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Get the whole family involved this summer with a range of arts, crafts and games activities and events during the school holidays.
The activities are part of the Great Childhoods Ambition School Holiday Enrichment Programme, and are delivered by a range of local partners.
You need to book to take part in some of the activities - details of how to do this are listed with each activity. Many are fully inclusive, but you should contact the provider directly if you or your child have any specific needs or requirements to be able to take part.
Ancient Egypt Extravaganza
Provider: Barnsley Museums
Delve into the history of ancient Egypt, create cool crafts, hold amazing artefacts and take on the super tricky sphinx challenge. There is so much to do for all ages in this free, fun-filled family day.
Dates and times
Friday 24 July, from 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm.
Location
Experience Barnsley Museum, Barnsley Town Hall, Church Street, Barnsley, S70 2TA
How to book
No need to book - drop-in session.
Bounce into summer
Provider: Goldthorpe Development Group
Come and join us for a fun family day out in Goldthorpe. £5 entry and free bouncy castles all day for children, food and market stalls to enjoy for adults.
Dates and times
Wednesday 12 August, 11am to 4pm:
11am to 12pm is a quieter hour for children with sensory issues or special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
12pm to 4pm is open to the general public.
Location
Dearne Area Football Club’s cricket ground, Goldthorpe, S63 9EH
How to book
No need to book - drop-in event.
Crafting sessions with Hoyland Common Residents Group
Provider: Hoyland Common Residents Group (HCRG)
Get creative and crafty with Hoyland Common Residents Group. These craft sessions will give children and their families open access to a mix of art materials, as well as jewellery making, Lego, and more.
Dates and times
Tuesday 4, Thursday 6, and Thursday 13 August. Contact the provider for details of session times.
Location
Hoyland Common WMC, Fitzwilliam Street, Hoyland Common, Barnsley, S74 0NJ
How to book
Booking details to follow.
Crazy contraptions with Amazelab
Provider: Barnsley Museums
Get inventive at our crazy contraptions workshop, where families can build wacky Rube Goldberg-style machines using everyday objects inspired by the surroundings of Elsecar Heritage Centre! Create incredible chain reactions and watch as one simple action triggers a series of surprising effects. It’s a playful, hands-on way to explore physics and cause-and-effect while letting your imagination run wild. This session is aimed at children aged 5 or over and their families.
Dates and times
Friday 14 August, from 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm.
Location
Elsecar Heritage Centre
How to book
No need to book - drop-in session.
Creative at Cooper craft club: luscious landscapes
Provider: Barnsley Museums
Get creative at Cooper Gallery this summer. Highlighting our four new landscapes on display, you'll have a chance to create your own 3D pop-up tunnel picture, design a picture postcard using collage techniques, and learn some tricks and techniques to for perspective drawing.
Dates and times
Tuesday 28 July, from 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm.
Location
Cooper Gallery, 33 Church Street, Barnsley, S70 2AH
How to book
No need to book - drop-in session.
Family forest in the sun fun days
Provider: Gone Wild Education CIC Ltd
Gone Wild Education CIC’s family forest in the sun fun days bring families together for joyful outdoor adventures packed with nature, creativity, and play. Children and grown ups explore the woodland through hands-on activities, from nature crafts and bug hunting to storytelling and imaginative play. It’s a relaxed, friendly space where memories are made and everyone can experience the magic of being outdoors together.
Dates and times
Thursday 23 July
Tuesday 28 July
Thursday 30 July
Tuesday 4 August
Thursday 6 August
Tuesday 11 August
Tuesday 18 August
Thursday 20 August
Morning sessions are from 10am to 12pm, afternoon sessions from 1pm to 3pm.
Location
Goldthorpe Railway Embankment, Barnsley Road, Goldthorpe, S63 9AE
How to book
Book the family forest in the sun fun days online.
Family fun days
Provider: The Exodus Project
Come join The Exodus Project's holiday club for the whole family! Families will engage in cooking classes, arts and crafts, family games, sports, and creative workshops. Wellbeing sessions will focus on mindfulness, parenting support, and family goal-setting. Shared meals will promote healthy eating and strengthen family bonds.
Dates and times
Tuesday 21, Thursday 23, Monday 27, and Wednesday 29 July
Tuesday 4, Thursday 6, Monday 10, and Thursday 13 August
Sessions run from 10am to 3pm.
Location
Exodus Project Activity Centre, Jenny’s Field, 16B Main Street, South Hiendley, Barnsley, S72 9BP
How to book
Book The Exodos Project family fun day online.
Family fun event in Great Houghton
Provider: Great Houghton Youth Group
Dates and times
Saturday 22 August, from 12pm to 4pm.
Location
Great Houghton Welfare Hall, Rotherham Road, Great Houghton, Barnsley, S72 0EG
How to book
No need to book - drop-in event.
Family holiday activity day
Provider: Ad Astra
Families are welcome to join us for an environment themed holiday activity day. Come and get creative making things for the garden and learning about the environment and how we can support it. Lunch is provided for all that attend.
Dates and times
Tuesday 4 August, from 10am to 2pm.
Location
Ad Astra CIC, New Lodge Crescent, Barnsley, S71 1SH
How to book
Email adastrabarnsleycic@gmail.com to book.
Farmyard explorers
Provider: Walking the Goats at Lower Coates
Join us at Lower Coates Farm for a fun-filled hands-on animal experience where families can meet, handle, and interact with our friendly goats and other animals. Sessions will include fun family challenges, team-building activities, and creative arts and crafts, giving everyone the chance to enjoy the outdoors, build confidence around animals, and make lasting memories together.
