Frome Town Council (FTC) is marking National Playday 2026 with a free celebration of play for all ages at The Key Centre on Wednesday 5 August from 2pm to 5pm. FTC acquired The Key Centre in 2024 as part of devolution from Somerset Council and the celebration includes activities by some of the many organisations and community groups who now use the centre regularly, as well as some special guests. It’s also an opportunity to see the new and improved play area at Tower View, designed in partnership with the community.
Young adventurers can help build bike ramps with Super Roots at Tower View park or get involved with making sun pictures using cyanotype printing techniques with Caravan Arts, who are also inviting visitors to help create a new Key Centre board game. Over in the car park, skaters of all ages can join free skateboard lessons with Soulful Skate Co (limited places, bookable on the day).
Inside the Key Centre, Purple Elephant will be running a ‘stay and play’ session for younger children and their families. Meanwhile, in the Cabin, adjacent to the community garden, there’s willow weaving with local artist Mary Cross. Adults and older teens can spend the afternoon creating a beautiful willow dragonfly for their garden; younger visitors can drop in and make a speedy snail to take home.
The Key Centre cafe will host a ‘board game bonanza’, featuring a wide selection of games for all ages. Visitors are welcome to bring along their own favourites too, whether that’s a family board game, a game of Magic: The Gathering or even a Dungeons & Dragons one-shot with friends.
Throughout the afternoon, there will be live music under the apple trees in the Community Garden. Cheryl Sprinkler of Mojo Moves will be on crossing patrol between the centre and the play area all afternoon and bringing her brand of fun and silliness to the proceedings. Live music, free picnics for kids and cake for adults continue after 5pm at Tower View.
Mayor of Frome Mark Dorrington said “National Playday celebrates play, creativity and community. The Key Centre embodies and encourages all these things and it’s great to see it thriving and busy once again, after several years of being underused. Frome’s Playday event is totally free, there’s loads going on, free picnics for kids (until they run out), cake for grownups, live music and hopefully good weather. Whether you’re a Key Centre regular or it’s your first time, come down to join in the fun.”
Free tea, coffee and cold drinks will be available from the café, with squash for children and water refill points at the Cabin.
National Playday is the UK’s annual celebration of children’s right to play – find out more at https://www.playday.org.uk. Find out more about the Key Centre, including how to hire spaces.
