A fun family-friendly navigation challenge is returning to Mansfield this Christmas.

Xplorer is the perfect FREE outdoor activity for primary and pre-school children – and older children and adults can join in too.

The Christmas-themed session will take place at Titchfield Park, Mansfield, on Tuesday 23 December from 10am-12noon. Participants can arrive and take part at any time during the two hours.

The session is dependent on the weather and will not take place if it is very wet or snowing. Please check the Council’s website www.mansfield.gov.uk, facebook.com/mymansfielduk and twitter feed @MDC_News for the latest news.

More than 600 people took part in Xplorer when it came to Mansfield District for the first time over six weeks during the school summer holidays and at Halloween.

Using a simple map the aim is to find markers located around the park. At each marker children need to identify what is pictured and can learn a fun fact.

Older children can compete against friends and family to see who can complete the course in the quickest time and younger children will enjoy the excitement of finding the markers. Everyone who completes a course will get a certificate.

The navigation challenge is based on orienteering, which is an adventure sport that exercises both the mind and body. No experience of map reading is necessary and you can walk, jog or run the course at your own pace.

Parks Development Officer Jo Waldron will be on hand to offer guidance at the event, which is being run in conjunction with British Orienteering.

Cllr Philip Shields, Portfolio Holder for the Environment at Mansfield District Council, said: “Xplorer proved to be very popular over the summer and at Halloween with more than 600 people taking part. We are very pleased to bring it back to our award-winning Titchfield park for the Christmas special. It is a great way for all the family to have fun together in one of our parks – and it’s free!”