10 things to do with the family this weekend

Celebrate a child's right to play between 10am and 2pm tomorrow in Hoglands Park.

Southampton Play Day is an annual free event, during which Southampton children’s organisations and independent volunteers work together to provide a variety of fun play activities for the city’s children and their families. Southampton Children’s Play Association play workers and volunteers support the other organisations to deliver their activities to the children.

Make sure you dress for mess as activities include an animal farm, painting and badge making, sand play, fire hazard truck and lots more.

Families with children of all ages are welcome. There will be free drinking water and fruit and hot dogs and soft drinks will be on sale.

2 In Blackfield...

Happy’s Circus returns to Gang Warily for a fourth season this weekend.

This professional all human (no animals) circus, provides family entertainment, presented in a contemporary style inside the 400 seat all-weather Big Top.

The theme of this year’s show is The Greatest Showman, a fun packed comedy show with amazing international circus artists, featuring illusion, aerial straps, double adagio, aerial silks, magic, juggling, slinky fun and speciality acts including bubble wire, high-bicycle and explosive fire escapology

Tickets available in advance from reception at Gang Warily Recreation Centre or on the day from the Box Office one hour before show times.

3 In Romsey...

There are some new visitors making the Sir Harold Hillier Arboretum and Gardens their home this summer.

Go along and take part in the interactive Flower Fairies trail for just £5 (excluding admission to the gardens). If you look very hard, you might even find the magical fairy grotto.

Inspired by Cicely Mary Barker's classic illustrations, the trail is a must visit for fairy lovers of all ages.

Every trail pass purchased comes with your very own pair of fairy wings!

The gardens are open from 10am to 6pm, last entry is at 5pm.

4 In Burley...

The second Can Am Car Fest takes place on Sunday from 9am until 4pm at Burley Park.

The beautiful setting is next to the picturesque village of Burley, with its rich and ancient history, outlined in the following link.

The Show will be made up of many different vehicle types, including classic, vintage and hobby cars, as well as American, custom and hot rods and is open to all age of vehicle presented for display.

There's a good mix of trade stalls, including a club raffle, a lovely homemade cake stall, authentic American hotdogs and burgers, plus much more.

Admission is £3 on the gate.

5 In Bursledon...

Join Manor Farm for a summer of fairy and pirate activities this weekend.

Take part in the trail to walk the plank, hunt for buried treasure, hold a fairy tea party in the fairy caravan, test your skills in the cannonball challenge, visit the dressing up area and hunt for fairy houses.

So get your best fairy and pirate outfits on and head on down to the farm!

Normal farm admission charges apply and the trail costs £2.

6 In Whiteley...

Visitors to Whiteley over the next six weeks should prepare for a larger than life welcome as four dinosaurs take families back in time to the prehistoric world, giving them the chance to learn fun facts and take part in a whole host of dinosaur-themed activities.

The dinosaurs will be on display across Whiteley, including a T-Rex and Triceratops which will roam the shopping centre on various dates throughout the school holidays.

Every weekend sees a Dino School take place, where local children can enjoy dinosaur-themed games and crafts hosted by Whiteley’s own palaeontologists, Betty Brachiosaurus and Fiona Fossilbreath.

The free exhibition is suitable for all children and is open daily from 10am until 3pm:

7 In Portsmouth...

This summer Emirates Spinnaker Tower is celebrating all things under the sea with a series of events, craft workshops and learning experiences. There will also be a special Sea Life Trail which encourages youngsters to explore the tower in search of letters and solve the mystery location of Oscar the Octopus! Standard admission prices apply.

8 In Alresford...

The Watercress Line has scheduled in Family Fun Days this weekend, from 11am til 4pm.

The Family Fun Days are filled with hands-on and creative activities – including have-a-go sessions at building a 3D train for you to take away!

There are mini workshop tours running throughout and a standard travel ticket allows you and your family unlimited travel, enabling you to explore all four historic stations.

9 In Basingstoke...

There's so much to get stuck into at The Vyne this summer.

Jigsaw pieces hidden around the grounds will help kids create an oriental tapestry on the Lost Tapestries trail.

Find out what falls from trees on the scavenger hunt, or head out into Morgaston Woods on a geocaching treasure hunt.

Want to know what tree ‘skin’ looks like? Pick up The Vyne’s bark-rubbing kit to find out.

Daily activities take place from 10am til 5pm, there is a suggested donation of £1 for some activities.

10 In Hythe...

On Sunday Newfound Friends will be at Hythe Marina simulating some real-life rescues in aid of Naomi House and Jacksplace.

Newfound Friends was formed 26 years ago, with the objective of using the skills of the Newfoundland Dog to raise money for children's' charities.

The group has gone from strength to strength and is now a registered charity having raised thousands of pounds for charities across the years.

The dogs are renowned for their power in the water and have been known to pull in boats and as many as 10 people at a time.

The dogs are all really friendly and love to meet and greet their rescue once back on dry land.

Newfoundland dogs have been the St. Bernards of the sea for hundreds of years and now they are helping to make lifesaving fun for the next generation of lifeguards.

If you want to take part in a rescue, places are limited to 30 and there is a registration fee of £30 and a minimum sponsorship of £50. Email: hello@naomihouse.org.uk to book your place!