Summer holidays can be a drain on the purse, so for our August Monthly Picks we thought we’d pick out what’s FREE this month. 

On 1st August Harpenden Library are taking over the concourse outside the library with their Favourite Toys Family Fun Day.  Drop by to enjoy old toys, outdoor games and their reminiscence boxes.

On Sunday 4th August Rothamsted Conference Centre are also holding a Family Fun Day.  This is free to attend, but you do have to register your place in advance! With kids & teen movies, art & crafts, science activities, bouncy castle and more it sounds like a packed day.

Play in the Parks is back for the summer - Tuesday mornings at Rothamsted Park, Tuesday afternoons at Redbourn Leisure Centre, Wednesday mornings at Marford Road and Thursday afternoons at Marquis Lane.  No need to book, just turn up.  This is suitable for 3-12 but parents of under 8s will need to stay with them.

Wednesday 7th August is the annual Teddy Bear’s Picnic in Lydekker Park.  Pack a picnic and bring teddy along to enjoy theatre fun with Imajica Theatre, wildlife activities, Teddy hospital, punch castle and more!

Every Thursday during August St Albans Cathedral is running its Family Discovery Mornings featuring a themed trail around the Cathedral and a craft activity.  Each week focuses on a different era - Romans, Victorians, Saxons and Tudors.

On 15th August drop into St Albans Museum and help artist Jo Hammond create a giant junk sculpture.

On 17th August head to Batford Springs Nature Reserve for their Open Day where you can search for minibeasts and butterflies, meet the rangers and go on a tour.

There's also free entry to the Pop-up Farm from 17th August though we can't guarantee that you won't be able to resist picking some sunflowers and sweetcorn!  There's also a bale maze and sunflower trail.  Please check the website to confirm opening dates and times as these will be dependent on the crop.

Return to Lydekker Park on 28th August for Harpenden Conservation Day where you can help build new homes for wildlife.  This is a drop-in event, but there will be a limited supply of resources.

There are also a some free activities running daily this month:

• Burston Garden Centre have set up a free Summer Garden and Sandpit.
• The popular Butterfly Corner is back at Ayletts Nurseries. 12-16 August you can also make a Bee Magnet for free and 19-23 it’s Paper-plate Pals.
• Dunstable Downs have a Summer of Sport with free games and sports taking place.  And Sunday 4th August is also their monthly, free “50 Things Club session where children can try out some outdoor activities, and a new list of must-try activities to try before 11 3/4 is being published this month!
• As well as their weekly Family Discovery Mornings, St Albans Cathedral have an exhibition of marionette puppets, props and backdrops from the Young People’s Puppet Theatre.
• The Summer Reading Challenge is on at the Library.  Pop in to register, then children have to read 6 books over the summer to earn their rewards.

So there you have it! Make the most of these free events this August and you won’t have to break the bank to keep the children busy, entertained. And don’t forget to look at the places and activities that are always free on our Things To Do page for more ideas.