Dates and times
21, 23 and 28 July
11, 13, 18, 20, 25 and 27 August
Morning sessions start at 10am. A few dates also offer an afternoon session starting at 1pm - check with the provider for these.
Location
Lower Coates Farm, Blackergreen Lane, Silkstone Common, S75 4PR
How to book
Email kelly@lcfltd.co.uk to book.
Fenn’s Den forest school stay and play
Provider: Fenn’s Denn
Forest school stay and play sessions for children up to age 8 and their carers. Each session includes exploratory play, learning new nature based skills, and a campfire experience (weather dependent).
Dates and times
Friday 31 July
Monday 3, Friday 7, Monday 10, Monday 17, and Friday 21 August
Sessions run from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.
Location
Sessions will be delivered at:
Locke Park - Park Road, Barnsley, S70 6NA
Wombwell Park - Wright Crescent, Wombwell, Barnsley, S73 0ES
Elsecar Park - Armroyd Lane, Elsecar, S74 8ES
Contact the provider to check dates for each location.
How to book
Call 07909 848862 to book.
H.O.P.E family sessions
Provider: H.O.P.E
Join us for our exciting family session, packed with creative arts and crafts, enriching activities, outdoor games, and fun board games for the whole family to enjoy. These sessions provide opportunities for families to learn, play, build confidence, and create meaningful connections together, with plenty of sensory equipment available to support inclusive participation.
Dates and times
Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 August, from 10:30am to 2:30pm.
Location
St George's Church, Barnsley, S70 1BD
How to book
Booking details to follow.
Little City - get school ready
Provider: Barnsley Civic
In these special 'get school ready' sessions Little City is working with Barnsley Civic to offer free summer sessions to help parents/carers with enabling the children to be ready to start in September. Sessions will cover all the skills required for starting school, all whilst having lots of fun:
practising using cutlery, carrying food trays, and cutting food
learning about hygiene and the importance of oral health
following instructions, playing with other children, sharing and taking turns
putting on school uniform, coats and shoes
improving fine and gross motor skills, and social and communication skills
Dates and times
23 and 24 July, and 6, 7, 20 and 21 August. Session times at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2pm.
Location
The Old Art School at Barnsley Civic, Eldon Street, Barnsley, S70 2JL
How to book
Booking details to follow.
Pride in Yorkshire Day
Provider: Barnsley Museums
What better way is there to celebrate God’s Own Country than coming along to the UK's most family friendly museum? This exciting and action packed day will include Yorkshire pudding flinging, crazy cricket crafts, the chance to make your own Yorkshire rose, and lots of other activities and crafts to help you find out about the weird and wonderful people and places that have made Barnsley the place we know and love today.
Dates and times
Tuesday 4 August, from 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm.
Location
Experience Barnsley Museum, Barnsley Town Hall, Church Street, Barnsley, S70 2TA
How to book
No need to book - drop-in session.
Rise festival
Provider: Jolly Good Communities
Join us for a fun packed community event, powered by young people, for young people. The festival will bring together music, creativity, wellbeing, and community in a vibrant, music festival-style atmosphere.
Dates and times
Friday 28 August, from 4pm to 8pm
Location
Monk Bretton Priory, Abbey Lane, Barnsley, S71 5QD
How to book
No need to book - drop-in event.
Themed breakfast activity clubs
Provider: Ad Astra
Join our activity breakfast clubs with cereals, toast and fresh fruit, which will have an activity theme for each session. Check out science experiments and podcast recordings, take part in some growing and planting being creative in the garden, explore music and fashion, and learn about the connections between Barnsley and Hull in lots of creative ways. Families are welcome at these breakfast clubs.
Dates and times
Tuesday 21 and Thursday 30 July
Thursday 6 and 13, and Tuesday 18 August
Sessions run from 10am to 12:30pm.
Location
Ad Astra CIC, New Lodge Crescent, Barnsley, S71 1SH
How to book
Email adastrabarnsleycic@gmail.com to book.
Trans Pennine Trail kids activity pack
Provider: Trans Pennine Trail
Step into a world of adventure, discovery, and creativity on the Trans Pennine Trail! Get out in nature this summer and complete the Trans Pennine Trail kids activity pack.
Our free activity packs are packed with nature-inspired challenges, creative crafts, and outdoor games; perfect for key stage 1 and 2, and ideal for families and schools alike. Each pack is designed to support learning in geography, science, and PE, while promoting health, wellbeing, and a love for the environment. Download the pack and start your adventure today!
Dates and times
Throughout the holidays - take part any time.
Location
Various - find a trail in Barnsley.
How to book
Booking not required.
Willow weaving workshops
Provider: The Art Room
Drop in for a free family willow weaving workshop at Worsbrough Mill and enjoy a fun, creative activity inspired by nature. Parents, carers and children of all ages are invited to weave, create and explore together while making their own willow artwork to take home.
Dates and times
Thursday 13 and Friday 14 August, 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm.
Location
Worsbrough Mill, Worsbrough Bridge, Barnsley, S70 5L
How to book
No need to book - drop-in session.
Wind and wings with Amazelab
Provider: Barnsley Museums
Join our magical wind and wings: flying mystical creatures workshop, where storytelling meets science in a hands-on family adventure! Design and build your own mystical gliders or wings, then test how far they can fly as you explore the forces of lift, gravity, and wind. Experiment, measure distances, and improve your creations together in this fun STEAM-inspired session. This session is aimed at children aged 5 or over and their families.
Dates and times
Tuesday 11 August, from 11am to 12:30pm and 1pm to 3pm.
Location
Cannon Hall Museum
How to book
No need to book - drop-in session.