The six-week programme, for children of all ages and all abilities, was delivered in venues across the city.
More than 500 hours of sessions included playschemes, stay and play, bracelet, bath bombs and pizza making, multi-sports, podcasting, NERF battles, and pottery workshops.
Hundreds of people attended National Play Day in Rodney Parade on 7 August which was a huge success, despite the showers.
Free Film Club events held during the summer offered families the chance to enjoy blockbuster movies, including Inside Out 2 and Despicable Me 4, at The Riverfront.
By partnering with the council’s community engagement team and The Gap, tickets were offered to families from different backgrounds, including low-income households.
Staff also organised a residential trip for young people with additional needs, ensuring that every young person had the opportunity to experience new adventures and make lasting memories.
They had regular Duke of Edinburgh expedition sessions that allowed participants to develop new skills, build confidence, and work as a team while exploring the great outdoors. Following their great success, the team is looking forward to seeing many of the young adventurers now progress through the DoE award scheme.
And they were also busy participating in various community events, including the Bettws Big Picnic, family fun days, and the vibrant Reggae & Riddim Festival etc.
These events are fantastic opportunities to engage with the community, showcase the services, and support local initiatives.
Councillor Deb Davies, cabinet member for education and early years, said: “The sheer scale of what was offered to children, young people and families during the school holidays is astonishing.
“National Play Day was an outstanding success and Rodney Parade proved a great venue. Some families were also able to travel to the event free thanks to partnership with Newport Bus.
“It is important to acknowledge that other council teams and partners also made an important contribution to the success of the summer events, and I would like to thank them for their support as well as those who participated in the events.
“But the biggest thanks must go to the youth and play workers who worked tirelessly to provide a packed summer programme, at no cost to families, that promoted play, creativity and most of all fun.
“And their work doesn’t stop with the return to school, as they will soon be delivering the play clubs and youth clubs that run throughout the year as well as planning activities for the autumn half term school holidays.”
Details of play clubs, youth clubs and holiday fun programmes are made available at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/newport-youth-play-and-community-engagement-teams-34236546899
