Top Picks
A tidy shortlist for families who would quite like to leave the house without spending half the morning opening tabs. We keep it local, useful, and blessedly free of events that tell you absolutely nothing.
10 picks around Wootton (New Forest), from 10 local venues. The map pin is doing actual work here.
These picks come from the same behind-the-scenes legwork that powers Near Here. We check a frankly silly number of local listings, then keep the family-friendly ones that are nearby, properly described, and worth recommending.
1Are you a budding young artist? Then book your place on our monthly kids art sessions led by professional artist, illustrator and educator Lucia Para. There is a different theme and making / drawing activity each session. Colour, crafting, modelling, painting, cutting, sticking, sculpting you name it! All materials are provided and you will be able to take home what you make.
2Come along to our relaxed weekly sessions at The Arc Winchester, created for you and your baby to enjoy some calm, connected time together. You’ll learn gentle baby massage and simple wellbeing activities, then you’re very welcome to stay for a coffee and a chat in the café afterwards.
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3at Lordshill Ecumenical Church
Last Saturday of the month 10am - 12pm Lord’s Hill Church
4at HMS Victory
Join Captain Compass, Eddison, and Ratty for an imaginative storytelling adventure filled with invention, exploration, and hands-on discovery…
5Free! (worth double-checking)at The Cube
Start the Summer Holiday right and let your tiny dancers take the spotlight! Join us for one of two high-energy Kids' Rave sessions packed with colour, rhythm, bubbles, glow sticks, and family fun. Open for any age, these flexible sessions host a plethora of songs, and you may even be able to put a request in!With the tunes provided by 3THAN, one of our brilliant DJs from Rising Music Festival 2025, kids can get down to everything from Baby Shark and Bluey's Dance Mode, to bangers from K-Pop Demon Hunters and The Minecraft Movie. There may even be a little 6 7 moment...!Tire your kids out in the best way possible - and get a little boogie in yourself. Even better - parents go free and don't need to book!
6A midsummer folk music festival in the Dorset countryside featuring a variety of bands alongside family activities like face painting and arts and crafts.
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8Free! (worth double-checking)
9Join us for songs, music, activities and bible stories. Fresh coffee and cakes before and after the service - squash for the children, but they still get a cake.
10We worship together with modern worship songs and share our week then we move into groups to study the Bible before coming back together to pray for the world and share Communion. We remember that we are all part of God's family by worshipping and eating together.
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