Dive into Summer
Monday 3rd – Friday 28th August
This summer, the Bridges is diving into action for our oceans.
From Monday 3rd to Friday 28th August, families are invited to visit the Ocean Explorers Camp – a free, interactive activation designed to teach kids about ocean conservation and plastic pollution through themed games, arts & crafts and weekly workshops.
Step into our under-the-sea inspired blue ocean set, complete with ocean nets, recycled crafty stations, a blue ocean floor, a doodle mural and much more. It’s everything your little explorers need to dive into action!
Ocean Workshops: Tuesday and Thursday l 11am – 4pm
Intrepid explorers can join the Ocean Explorers Eco Club every Tuesday and Thursday, packed full of ocean-saving, wildlife-conserving goodness for the whole family.
Ocean workshops are free, however a voluntary £2 donation is welcomed in the coin drop at the entrance to the Ocean Explorers camp. No booking required.
Tue 4 Aug: Seashell Shore
Turn your beach finds into eco-treasures! We’re celebrating our oceans by upcycling natural seashells into kaleidoscopic keepsakes. Instead of buying plastic trinkets, kids can use their creativity to decorate these coastal wonders and learn how to protect our beautiful briny sea!
Thu 6 Aug: Terrific Tentacles
Transform discarded bottles into charming sea creatures while learning all about environmental consciousness. Follow our simple steps to bring your super squids to life with the materials provided!
Tue 11 Aug: Crabby Crafts
Little ocean explorers will have a blast in making the coolest and most colourful creatures in all the deep blue sea. Recycle your paper cups as we shell-berate creative reuse and making a positive impact on our planet.
Thu 13 Aug: Jiggling Jellyfish
Using our favourite recyclable materials, our crafty-caper offering just wouldn’t be complete without a seaside staple – the jellyfish! Using lots of colourful and iridescent materials, little seaside recruits will be creating dangling jellyfish makes; googly eyes are a must!
Tue 18 Aug: Snappable Sharks
Not a single plastic straw in sight, our Snapping Sharks craft will be chomping their way into the Bridges for a masterclass in craft and puppetry. Every child will get the chance to create their own snapping puppet to take away!
Thu 20 Aug: Turtley Awesome Treats!
When we think oceans, the first creature that comes to mind is our green-finned friends – the turtles!
Our cookie master-class is an ode to them, with Free-From options available. Any left-over food will also be donated/given away, to cut down on unnecessary waste and make a wider difference to the local community!
Tue 25 Aug: Sustainable Water Bottles
In this sustainable make-and-take, little shoppers will design their own sports bottle ready to pop in their lunch bag as we wave goodbye to single-use-plastics and hello to the new school year!
Thu 27 Aug: Terrific Tote Bags
Just in time for back-to-school prep and all their shopping needs, our terrific totes will last a lifetime. Get ready to personalize and perfect, ready to use and show off when they go back to school!
Character Visits: Monday 10th, 17th & 24th August l 11am – 3pm
Island Princess Moana will be journeying to the Bridges on selected Mondays, making appearances at regular intervals:
11am – 11.45am
12.15pm – 1.00pm
1.30pm – 2.00pm
2.30pm – 3.00pm
Don’t forget to bring your camera as there may be opportunities to take a photo and create magical memories.
There is no charge to attend, but please note that the mall will be busy and you may need to queue.
Luna’s Butterfly Bath Bomb Making: Wednesday 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th August 11am – 3pm
Join the team from Lush Sunderland for a series of interactive workshops packed with hands-on fun and feel-good pampering. Families can enjoy engaging activities and discover some of Lush’s favourite products in a relaxed, welcoming environment.
Recommended for ages 5+.
Tickets are £4 and are available for purchase here.
Bottle Lid Mural: Friday 14th August
We’re also making our mark on sustainability with a spectacular, fully recyclable mural made entirely from plastic bottle lids! Join our Community Artist on Friday 14th August for a hands-on workshop where children can help create the artwork to be displayed in the Bridges shopping centre.
It takes thousands of bottle tops to bring the mural to life, so start saving your milk bottle and soft drinks bottle lids and drop them into the collection boxes around the centre.
Make Your Own Sea Shaped Pretzels: Friday 21st August l 10am – 4pm
Dive into pretzel making fun with the team from Auntie Anne’s.
Make your very own freshly baked fishy shaped pretzel. Twist it, top it your way, then sit back and enjoy the Ocean Explorers camp while it bakes.
Priced £4.30 – no booking required, however spaces are limited.
Adults must supervise children at all times.
Swashbuckling Peter Pan Crafts: Friday 28th August l 11am – 3pm
Set sail for a day of high-seas adventure as the Sunderland Empire takes over the Ocean Explorers Camp at the Bridges!
Young adventurers can pop on their pirate hats and dive into fun, sea-themed crafts inspired by this year’s spectacular pantomime, The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook.
Perfect for creative kids looking to enjoy some swashbuckling excitement during the holidays.
This session is free – a voluntary £2 donation is welcomed in the coin drop at the entrance to the camp.
