Hey Presto! Magic, circus skills, football, swimming, and outdoor cooking, are amongst the fun activities on offer from Babergh and partners during the Christmas school holidays.

Babergh works with a range of partners to deliver the varied programme of activities to help families through the festive period as part of the Government's holiday activities and food programme.

Abbeycroft Leisure and Explore Outdoor are once again offering outdoor cooking masterclasses to families in need during the school break in several locations across the districts – cementing Babergh's commitment to reducing health inequalities, as set out in their recently adopted Wellbeing Strategy.

Families are given the opportunity to learn how to cook a hearty and nutritious meal in the outdoors. In addition, they receive a free box of ingredients and recipe cards so they can prepare healthy, tasty food at home – supporting the council's ongoing ambition to combat holiday hunger.

There are also sessions for budding magicians and circus performers, free swims and lunch at a number of council leisure centres, football fun factories, arts and crafts sessions, sports days and even recording studio slots on offer for youngsters, with events at Hadleigh, Brantham, Great Cornard and Sudbury.

Although free places are allocated on a needs basis – with local schools identifying families in receipt of free school meals or eligible for other reasons – children not meeting this criteria are also welcome to participate in many of the events for a small cost.

Babergh's cabinet member for Communities, Cllr Derek Davis, said: "As a parent myself, I know how hard it can be to entertain children during the school holidays, so I am delighted that our council continues to work closely with leisure providers to offer a range of activities to beat boredom and encourage everyone to lead fit and healthy lives.

"More importantly, we can make sure no child is hungry or lonely due to their family finances."

Full details of all the activities available, and how to book, are on the Babergh website here.