There’s no need for youngsters to get bored over the school holidays with lots of fun on offer at Dudley borough leisure centres.

Children can take part in activities at Duncan Edwards, Crystal and Halesowen leisure centres, including soft play areas and free swimming, as well as £1 football sessions at The Dell Stadium.

All Dudley borough residents aged 16 and under can enjoy free swimming at Crystal Leisure Centre in Stourbridge, Duncan Edwards Leisure Centre in Dudley and Halesowen Leisure Centre from Wednesday 26 July to Sunday 3 September inclusive.

Full details and terms and conditions are online at freeswimindudley.co.uk.

Children aged two to 10 years can enjoy art and craft activities at Crystal Leisure Centre and can make a gift to take home, for £5.50 per child. Sessions for children two to four years take place on Wednesday 2 August, 1.30 to 2.30pm, an accompanying adult must be present. Sessions for children five to 10 years will take place on Wednesday 16 and 30 August between 1.30 and 3pm.

A new Story Time session is running at Crystal Leisure Centre for children under seven years. The interactive, sensory story time takes place on Monday 7 August, 2 to 3pm, and will be followed by a play in the soft play area. The cost is £5 per child.

At the Dell Stadium, children aged eight to 15 can enjoy a kickabout on the 3G football pitch for £1 each. People aged 16 years and above can play for £2. Timed sessions will take place Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 12.30pm and 1 to 4pm. Appropriate football boots must be worn and youngsters are asked to bring their own football.

The stadium will be closed Bank Holiday Monday 28 August. Councillor Paul Bradley, Deputy Leader, Communities and Economic Delivery, said: 

“DB Leisure is offering a fantastic range of activities to help keep children busy and active and with free swimming and £1 football sessions on offer, parents can do so much on a budget.

“We want children to enjoy swimming in a safe environment, away from open water, and that’s why we continue to offer free swimming for under 16s during school holidays.

“I would like to remind people that availability on all activities, including free swimming, is on a first come first served basis and we always recommend checking the website for updates before setting out.”

Young people must be supervised by a responsible adult aged 18 or over to enjoy the free swimming offer, which is part of the borough’s Child Friendly Dudley initiative. Children under the age of eight must be accompanied in the water by an adult or responsible person over 18 years of age. One adult must accompany no more than two children under the age of eight into the swimming pool.

The new Planet Play areas at Duncan Edwards and Halesowen leisure centres will offer soft play for children up to the age of 11. SEN sessions, suitable for children with disabilities, special educational needs and ASD, and their siblings are also available.

New summer play passes are available for Planet Play at Duncan Edwards during the school holiday break. Summer pass one runs from 26 July to 3 September, costing £30 for one child or £40 for two. Summer pass two runs from 14 August to 3 September, costing £15 for one child or £20 for two. Youngsters can visit once a day during the term of the pass. For full terms and conditions visit www.dbleisure.co.uk/school-holiday-activities

Crystal Leisure Centre’s soft play facility will also be open for children aged seven and under during the holidays. Parents are advised to call ahead to check opening times and availability.

For further information about the facilities people can call 01384 812800 or visit dbleisure.co.uk.