FAMILIES in need of ideas of how to entertain the children throughout the summer holidays are being given a helping hand by Sandwell Council.

A list of the Top 30 Things to do in Sandwell has been created including events in Rowley Regis, Oldbury, Blackheath and Cradley Heath.

Hundreds of different activities are happening all over Sandwell to keep kids and families occupied during the summer holidays.

Sandwell Council is hosting a full summer of fun at parks, museums, libraries, leisure centres, at Sandwell Valley and lots more.

And many of the activities, including the daily activity sessions at Sandwell’s parks, are free.

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for leisure Councillor Richard Marshall said: “We’ve never had so many things to do in Sandwell during the holidays before.

“Swimming is free for children aged 16 and under at our leisure centres, we have several big weekend events coming up at Sandwell Valley this month and our parks are hosting kids activities every day."

He added: “Plus we have some great things to do at our libraries and museums all over the summer.

"There’s something to keep the kids occupied no matter what the weather is like – so I’d urge people to check out the council website for some ideas.”

Activities include bubble painting, a creative way for children to get messy and have fun, for the under fives, on Mondays from 11am until 12.30pm in Barnford Park, Oldbury, where there is also street dance on Wednesdays and Fridays, 12pm-1.30pm.

For those who wanted to investigate a crime scene, there is on Tuesdays from 4pm until 6pm in Britannia Park, Rowley Regis, for eight to 16-year-olds.

Ultimate frisbee is also at Britannia Park on Thursday afternoons from 4pm to 6pm for eight-16-year-olds and for the adults Workout Bingo is free from 10 am until 11am on Monday mornings.

The Top 30 things to do in Sandwell is at www.sandwell.gov.uk/top30events.