, a worldwide celebration of drawing. People can go to this free family friendly workshop at Great Linford Manor Park and work together with other local people to create one big piece of artwork.

Tickets must be pre-booked here .