Families across the district can enjoy a free afternoon of face painting, magic and outdoor games when Three Rivers District Council hosts its annual Playday event at King George V Playing Fields in Mill End, Rickmansworth. The council’s leisure department has organised the drop-in session for Wednesday 5 August 2026, running from 12noon to 3pm.
The afternoon features Mr Marvel’s Magic Show, inflatable games and adventure play sessions with the Play Rangers, alongside arts and crafts activities and team games. Partner organisations including One YMCA, Families First, Otley Way Family Centre and Home Start will also attend, offering activities for children while providing parents with information and advice. Cllr Chris Lloyd, Lead Member for Leisure, said: “It’s fantastic that we are hosting the playday event again this year – it is a great opportunity for families to enjoy some free, fun activities together, whilst accessing information and support from the fantastic organisations that work in Three Rivers.”
The event forms part of the national Playday campaign, which celebrates children’s right to play and highlights the benefits to their health, happiness and creativity. The council’s Play Rangers service, which runs adventure play for children aged five and over both during and outside of term time, will lead the outdoor activities. During the school holidays, the council also operates an Ofsted-registered Playscheme offering affordable childcare for children from reception age to year six, with the Three Rivers ACE scheme helping families cover the costs.
King George V Playing Fields provides a community outdoor space for the free activities, and the council has recently opened the Ebury Play Area in time for the summer holidays, reflecting wider investment in play facilities across the district. The council also runs youth clubs, including the Everyone Active Youth Club for 8-11 year olds based in Mill End.
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