The school summer holidays are just around the corner and there’s so much going on in north Kent and south east London that you won’t have a chance to even think about being bored.

Here’s a guide to some of the bits and pieces coming up over the school holidays, but why not check out some of the best Free and Outdoors Places to Visit or our 5 Boredom-Busting Days Out.

Let us know what we've missed by e-mailing jim.palmer@london.newsquest.co.uk or tweeting @JimNewsShopper and we could add it in.

 


Vibe’s picks

News Shopper: death-stalker-scorpion.jpg

Tarantulas, scorpions, taekwon-do and drumming are among the activities to keep youngsters entertained at White Oak Leisure Centre, Swanley. The six week programme aims to keep youngsters entertained and educated all summer with sports, arts and creative activities alongside the chance to glimpse creepy crawlies at Mini Beasts. Go to sencio.org.uk or call 01322 662188.

News Shopper: Crystal Palace fans worried for future of club

Crystal Palace FC Foundation  runs four day sessions skills sessions and goalkeeping sessions for five to 12-year-olds at Bishops Justus School, Goals, Coney Hall FC and Downham Leisure Centre throughout the holidays, as well as one-off Girls Only and World Cup days. Go to cpfcfoundation.org

News Shopper: Therry Racon hopes to remain at Charlton Athletic next season

Charlton Athletic Community Trust also has football courses for kids across the area at tonnes of venues, including Hall Place in Bexley, Sporting Club Thamesmead, Greenwich Park, Langley Park in Beckenham, Orpington FC and Crook Log. The multi-day camps include games and drills and cost around £12 a day. Go to cact.org.uk

News Shopper: Dartford v Millwall July 19, 2011
Pictures by allsportsphotography.co.uk

Similarly Millwall Community Trust runs Soccer Schools at The Lions Centre in Bolina Road, with one hour sessions costing £5. Go to millwallcommunity.co.uk

Gravesham Community Leisure runs Bizz Kids holiday clubs at its Cygnet Leisure Centre in Northfleet and Swanscombe Leisure Centre, with a variety of activities for 5 to 12-year-olds five days a week.
Go to gcll.co.uk

News Shopper: Danson Lake in Bexleyheath today

Splash around at Danson Watersports with likes of kayaking, sailing, powerboats, row boats and pedalos for 8 to 16-year-olds to have fun with on courses of various lengths. Go to bexley.gov.uk/watersports

Adventure playgrounds at Home Park in Sydenham Road, New King Street in Deptford, are open daily and have a range of activities including football, Playstation, climbing walls and table tennis. Contact Lloyd Nugent at Home Park on 07580 777857, or Emon Francis in Deptford on 020 8691 1310.

News Shopper: Fish for crabs at Deptford Creek this half term

Muck around by the river at the Creekside Centre in Deptford, where summer activities include den building, bread and fire making, crab catching and bug hunting. Go to Creeksidecentre.org.uk

As ever, Forest Hill’s Horniman Museum has a full quota of interesting activities, including stories, minibeast safaris, pond dipping and hands on music. Go to horniman.ac.uk

Youth centres across the area have a full schedule of fun. The New Generation in Wells Park Road, Sydenham, has sports arts and games for 8 to 13-year-olds for three weeks from July 28 (contact Gerry Devine on 020 8699 1681 or gerry.devine@lewisham.gov.uk).

Riverside Youth Club in Deptford has rollerskating, sports, arts, murals and cooking – many of them for free (contact Aminata Swaray on 07580 777874 or aminata.swaray@lewisham.gov.uk)

Danson Youth Centre has regular activities from July 28 to August 15 for just £3 a session for members, with the fun including football and other sports, dance and ballet, trampolining and gymnastics. Go to dansonyouth.org.uk

Greenwich and Lewisham Young People’s Theatre is holding free three day workshops for 13 to 19-year-olds at Bonus Pastor Catholic College from July 28 to August 3. Courses include singing and songwriting, theatre and performance, and spoken word. Go to glypt.co.uk

Montage Theatre Arts is running three weeks of dance, drama and singing courses for three to 14-year-olds at Prendergast Girls School in Hilly Fields with tuition from professionals and West End veterans. Course from £50 a week. Go to montagetheatre.com

Bellingham Gateway Youth and Community Centre has a programme of arts, crafts, sports and off-site trips for girls only this summer. Go to beleveuk.org