We all know that it’s hard to find ways to keep kids busy and happy during the summer holidays. We want to help you banish the boredom, without it costing the earth. So here's our list of free and affordable things to do this summer holiday. Starting with what's on this week and below a selection of events and activities that will be going on throughout the summer holidays or coming soon.
Please keep checking back as we will be adding the latest information as it comes in.
5 Things to do this week: 17 to 24 July 2023
1. Summer School Meal Vouchers
Even before the summer holiday starts - if your child is entitled to Free School Meals, then check that you are getting your school meal vouchers for the summer holiday.
ALSO check if your kids qualify for our FUEL - free Summer Activities with Food programme.
Lots of restuarants and cafes have "Kids Eat Free" offers during the summer holidays, so hopefully those days out can be a little less expensive.
2. FUEL Holiday Activities with Food
Every year our partner organisation Achieving for Children (AfC) runs FUEL holiday clubs for children aged from 4 to 16 at locations across the borough.
They offer a range of activities including tag rugby, football and cricket, team-building and coding, arts and drama, skateboarding, warhammer and fashion shows!
All activities come with a healthy, satisfying meal.
Clubs are usually free for kids who qualify for Free School Meals, but you will need to book
Find out more and book on the AfC website
3. Children’s Centre activities for Families with Under 5’s
AfC also run five children’s centres with year-round activities in Kingston, Tolworth, Chessington and Old Malden, with further outreach programmes at a variety of venues including Libraries.
This Summer we have:
- Health and wellbeing sessions for mums
- Stay and play
- Sand and water play
- Mum and baby pilates
- Rhyme Time
- Stories and Songs
- Crafty Tales
Some sessions need to be booked in advance so check out the current programme for all activities at all centres in one place.
4. The Summer Reading Challenge
The theme this year is Sporting Books and the challenge is to read six books across the summer and win prizes as you go.
Also shaking up the library scene further, and to tie in with the sporting theme, this year the libraries will be holding Sporting Games with sessions for 5 to 8 years and 8 years+ from 24 July to 1 September.
Find out more in the Libraries Summer Brochure
We are also celebrating International Chess Day at Tudor Drive Library on 20 July from 4pm - all ages welcome.
5. Bowie Banner Making
22 July at Kingston Museum 2 to 4pm. For ages 7+ It’s FREE - to book go to eventbrite bit.ly/44sllY0
Top 10 Things for The Summer Holiday
1. Activities at our 7 Libraries: Kingston, Surbiton, Tolworth, New Malden, Old Malden, Hook and Chessington and Tudor Drive.
Your Libraries have packed out their programmes for the summer this year with over 60 activities for children aged 4 to 12.
Lego, Crafts, Story Time, Rewilding Talks, Mask Making, Design your own Sports Shirt, Music and Dancing, Fun and Games and Explore Learning.
You can find the full summer brochure online here.
2. Children’s Centre activities for Families with Under 5’s
AfC also runs five children’s centres with year-round activities in Kingston, Tolworth, Chessington and Old Malden, with further outreach programmes at a variety of venues including Libraries.
This Summer we have:
- Health and wellbeing sessions for mums
- Stay and play
- Sand and water play
- Mum and baby pilates
- Rhyme Time
- Stories and Songs
- Crafty Tales
Some sessions need to be booked in advance so check out the current programme for all activities at all centres in one place.
Here is the programme for this summer holiday.
3. Youth Centre Holiday Activities
Queen Mary Hall Norbiton, Kingsnympton Youth Centre and Dickerage Sport and Community Centres are just three of the locations for youth activities across the borough providing activities for ages 7 to18 years, including basketball, art, games, PS4, movies, music, sport and cooking.
Find out more on the AfC website.
4. Kingston Museum and Kingston Heritage Centre
Kingston Museum is open from Thursday to Saturday and is FREE
As well as the permanent exhibits, this year’s standout exhibition is Bowie and Beyond. But it’s not just for oldie Bowie fans, there is:
Saturday 22 July Bowie Banner Making for Kids aged 7+ (2pm to 4.30pm)
Saturday 5 August A Bowie Family Fun Day (11am to 2pm)
Also celebrating Kingston’s heritage
Saturday 26 August the first Saxon Fayre (11am to 4pm)
Kingston Heritage Centre is open from Thursday to Saturday and is FREE to visitors over the summer holiday.
To stay up to date with events at the Museum and heritage centre - go to www.kingstonheritage.org.uk/ and follow RBKHeritage on twitter and facebook.
5. Kingston’s Parks and Green Spaces are FREE
And they are great places to meet up, get active and chill out. You can find a full list of over 30 Parks and green spaces across Kingston on our Connected Kingston website.
6. A Summer of Cycling
Cycling is a great family activity and there are some quieter off road routes to discover Kingston on two wheels. Check out our 5 reasons to get cycling this summer, healthier, easier, cheaper, greener and fun.
7. Connected Kingston
The Connected Kingston website has an extensive collection of summer activities for you to browse.
8. Thumbs Up It’s Thursday at All Saints
Look out for special activities at Kingston at All Saints Church in the Market Place. Activities cost between 50p and £3.50
Dates this year are:
- 27 July - Brilliant Bugs and Blooms
- 10 August - Kings and Queens
- 17 August - Marvellous Music
- 24 August - Terrific Treasure
- 31 August - Craft Extravaganza
To find out more go to All Saints' website
Or follow the Chimps Family Trail
9. Discount Days Out
Visit Kew Gardens for £2 if you are receiving Universal Credit, Pension Creditor or Employment Support Allowance. To book go to the Kew Gardens Website.
Kids Pass is currently offering 30 days family membership for £1. Joining unlocks discounts on many events and activities, including up to:
- 57% off Theme Parks
- 50% off Zoos and Safari Parks
- 30% off Cinemas
Find out how to join at Kids Pass.
The TEN Project - FREE community tennis: Tennis-based family activities with kids aged 4 to 10 years, find out more and how to book on the Connected Kingston website.
10. Outdoor activities with Albany Outdoors
Albany Outdoors (part of AfC) has a wide range of outdoor and water-based courses and day activities for kids and young people, canoeing, kayaking, sailing and cycling.
Go to the Albany Outdoors website.