Five Things To Do With Your Family This Weekend

EVENT Power Shower

The annual Perseids meteor shower is one of the greatest free lightshows on the planet. From August 11-15, the skies are filled with shooting stars; take a blanket outside, lie on your backs, and watch them whoosh across the night. Why not go on a little camping trip to somewhere really remote and stay up all night watching them? The National Trust has some great recommendations for the darkest-skied placesand some top stargazing tips. Don’t forget to make a wish. More here

EVENT Up and Away

The sight of dozens of colourful craft soaring serenely across lush countryside at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta will stay with you for a long time. Europe’s largest hot air ballooning event is held over four days at the picturesque Ashton Court Estate, and hot air balloons shaped like minions, fish and galleons drift overhead, while on the ground, there are attractions, stalls and much more to keep everyone entertained. Don’t miss the enchanting night glow, when balloons are illuminated from within and float around to music. There are also spectacular firework displays to enjoy.
Free, but book parking in advance.

EVENT African-Can
Enjoy the music, food, art and crafts of Africa at The Africa Centre’s annual summer festival across Southwark in London this Saturday. Musicians including Afrikan Boy and Kanda Bongo Man take to the main stages, while there’s a host of family-friendly activities, including headwrapping, mosaic-making, faceprinting, beads and jewellery making and African pattern screenprinting. Bag your free tickets in advance here

MAKE Corn Dolly

Thanks to high summer temperatures, harvesting is already underway across the country! In traditional pagan culture, it was believed that the spirit of the corn lived in the crop, and the harvest made it homeless. Corn dollies were created every year during harvest time so the spirit had somewhere to live over the winter, and were ploughed into the first furrow of the season. They make your home look cosy into autumn, and are fun to make. Find instructions here.

RECIPE Nicey Icey
Frozen treats don’t have to be laden with sugar and fat. There are some excellent ideas for fruits to freeze and enjoy here, try this awesomely simple chocolate and frozen banana ‘ice cream’ that’s actually pretty healthy and linger over these scrumptious strawberry banana popsicles. Delish!