Entertain the kids on Super Thursdays

IKEA Belfast is welcoming the summer holidays with open arms by introducing Super Thursdays - entertainment and fun days for families.

Undertaking a focus group with mums and dads who have an average of two children, IKEA found that 100 per cent of those participants feel pressure to find a fun activity to keep their children entertained over the summer months, when school is out and nursery may be closed. Another worry was the financial aspect of days out, with 60 per cent of participants claiming they could spend up to £50 on an average day out with their children.

With these figures in mind, every Thursday throughout the summer at IKEA Belfast will be a Super Thursday. From July 5, children will be entertained by magicians, face painters, balloon artists, puppets and a snailery, with free access to play area Smäland for children over three years-old.

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Kids will also eat for free with a parent purchasing a main meal at the IKEA restaurant, receiving a complementary kids’ meal which could be anything from their famous meatballs, to fish and chips or a healthy lunchbox.

Concluding the focus group, IKEA found that 70 per cent of participants found that while the park is a great activity in good weather, they found it hard to find alternative free activities for those all too common rainy days in Belfast. Under their roof, IKEA will provide different entertainment every week, keeping the little ones happy and never bored.

Lynn Campbell at IKEA said, “We all know the pressure families are under to keep their children entertained over the summer, and in these difficult financial times there is also the cost of a day out to consider.

During our focus group, we found these worries were all too common and have come up with a solution in Super Thursdays which are completely free, running from July 5 to August 30 (including Thursday July 12) with a variety of workshops from the educational and creative Doodlebugs, who work with recycled materials and will teach children the importance of recycling. There will also be a great selection of films and toys in Smäland Adventure Club, and on certain weeks we will have magicians, face painters and balloon modelling. There will be no end to the fun for all the family!”

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Nurseries are also encouraged to come along and enjoy the free entertainment days, Lynn continues; “Group outings for nurseries and also summer schemes can be booked through Smäland Adventure Club on 028 9039 7396.”

During Super Thursdays, there will also be promotions on different children’s products and toys each week, allowing kids and families to continue the IKEA summer fun at home.

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