Looking for summer holiday clubs in York? From sports and drama to art and forest school, there’s plenty to keep children busy, happy and genuinely excited through the long summer break. Whether you need reliable childcare cover or just want your kids doing something fun while you get things done, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s be honest: much as we love the summer holidays, they are long (and even longer this year for some reason!). At some point, most of us need a few days where the kids are happily packed off somewhere. York’s got loads of brilliant options, with holiday clubs and camps running across the full seven weeks.
Below is our pick of the best this summer. Don’t forget to book early where you can as the most popular options sell out fast, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for daily ideas and inspiration throughout the holidays.
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Summer Holiday Activities at York Sport
Looking for ways to keep kids active and entertained over the summer? York Sport runs a great range of holiday activities including day camps, week-long swimming courses and family splash sessions.
Holiday swimming courses are open to children aged 5 and up, covering stages 1 to 6 for all abilities, and sessions are taught by experienced instructors in a friendly, supportive environment.
They also offer Junior Triathlon Day Camps for young athletes ages 8 to 16. Let your kids swim, bike, and run their way through an action-packed day of fun and fitness!
Family splash sessions include a selection of inflatable toys & games to add a bit more fun to your normal swimming session, and you can now book ahead of time!
Visit york-sport.com or @yorksport1 for more information
York Theatre Royal: Play in a Week
York Theatre Royal’s Play in a Week camps are a brilliant introduction to drama for children who love a bit of performance magic. Over five mornings or afternoons, kids dive into a full theatrical world, working together to explore characters, stories and scenes before sharing what they’ve created.
This summer there are two strands to choose from. Younger children (5 to 7) step into the madcap world of Grimm’s Fairy Tales, exploring Rapunzel, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel and more, running 10am to 12.30pm. Older children (8 to 11) take on Shakespeare’s The Tempest, an island adventure full of magic, mystery and plotting, running 2pm to 5pm.
📍 York Theatre Royal, St Leonard’s Place, York
🗓 Check website for dates and availability
ℹ️ yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
Adventure Camps at The Mount School and St Peter’s School
Adventure Camps is back this summer at St Peter’s School on Bootham (ages 4-15) and The Mount School York (ages 3-15), with themed weeks, giant inflatables, sports, bushcraft, arts and crafts, and visits from specialist providers.
Every day brings something new, helping children make friends, build confidence, and create lasting memories in a safe, supportive environment. Specialist camps are also available, including Performing Arts, Survival, Young Leaders, and Tech. Places are filling fast, so don’t hang about!
ℹ️ adventure-camps.co.uk
⭐️ Book now to receive 10% off summer bookings with the exclusive code: LITTLEVIK
Arty sessions at The Colour Corner
The Colour Corner is a new children’s art studio in Wetherby that offers fun, creative holiday sessions as well as term-time classes. Take a look at their website for the various options, but themes carnival masks, abstract ink paintings and seahorse bubble paintings. Visit the website.
Forest fun with The Woodland Adventure Company
The Woodland Adventure Company’s forest school-inspired holiday adventures are a firm Little Vikings favourite. Set in beautiful woodland just outside York, sessions are designed for children aged 2 to 11 and offer a genuinely magical mix of outdoor play, nature exploration and hands-on fun. Keep an eye on their website for this summer’s themes and booking dates.
📍 Primrose Hill, Buttercrambe Road, Stamford Bridge, York, YO41 1AW
🗓 Check website for dates and availability
ℹ️ thewoodlandadventurecompany.co.uk
Fun active sessions with York RLFC
This summer, the York RLFC Foundation will stage loads of sessions across York. Most are aimed at kids aged 5 to 13 and are FREE, turn-up-and-play inflatable sessions. Multi-sport sessions and day camps require advance booking, so visit their website for all the info.
For all the details, visit the York RLFC website or email info@yorkrlfc.com for more information
