A PROGRAMME of fun activities has been keeping children and families busy in Dollar as events slowly make a return following months of hiatus.

Parents and kids have been taking advantage of two weeks of summer play activities with The Playpen Café CIC at The Hive with a few days of fun still to come before the weekend.

Funding for the 10 days of activities came from Clackmannanshire Council as part of the Scottish Government's summer of play initiative and has seen the café work together with Dollar Community Development Trust, sports clubs, schools and more.

The events have been an opportunity for young people to get together and socialise again with parents also taking the chance to meet up within the guidelines.

Dozens of families with children up to the age of eight have been taking advantage of the initiative with events and activities supported by organisations such as Dollar Glen Football Club, Rugby Tots, Dollar Tennis Club, Moo Music, Kidslingo, Tiny Tots Sports and more.

Various early years toys, a creative station, a baby area, outdoor play garden and balance bikes courtesy of the council have also been available across the days of activities.

The café has also been providing food for the children each day and will be joined by the council's Sports Development Team for activities during the rest of this week, looking to build on the excitement around the Olympics.

Alexandra Ostroumoff-Croucher, CEO and founding director of the Play Pen, told the Advertiser: “It's just lovely seeing all the families come back together again and to be able to provide that space, that hub where they can come together, meet their friends, do some of the activities that they've been missing out on in this whole time.”

She also issued a note of thanks to the many volunteers who have been supporting the initiative, including younger helpers from secondary schools who had the chance to work toward their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Despite some hideous weather forecast, which saw plenty of rain and storms in recent days, the activities largely stayed dry last week.

There are still events and activities to come this week, no booking is required and there is £3 optional donation to the café.

For more details, find The Playpen Cafe CIC on Facebook.