Keeping kids entertained during the school holidays can be incredibly expensive, but luckily parents don't even need to go far or even leave the high street to find free fun. This list features completely free events like building free LEGO or doing in-store treasure hunts and other free children's events in UK stores, alongside outdoor and at-home ideas and other free things to do with kids.
Top Free In-Store Events on the High Street
Image: Pets at Home "My Pet Pals" Workshop
Free LEGO Make & Take Events (Argos, LEGO & Smyths Toys)
Argos* frequently runs "Make & Take" days (like their recent May Star Wars event) where kids build a model in-store and take it home completely free. Smyths Toysalso gives away free LEGO polybags and hosts mini-build events on selected weekends. LEGO Stores* also run regular free Build & Take events in their UK stores too. You'll need to check the times for the in store events before you head off, and the freebies are on a first come first served basis.
Meet Characters at The Entertainer
You can take your kids to meet huge characters like Paw Patrol's Chase, Skye, and Rubble, or Cocomelon characters for free at The Entertainer* stores at regular in store events. Characters appear at intervals (usually around 10 am - 4 pm) and you should check your local store's schedule for the latest scheduled event.
John Lewis Free Craft Clubs & Treasure Hunts
John Lewis stores host lots of wonderful free events for My John Lewis* members, which is free to join. Previous activities for children have included things like pom-pom making, foil art, and the super popular Summer With Bluey* events including Treasure Hunts where kids find letters around the store to win a prize.
IKEA Småland (60 Minutes of Free Play)
If you're off to IKEA remember the ultimate shopping hack: IKEA’s free supervised play area, Småland*! Kids aged 3–10 get 60 minutes of free arts, crafts, and ball-pit play while parents shop.
Pets at Home "My Pet Pals" Workshops
If your child is mad about pets you can bring them along to your local Pets At Home store for some hands-on experience with furry friends. The free My Pet Pals Workshops* are best suited for 4-10 years olds and to allow enough room for everyone places are limited to one adult per child. At the end of the workshop, your child will be presented with a sticker and personalised certificate, signed by the Pet Pal. Sessions run daily in school holidays and you can book your child's place here*.
Code Ninjas Free Dojo Sessions
At Code Ninjas, kids learn real AI, Robotics and Coding skills through structured, hands-on lessons that feel like play. They offer Free Dojo Sessions to kids aged 5-14 so they can try it out for free to see if they want to sign up for a paid programme or summer camp in the future. Just click here and find the store nearest you to book your child in to their free session.
Free Apple Summer Camp Sessions
If you have an Apple store nearby they will be once again running their free Summer Camp sessions very soon. They invite kids aged 6–10 and their families to explore drawing, photography and more using Freeform on iPad with Apple Pencil Pro. To join a free session at the Apple Store, sign up on the Apple website here for email alerts and they’ll notify you when registration is live.
The Dobbies "Little Seedlings" Club
If you’re looking for children’s garden ideas the Dobbies Little Seedlings Clubis a great was to encourage your child’s connection to plants, wildlife and the environment, with lots of fun-filled activities. They have regular free in store gardening workshops for children as well as lots of free online activities for rainy days. Click here to view the latest Little Seedlings children's activities and book free in store kids workshops.
Waterstones Free Storytelling & Children's Book Club Events
If you have a little bookworm to entertain make sure you check out your local Waterstones* book store events listing. Many stores have regular free children's storytelling sessions for younger children, and a free children's book club for older readers, and there have even been some free craft sessions in the past too. Click here and search for your local store's listing to see what's on offer near you.
Free Outdoor Activity Ideas
Image: Forestry England 'Room on the Broom' trail
McDonald's Free "Fun Football" Sessions
The McDonald's Fun Footballevents are back for summer 2026, and you can sign your child up to attend a free session near you to claim your free official FIFA World Cup 26 Trionda Mini Ball too! Sessions are designed for 5-11-year-olds of all abilities and are led by Level 1 qualified coaches with a focus on confidence, inclusion, and fun. Places are limited and likely to go fast so it's a good idea tobook early here.As well as the free football sessions during the Summer McDonald's Fun Football Festivals will be popping up at towns, cities, beaches and civic events across the UK. Festivals offer families the opportunity to test their football skills in challenges in our skills zones. Kids can get involved in football activities hosted by qualified coaches, or chill out with one of our great activity books, full of stickers, games and skills challenges, or where possible, even have their face painted all for free. Click here to find you nearest McDonald's Fun Football Festival.
Local Parks Splash Parks
If the weather is good many local councils have local splash parks that are entirely free to use. Search your local council website for information on summer opening times of splash parks. Great examples include Splashlands in Welwyn Garden City featuring a 600m² splash pad, winding paddling river, and a pirate ship playground, Cyfarthfa Park Splash Pad in Merthyr Tydfil which has free parking and sits next to a massive children's park, and Bennett's Splash Park in Dunstable which has 16 interactive water features including spray shooter cannons.
Forestry England Family Trails
Forestry England sites often have free access trails designed specifically for families, such as the popular Room on the Broom trail or Gruffalo Orienteering. You only have to pay for parking (or grab the optional activity pack), but walking the trail itself is completely free. There are lots of free forest play areas too that the kids could visit after the trail.
Geocaching
App-based treasure hunts like Geocaching are an any day, any time activity with physical containers hidden all around the world you can find from a set of coordinates. It's a great way to keep kids active outdoors while exploring with parents on a fun treasure hunt.
Explore Free Historic Ruins
English Heritagecares for over 400 historic sites, and around 250 of them are completely free to enter without a ticket. Parents can look up local free castles, abbeys, and ancient ruins for a day of exploring and picnicking on the grounds with the kids.
Free Rainy Day Ideas
Image: Science Museum London, Space Gallery
National Museums and Galleries
Many towns and cities have free access to museums and galleries, such as large sites like the Science Museum London, the Science & Industry Museum in Manchester*, and the Tate Modern in London as well as hundreds of local council museums that are ideal for rainy days with kids over the school holidays. Many also have special free events for younger visitors running over the school holidays. Make sure you check out local museum service listing for the latest events, entry times and more.
Local Libraries Free Activities
If you're a regular at your local library you may already be aware of what free clubs and activities are on, but if you haven't checked them out yet for the kids it's well worth a look. We've seen lots of free sessions advertised at libraries including crafts, story or rhyme time sessions for little ones, and even dance sessions too. Check out your local library events listing on your local council websites to see what's on near you. Be aware that many sessions will need to be booked in advance and places can go fast.
Best Start Family Hubs
If you have babies or younger children the government's newBest Start Family Hubs are now rolling out across the country. There are hundreds already open and by 2028 the aim is to have one in every local authority. They're a 'one-stop shop' for families with children from pregnancy through the early years and beyond, and they offer free classes, events and activities as well as advice and support. Check you local council's website to find the hub nearest you.
Free Shopping Centre Trails & Entertainment
Outlet & Mall Character Trails
Many shopping centres host free trails and events over the school holidays like the super popular free Bluey Story Time sessions held at the Merrion Centre in Leeds recently. Check your local shopping centre events guide for the latest events and free kids activities.
Finding free things to do with kids is getting easier, and hopefully we've given you some more ideas for free activities for the school holidays. Which in-store events have you scored freebies at recently? Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter so you never miss a free Argos LEGO drop announcement.
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