Free football tournaments: 12 siblu parcs are introducing free siblu soccer tournaments for all ages. These will be free events that will run three times every week through July and August. There will be two tournaments organized by age group, and parents will be able to show off their dazzling soccer skills by taking part in games for 14s and over.

New horse riding lessons: For those who prefer stirrups to kick ups, La Pignade in Charente Maritime (recently named the sunniest region on the Atlantic coast) is launching horse-riding lessons through the forests of Charente Maritime. La Pignade is introducing a pony school for children in July and August. Three hours tuition will cost just €25 per person.

Pirate Pong: There is a new baddy at siblu’s free children’s clubs, with Pirate Pong part of the action for the first time in 2009. Siblu’s kids’ clubs provide activities as diverse as fashion shows to sumo wrestling and are organized around different age groups.