Youngsters seeking summer entertainment with a difference can build their own rocket, or discover some of the planet's weirdest fruits, with the University of Cambridge this week.

The University will be holding two children's summer sessions on Thursday (August 16), offering a helping hand to young people itching for something new to brighten up the long summer break.

The Department of Engineering will host a drop-in rocket building session at the Coleridge Recreation Ground, Coleridge Road. The event is suitable for children of all ages, and will run from 2pm to 4pm. Youngsters can find out about the fun side of engineering by learning how to build a rocket and launch pad using only paper, tape, nuts and bolts. If the weather stays fine, there will even be a chance to watch the rockets blast off at the end of the afternoon.

Those with a taste for unusual foods can meanwhile find out about some weird and wonderful fruits at a nutrition session packed with information about the food we eat. The event, organised by the Medical Research Council's Human Nutrition Research Centre – which is affiliated to the University - will be held at Nuns Way Pavilion, off Wagstaff Close, between 12 noon and 2pm. As well as fruit, different breads from around the world will be available for tasting, and there will also be games and a quiz.

The sessions are just two of a number of activities being laid on in partnership with the City Council's Children's and Young People's Participation Service, which runs events throughout the summer holidays.

Earlier in the month, more than 30 children aged from four to 14 took part in sports sessions organised by the University's Community Sport Project. A range of activities, including sprint tests, jumps and accuracy exercises helped them find out more about their own natural sporting talents and how to develop them further – as well as giving them the chance to take part in team activities.

Penny Wilson, head of the University's Community Affairs team, said: “We're really pleased to be working with the City Council to provide these activities for young people. We hope that learning about rocket-building, diet, nutrition and exercise will inspire future engineers, scientists and sports people, as well as being a lot of fun.”

The events are all drop-in and open to all ages. For more information, click on the link to the right of this page.

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