With over 30 different sports available, there’s plenty in store to keep children and young people active and entertained over half term at this year’s Monmouthshire Games. The week-long event runs from Monday 25^th October to Friday 29^th October and is hosted across the county’s leisure centres in Caldicot, Chepstow and Monmouth as well as Deri View Primary School in Abergavenny while the town’s leisure centre undergoes refurbishment.

Aimed at children between the ages of five and 11, the Monmouthshire Games offer activities to suit a range of different interests and hobbies. The programme is based on learning new skills, developing confidence, meeting new people and most importantly, having fun through sport. Sessions run from 8am to 5pm on Monday to Friday. It follows a successful summer programme which saw over 900 young people attend, all expressing their desire to come back and try it again.

Each site has 50 spaces available per day and parents are encouraged to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Monmouthshire’s Cabinet Member for MonLife, Councillor Lisa Dymock said: “The Monmouthshire Games have been running for over five years and the impact the programme has on a young person’s continued health and wellbeing during the holidays and half term breaks has been evident. The variety of activities means children are not only getting the chance to have fun and meet new friends but learning life skills such as teamwork. Spaces really do fill up quickly on this excellent programme so please book your child’s place to ensure they don’t miss out on a fun-filled half term.”

Refurbishment of the pool area means that swimming is unavailable at Chepstow Leisure Centre. The much-needed improvements include redecoration, an upgrade to glazing in the viewing area, a replacement ceiling, an LED lighting upgrade and installation of new air handling units. Likewise, refurbishment at Abergavenny Leisure Centre rules out poolside activities. Work is expected to be completed in the new year.

To book a place visit: https://www.monlife.co.uk/monactive/childrens-activities/the-monmouthshire-games/ and fill out an enquiry form.

Meanwhile, MonLife’s heritage museums will offer activities for children over October half-term in conjunction with the Welsh Museums Festival. Children of all ages can have fun and share the enjoyment of experiencing traditional toys and games together. Some of these may have their roots in simple pastimes played for centuries, while others might be games parents or grandparents enjoyed in the playground or parties.

Come to Abergavenny Museum this week and celebrate @WelshMuseums Festival with us. Help us find our lost baby dragon with our free trail. Open every day 11-4 except Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/dBMQreNQt2

— MonLife Heritage (@Mon_Heritage) October 24, 2021

Sessions are 45 minutes long and start at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm at Monmouth’s Shire Hall on Monday 25^th October, the Drill Hall in Chepstow on 28^th October and Abergavenny Museum the following day. Places are free but must be pre-booked at www.visitmonmouthshire.com/traditional-games

Also, throughout the Welsh Museums Festival each museum will feature a Dragon hunt for youngsters.