Summer Holidays: Free family activities at home and across Yorkshire

Posted: 15th July 2026

For lots of children, the six-week summer holiday is a welcome break from school. But for parents, it can be a different story – with many looking for activities to keep their kids entertained, while juggling work and more.

At SELFA, we have a fun-packed programme of activities for children and young people, of all abilities, throughout the year, including during school holidays (Easter, Summer and Christmas). Summer 2026 is all booked up, but if you’re still in need of things to do, we’ve put together some fun, free activities!

Skipton Town Hall

Skipton Town Hall has several family-friendly, free events taking place over the summer – and you don’t need to book in advance. You can try weaving on 29th July, make rings and brooches in honour of Pride on 5th August, and more! Check out the website for details: https://skiptontownhall.co.uk/.

Skipton Sheep Trail

Spot the sheep models in the town centre! The Woolly Sheep Trail celebrates the town’s proud wool heritage and features 21 handmade sheep models, each themed after a Skipton business and created by volunteers.

Settle Flowerpot Festival

From Saturday 11th July to Sunday 6th September, Settle comes alive with all sorts of weird and wonderful decorated flowerpots. Have a wander around the town and explore the many countryside walks nearby.

Walks and picnics

Nicole Morgan, a children & young people’s worker at SELFA, recommends packing up a picnic and walking to one of the many trig points around. You can find one near you via the Trigpointing UK website.

“You could also try a scavenger hunt – make a list of things for children to spot and tick them off, such as red flowers, bugs, birds, green cars, for example. You can do this in a park, on a walk, in a garden – anywhere.”

Also, Morgan adds, many towns and villages have I-spy trails that you can buy or download online.

Cliffe Castle Museum and Park, Keighley

There is a large play area and cafe, as well as extensive fields for outdoor games and paths suitable for those with prams.

Valley Gardens, Harrogate 

Valley Gardens is a 17-acre Grade II listed park famous for its unique floral displays, historic buildings and the highest concentration of mineral springs in the world. It’s free to visit and open year-round.

Fairy Door Hunting, Wycoller Country Park, Lancashire

Technically not in Yorkshire, but searching for hidden fairy doors in Wycoller Country Park is a great way to spend a day outdoors. Try looking at the bases and roots of large trees and don’t forget to knock to see if anyone is home…

Riverside Park activities, Ilkley

Organised by Bradford Council’s Community Play and Activities Development Service, free events will run in Ilkley park and be led by experienced and qualified staff. Activities include bouncy castles, with separate areas for under-fives and older children, swing ball, rounders, mini golf, football, giant snakes and ladders, Connect Four, space hoppers, and many more exciting games.

The sessions will take place from 11am to 3pm at Riverside Park on the following dates: Monday 20th July, Monday 27th July, Monday 3rd August, Monday 10th August, Monday, 17th August, and Wednesday 26th August. 

Pond dipping

You need a net, a try and a magnifying glass, but seeing what you can find in local ponds is always fun. You may be able to borrow these items from schools or community centres.

Barlick beach, Barnoldswick

The temporary beach – a covered pop-up beach in the town centre – is open again this summer. Enjoy digging in the sand, donkeys, entertainment, crafts, markets and more from 21st July to 27th August 2026.

Build an obstacle course

By building simple obstacle courses together, either in your house or in a garden, you can help develop your little one’s motor skills, get them exercising and wear them out too. Try using old blankets and cushions – whatever you have available.

Make a mini garden

Gather petals, leaves and twigs in your garden or in a park to create your own mini garden.

All you need for this activity is somewhere to create your garden, like a paper plate, and access to plants and flowers (that you don’t mind picking).