Summer arrives at Whiteley with a packed programme of free family activities
Ahead of the summer holidays, Whiteley has revealed an exciting line-up of free, family-friendly activities, with everything from character meet and greet sessions to an ice cream van and free sandpit.
On Saturday 25th July, Whiteley is kicking off the summer holidays with its Dino Day - a prehistoric adventure for all the family. Visitors can expect to see Bruno the T-Rex and his friends roaming around the centre, offering selfie opportunities for all dinosaur enthusiasts.
Whiteley is also hosting a whole selection of character visits throughout the summer holidays, giving families the chance to meet a host of princesses, superheroes, and cowboys.
And there’s plenty more on the cards too, with additional activities including a free sandpit and a book swap area for families to enjoy, as well as School Starter Stay & Play sessions at Little Giggle Street to help little ones prepare for the start of the school season.
Mia Gordon, centre director at Whiteley, said: “Summer is a brilliant opportunity for families to spend time together, and we've put together a programme this year that really does have something for everyone - from the excitement of coming face-to-face with Bruno the T-Rex to the classic summer activities of playing in the sandpit and enjoying an ice cream.
“We're particularly proud that so much of what's on offer this summer is completely free and focuses on bringing people together. We’re passionate about supporting our local community and believe it’s important to offer activities that are fun and accessible for everyone.”
Summer fun at Whiteley includes:
Dino Day (Saturday 25th July)
Visit Whiteley on Saturday 25th July for some roarsome fun at the Dino Day, with live appearances from Bruno the T-Rex and friends, meet and greet moments, interactive walkarounds, and selfie opportunities. For more information and full showtimes, keep an eye on Whiteley’s social media.
Little Giggle Street - School Starter Stay & Play sessions
Whiteley's unique, child-sized village, Little Giggle Street, is hosting a series of new school starter meet-up sessions this summer, giving children the chance to meet their new classmates ahead of time - helping them to build confidence and start forming important friendships. Sessions run from 1:30pm to 3pm and can be booked online in advance. Upcoming sessions include:
Fair Oak Infants: Tuesday 14th July
Boorley Park: Wednesday 15th July
Botley C of E: Thursday 16th July
Character meet & greets
Whiteley's popular character series continues throughout the summer, bringing much-loved heroes and princesses to life. All appearances run from 11am to 4pm, with mini shows and games taking place on the Whiteley Stage at 11am and 2pm. Between show times, characters roam the centre for meet and greet moments and memorable photo opportunities. For a full schedule of the sessions, please visit
Summer fun in the sandpit
The centre’s sandpit is open every day throughout the school holidays, offering a decking area and a whole host of new toys to help children enjoy time outdoors. Completely free to use, it provides a relaxed space for families to take a break and play during their visit. And to refuel after a session of fun, there’s also an ice cream van parked nearby during the weekends.
Pick up a summer read
Whiteley is also the spot for book lovers this summer, with its book swap area that allows visitors to share and exchange books for free, encouraging children to keep reading over the school break. Located outside Market Square and open daily from 9am to 7pm, visitors are invited to take a book and return it once finished - or replace it with another title to keep the cycle going.For more information and to plan your visit to Whiteley this summer, visit