School Holidays Halifax & Calderdale

Summer Holidays

What’s on for the school summer holidays in Halifax and Calderdale. You’ll find loads of free and cheap activities and events locally, as well as great ideas for further afield.

The school holidays are here! This summer, children and young people who are on benefits-related free school meals can access free holiday club places through our Healthy Holidays Calderdale programme.

This is provided as part of the Government’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. The free places are funded by the Department for Education (DfE).

The scheme provides enjoyable activities and nutritious meals for primary and secondary school-aged children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals.

There’s still time to book your place!



Social  

Book online

Artventurers Halifax

Art, craft, creative and messy play sessions, suitable for 6months – 8years. Themes include Bluey, The Little Mermaid and Super Mario & Friends. Booking online is essential, sessions take place at The Mill Play Cafe and The Edge.

Tel: 07804 033258

Calderdale Bikeability Courses

Help your children become more confident on their bike, with courses suitable from ages 3+, booking in advance is essential.

9th – 23rd August 2023

Tel: 01422 392800

Canon Hall Farm

Visit the farm’s new play areas with a brilliant, 20% off offer, if booked online in advance. As well as the new play areas, you can access everything else at the farm, including soft play, animals, reptile house, tractor rides and more!

22nd July – 3rd September 2023

Tel: 01226 790427

Chicoccino Play Gym

Every day through the summer, enjoy play and a kid’s meal for just £5!

22nd July – 1st September 2023

Tel: 07592 482573

East Riddlesden Hall

Take part in the National Trust’s Summer of Play for nature-themed activities, games, crafts and more!

22nd July – 3rd September 2023

Tel: 01535 607075

Eureka! The National Children’s Museum

Six weeks of summer fun, with something new every single day over the school holidays. 44 days of performers, activities and fun! The full schedule is available on the website, but includes dinosaur experiences, orchestras, storytelling and loads more.

22nd July – 3rd September 2023

Tel: 01422 330069

Gordon Rigg Garden Centres

Visit the garden centre for one of their activities this holiday, including; mobile zoo; drop-in crafts; mobile farm; and teddy bear’s picnic.

24th July – 1st September 2023

Tel: 01706 813374

Leeds City Museum

Visit Leeds City Museum for a teddy bear trail, as well as crafts, storytime and coding workshops! You can also explore the city further and follow the public art trail – Leeds Bear Hunt. 

26th July – 3rd September 2023

Tel: 0113 378 5001

Lotherton Hall

Visit the Lotherton Summer Holiday for a super sand pit, tractor tour, giant garden games, family activities and more!

29th July – 3rd September 2023

Tel: 0113 378 2959

Magna Science Adventure Centre

Visit Magna for the Spectacular Summer! for family activities, a dinosaur trail, under 5s STEM area and lots more. As well as the summer activities, there is a splash park, craft sessions, demonstrations and more – for all the information and timings see their website.

22nd July – 31st August 2023

Tel: 01709 720002

National Coal Mining Museum

Explore the great outdoors and discover rescue stories from the mines, as well as learning about the emergency services! Enjoy visits from the Red Cross, RNLI, Fire Service, air ambulance, Police dogs and mountain rescue, as well as daily science shows, a maker’s shed and more.

22nd July – 3rd September 2023

Tel: 01924 848806

National Science & Media Museum

Visit the science roadshow this summer, with sessions suited to children aged 4-11yrs, from Tinkering with Toys, to Game, Set, Match, plus a teddy bears’ picnic and lots more. The full programme is available from the website, along with details of the locations.

7th July – 31st August 2023

Tel: 0330 058 0058

Oakwell Hall

Enjoy August Adventures at Oakwell every day during August, packs are £2 each from the visitor centre, to get out and about, discovering nature on your doorstep.

1st – 31st August 2023

Tel: 01924 324761

Square Chapel

Visit SQ for a selection of family-friendly shows throughout the holidays, including Nick Cope’s Family Show and; The Super Mario Bros. Ticket booking is essential.

Tel: 01422 353073

Temple Newsam

During the school holidays, celebrate All Creatures Great & Small, with trails, activities and more, all included in general admission.

22nd July – 3rd September 2023

Tel: 0113 336 7460

The Forgotten Forest

Visit The Forgotten Forest for a fun-filled session in the outdoors, to celebrate Lammas, learn to forage, potion making, dinosaurs, pizza making and lots more! The sessions need to be booked, online, in advance.

31st July – 31st August 2023

Tel: 07708398548

Thornton Hall Farm

Visit Thornton Hall Farm for one of their brilliant summer activities, including; Toddler Summer Party; Super Slime; Big Machines and; loads more!

20th July – 10th September 2023

Tel: 01282 841148

Visit Brighouse

Dinosaur fortnight returns to Brighouse! There will be a dinosaur trail, visiting dinosaurs and loads more!

12th – 26th August 2023

Tel: 01484 937006

Whistlestop Valley

Join the Big Adventure this summer to have unlimited train rides, access to all the usual facilities, plus Cirque du Shelley, including tin can alley, dressing up and lots more.

22nd July – 3rd September 2023

Tel: 01484 865727

Worth Valley Railway

This unique railway will be running everyday over the summer holidays, with the whole family (including the dog!) welcome onboard. Fares and timetables are available online.

22nd July – 3rd September 2023

Tel: 01535 645214

×