Portsmouth City Council's popular school holiday activity is returning with a unique Portsmouth 100 twist, as children are invited to ‘Stomp for Stamps’ alongside the Pride of Portsmouth lions trail.
Stomp for Stamps is a free, family-friendly, fun-filled treasure hunt across green spaces which encourages families to explore the city by walking, wheeling or cycling.
Stomp for Stamps is designed to inspire healthier, more active lifestyles and was introduced as an extension of the Council's Pompey Monsters initiative. The challenge is open to children and their families, offering an inclusive and engaging way to enjoy the outdoors.
As part of Portsmouth’s centenary celebrations, families can also take part in a bonus adventure by exploring the colourful sculptures along the Pride of Portsmouth lions trail, created by artists and local community groups. Families who snap photos of five lions along the routes will be entered into a prize draw to win one of ten exclusive lion toys.
To take part, families can collect a free map book, coloured pencils and paper from any Portsmouth library. Each of the six routes is guided by friendly Pompey Monsters, accompanied by textured animal or insect plaques. Children can take colourful rubbings of the creatures and exchange them for a sticker at the library for each route they complete.
Children who complete at least two Stomp for Stamps routes will receive a special prize – a unique Pompey Monsters Portsmouth 100 baseball cap – which can be collected from libraries once the routes are completed.
Most routes are wheelchair and pushchair-friendly, ensuring everyone can get involved. Along the journey, children will build confidence in map-reading, get creative, and uncover hidden gems across the city while travelling in ways that contribute to cleaner air and support a healthier Portsmouth.
Cllr Peter Candlish, Portsmouth City Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said:
“Stomp for Stamps is a great way to bring families together, get children moving, and celebrate everything that makes Portsmouth special. It’s encouraging to see young people exploring their city, developing skills and building healthy travel habits that can last a lifetime. With the addition of the Pride of Portsmouth lions trail, this year’s challenge is set to be even more exciting and memorable.”
Families can get started by picking up a free map book and pencil pack from their local library from Friday 22 July. The challenge runs until Friday 4 September.
For more information, visit:
www.travel.portsmouth.gov.uk/stompforstamps