World Puddle Jumping Championships Are Back at Wicksteed Park

If your kids are the type to make a beeline for every puddle in sight, it turns out they might just be championship material. The World Puddle Jumping Championships have returned at Wicksteed Park in Kettering, and entries are open right now — which means there’s genuinely no excuse not to give it a go. This is one of those events that’s just pure, muddy, joyful fun, and I wanted to make sure you knew about it before the entry window closes.

The World Puddle Jumping Championships have returned for another year of splashingly-good fun — with competitors urged to submit their entries from today (Tuesday, April 21).

The championships have been held at Wicksteed Park, Kettering, since 2013, with judges giving scores based on the height of the jump, enthusiasm, distance of splash and stickability (the amount of mud which clings to each competitor).

The event has attracted many thousands of entries over the years, with previous winners including a nine-year-old girl from Kettering and a three-year-old boy from Monmouthshire in Wales, with entries coming from as far away as Australia.

Last year, three toddlers from the same family were crowned joint World Champions after their entry left them covered head to toe in mud.

Competitors taking part in this year’s event, launched today (Tuesday, April 21) are being asked to submit videos of themselves jumping in naturally-formed puddles at Wicksteed Park, puddles that they’ve made or found elsewhere, and even paddling pools, with the winner being announced at the end of next week.

They can then submit their video entries by posting them in the comments on the Puddle Jumping posts on the Wicksteed Park Facebook page.

Puddle jumpers who visit Wicksteed Park this weekend can also enjoy the rides and explore the attractions, including the iconic water chute, which has just celebrated its 100th birthday.

All the family favourites will be open, such as Jolly Jockeys, Wicky’s Farmyard and the Railway, along with the Carousel, Sway Rider and Pig n’ Putt Crazy Golf.

Wicksteed Park Director Kelly Richardson said: “The World Puddle Jumping Championships are a great excuse for children and families to get out into the fresh air and have some fun, particularly when the weather is nice and they can have fun making their own puddles.”

Wicksteed Park’s 25 rides and attractions are now open every weekend, bank holiday and school holiday until the end of September.

For May half-term the park will be open 10.30am to 5pm from Saturday, May 23 to Sunday, May 31 for action-packed adventures that the whole family can enjoy.

After listening to feedback from visitors, the price of on-day wristbands purchased at the park has been reduced from £25 to £22, to match the online purchase price.

Children under 0.9m get to experience the joy of Wicksteed Park for FREE with an accompanying paying adult.

For further information go to wicksteedpark.org

Whether your little one goes all-in with a full-body splat or perfects a stylish two-footed leap, this is such a brilliant way to get outside and have some proper fun. And if you’re already planning your May half-term, Wicksteed Park is well worth adding to the list — you can find more local ideas for the school holidays in my weekly what’s on newsletter. And if the forecast isn’t looking great, don’t panic — my rainy day ideas pack has plenty to keep the kids entertained whatever the weather throws at you.

The events listed in this guide are run by third-party organisers, and all details were correct at the time of publication, based on information from their official websites. However, changes or cancellations can happen at short notice. To avoid any disappointment, we recommend double-checking the event information on the official websites before making plans.