Great Childhoods Ambition

Sports and physical activity school holiday activities

Child kicking football

Stay active this summer and try something new with a range of sports and physical activity sessions 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.

Bolton Brick Ponds fishing sessions

Angling For All

Provider: Angling for All

Free, supervised fishing sessions during the school holidays, delivered by a fully qualified angling coach. Free bait and tackle is also provided.

Dates and times

  • Monday 27 to Wednesday 29 July

  • Monday 3 to Wednesday 5 August

  • Monday 10 to Wednesday 12 August

  • Monday 17 to Wednesday 19 August

Sessions run from 1pm to 5pm.

Location

Bolton Ponds Fisheries, Furlong Road, Goldthorpe, S63 9EL

How to book

Booking details to follow.

Boxercise

YMCA

Provider: YMCA Barnsley

Dates and times

Tuesday 4 August, 1pm to 3pm

Location

YMCA Barnsley, 1 Blucher Street, Barnsley, S70 1AP

How to book

Booking details to follow.

Crazy archery

YMCA

Provider: YMCA Barnsley

Dates and times

Tuesday 28 July, 10:30am to 12:30pm

Location

YMCA Barnsley, 1 Blucher Street, Barnsley, S70 1AP

How to book

Booking details to follow.

Crazy golf

YMCA

Provider: YMCA Barnsley

Dates and times

Tuesday 21 July, 12pm to 2pm

Location

YMCA Barnsley, 1 Blucher Street, Barnsley, S70 1AP

How to book

Booking details to follow.

Dance sessions

Provider: Hoyland Common Residents Group (HCRG)

Energetic dance sessions right in the heart of Hoyland Common, delivered by an experience and fully qualified dancer. Come and join in, move your body, and learn the dances!

Dates and times

  • Tuesday 21 and 28 July

  • Tuesday 18 and Friday 21 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.

Dance workshop

YMCA

Provider: YMCA Barnsley

Dates and times

Tuesday 11 August, 2pm to 4pm

Location

YMCA Barnsley, 1 Blucher Street, Barnsley, S70 1AP

How to book

Booking details to follow.

Football sessions with Kixx

Provider: Hoyland Common Residents Group (HCRG)

Get sporty with football sessions delivered by Kixx! Come and get involved and have a kick about in Hoyland Common.

Dates and times

Thursday 23 July and Tuesday 11 August. Contact the provider for details of session times.

Location

King George V Playing Field, Tinker Lane, Hoyland Common, Barnsley, S74 0PE

How to book

Booking details to follow.

Junior gym programme

OnPAR Health

Provider: OnPAR Health Community CIC

Fun, high energy gym programme designed to get young people moving, learning, and loving fitness. They’ll try new exercises, explore different pieces of gym equipment, and build confidence whilst developing a genuine love for health, fitness, and staying active.

Dates and times

  • Tuesday 21 to Friday 24 July

  • Monday 27 to Thursday 30 July

  • Monday 3 to Thursday 6 August

  • Monday 10 to Thursday 13 August

  • Monday 17 to Thursday 20 August

  • Monday 24 to Thursday 27 August

Session times vary due to different age groups. Contact the provider for details.

Location

OnPAR Health, Thicket Lane, Worsbrough Dale, Barnsley, S70 4ST

How to book

Book for the summer junior gym programme online.

For more information email onparhealthclub@gmail.com or call Amy on 07834 281257.

Little Timmy: social and emotional learning programme

Elev8 - changing lives

Provider: Elev8 Journeys CIC

Little Timmy – The Young Champions Journey is a fun, boxing-inspired social and emotional learning programme that helps children build confidence, understand their emotions, and learn healthy ways to express themselves. Through stories, simple activities, and supportive group sessions, kids develop real-life skills like self-control, resilience, communication, and problem-solving - in a safe, encouraging space where every child feels seen.

Perfect for children who feel things deeply, struggle with confidence, or just need a boost, the programme is all about progress over perfection - helping young people grow into calmer, kinder, more confident 'young champions'. Spaces are limited, so early sign-up is recommended. Visit Elev8 Journeys for more information.

Dates and times

  • Monday 3 to Friday 7 August

  • Monday 10 to Friday 14 August

Sessions run from 11am to 1pm.

Location

Body Carnegie Centre, Bolton upon Dearne, S63 8JB 

How to book

Email support@elev8journeys.com to book.

Sports sessions with Grassroots Sports Academy

Great Houghton Youth Group

Provider: Great Houghton Youth Group

Join Grassroots Sports Academy for a fun multi-activity session delivered in Great Houghton.

Dates and times

Tuesday 28 July, and Tuesday 4, 11, and 18 August. Afternoon sessions starting at 3pm.

Location

22 Pleasant Avenue, Great Houghton, Barnsley, S72 0BU

How to book

Booking details to follow.

Summer movement club

The Civic Barnsley

Provider: Barnsley Civic

Unlock your child’s creativity this summer! We're offering an exciting new movement club for children aged 5 to 8 who are interested in trying out elements of dance, creative movement, and circus skills. The sessions will offer children a dynamic and engaging experience that supports both artistic exploration and physical development.

Dates and times

Wednesday 22 and 29 July, and 5, 12, 19 and 26 August. Sessions at 10am and 1pm.

Location

The Old Art School at Barnsley Civic, Eldon Street, Barnsley, S70 2JL

How to book

Booking details to follow.

Summer of saddles and smiles

Provider: Barnsley Riding for the Disabled Association

Join us at Barnsley Riding for the Disabled Association for a summer of ponies, confidence, and fun - where every child gets their own pony and volunteer for the session. Our adapted holiday sessions are designed for children and young people aged 7 to 18 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or additional needs, and take place at the Oakwell Centre every week throughout the summer holidays. We especially welcome children who would benefit from a small, calm, and supportive environment.

Dates and times

Every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the school holidays, from 1pm to 3pm.

Location

Barnsley RDA, Oakwell Centre, Pontefract Road, Barnsley, S71 1HF

How to book

Cath or Stacey on 01226 241478 to enquire or book.

Summer sports jam

Active in Barnsley Summer Sports Jam

Provider: Active in Barnsley Sports Anchor Group

The summer sports jam is a free multi–activity programme delivered across the Barnsley borough in partnership with Grassroots Sports Academy, Barnsley Council and Barnsley FC Community Trust. It offers sports, physical activities, cycling/scooter sessions and much more.

Dates and times

More than 20 dates throughout the school holidays - see the provider booking page for dates and times.

Location

Various locations across the borough - see the provider booking page for details.

How to book

Book for the summer sports jam online.

Wombwell summer sports festival

Community Education Links

Provider: Community Education Links

Action packed multi-sports camp with cricket, water wars, dodgeball, laser tag and much more in a fun and safe environment.

Dates and times

  • Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 July

  • Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 July

  • Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 August

Sessions run from 10am to 3pm.

Location

Wombwell Cricket Club, Windmill Road, Wombwell, Barnsley, S73 8PW

How to book

Book for the Wombwell summer sports festival online.