Free Family Activities in Liverpool Summer 2026
Looking for ways to keep the kids entertained during the summer holidays without spending a fortune? Liverpool and Knowsley are packed with fantastic free family activities, from community fun days and holiday programmes to sports sessions, library events and creative workshops.
Whether you’re looking for something to do on a sunny afternoon, a rainy day activity, or ways to keep little ones busy throughout the school break, there are plenty of options to enjoy locally.
🎉 Community Events & Holiday Activities
🏃 TDCA Holiday Activities
📍 Halewood Leisure Centre | New Hutte | Frensham Park, L26
TDCA are running their summer holiday programme with sports, games and activities to keep children active throughout the holidays.
📅 Monday to Thursday until 13 August
🔗 More info here
🌞 Bowring Park Summer Programme
📍 Bowring Park, L36 4HD
Enjoy a summer of free family activities including fun days, sports, magic shows, face painting, circus skills, live music and more.
🔗 More info here
🧸 Family Space at St Peter’s Hub
📍 St Peter’s Hub, Church Road, Woolton
A relaxed family session with toys, games, arts and crafts, snacks and the chance to meet other local families.
📅 Selected Tuesdays throughout the summer holidays
💷 Suggested donation: £2 per family
🔗 More info here
🎨 Speke Venny Summer Programme
📍 Speke Adventure Playground, Conleach Road, L24
A packed summer programme with holiday activities, sports, games and youth sessions for local children and teenagers.
🔗 More info here
🌿 Knowsley Summer in the Parks
📍 Various parks across Knowsley
Free family activities including bug hunts, teddy bears’ picnics, reptile sessions, bat walks, gardening, crafts and nature activities. Events take place across locations including Court Hey Park, McGoldrick Park, Jubilee Park, Saxon Green and Stadt Moers Park.
🔗 More info here
🌈 Netherley Youth Initiative Playscheme
📍 Dawsons Road, Liverpool, L27 8XR
A summer playscheme packed with activities to keep children entertained throughout the school holidays.
📅 Running until 14 August
🔗 More info here
🎉 Liverpool City Council Family Fun Days
📍 Princes Park | Rice Lane City Farm | Garston Park
Free family fun days with giant inflatables, mini golf, go karts, mini trains, dancing, singing and more.
📅 5 August, Princes Park, 1pm to 3pm
📅 12 August, Rice Lane City Farm, 1pm to 3pm
📅 19 August, Garston Park, 1pm to 3pm
🔗 More info here
⚽ Sports & Active Fun
⚽ Summer HAF Programmes
📍 Across Liverpool & Knowsley
Free Holiday Activities and Food sessions for eligible families, including sports, crafts, dance, outdoor activities and creative workshops.
🔗 Liverpool HAF programmes here
🔗 Knowsley HAF programmes here
💪 Free Lifestyles Junior Gym Memberships
📍 Lifestyles Leisure Centres across Liverpool
Liverpool residents aged 8 to 17 can access free junior memberships, including gym and swimming sessions at participating leisure centres.
🔗 More info here
🏊 Free Junior Swimming at Volair
📍 Volair Halewood | Huyton | Kirkby | Stockbridge Village
Children under 16 can enjoy free swimming sessions throughout the school holidays at Volair leisure centres. A free Volair membership is required before visiting.
🔗 More info here
🏃♀️ Parkrun: Free Weekly Running Events
📅 Every Saturday & Sunday
📍 Various locations across Liverpool
Get active as a family with Parkrun, free timed running events suitable for all ages and abilities.
🔗 More info here
🌿 Nature Trail: Chavasse Park
📅 Daily during park hours
📍 Chavasse Park, Liverpool ONE, L1 8JQ
Pick up a free activity booklet and explore Chavasse Park on a self-guided nature trail. Spot wildlife, learn about plants and complete fun challenges along the way.
🔗 More info here
📚 Reading, Creative Activities & Museums
🎶 Get Musical This Summer with Liverpool Libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge
📍 Liverpool Libraries | Various locations
Liverpool Libraries’ Read to the Beat! Summer Reading Challenge invites children to discover music inspired books, set reading goals and enjoy free summer activities. Children can also take part in songwriting sessions, storytelling, crafts and creative activities throughout the holidays.
🔗 More info here
📚 Knowsley Libraries Summer Activities
📍 Libraries across Knowsley
Free summer activities including crafts, storytelling, science, music, nature activities and the Summer Reading Challenge.
🔗 More info here
📚 Storytelling & Reading Nooks: Liverpool ONE
📅 Ongoing
📍 Coffee shops around Liverpool ONE, L1 8JQ
Pop into participating coffee shops and discover free reading corners stocked with children’s books from The Reader Bookshelf.
🔗 More info here
🦖 Dino Takeover: World Museum Liverpool
📅 Running now, check website for latest dates
📍 World Museum, William Brown Street, Liverpool, L3 8EN
Explore prehistoric times with life sized dinosaur models and fossil discoveries. Entry is free with regular museum admission.
🔗 More info here
🐾 Pets at Home: My Pet Pals Workshops
📅 School holidays, check local store
📍 Pets at Home stores nationwide
Interactive sessions where children can learn how to care for pets, meet small animals and earn a certificate.
🔗 More info here
🌿 Free Family Events at Sefton Park Palm House
📅 Various dates throughout summer
📍 Sefton Park Palm House, Liverpool L17 1AP
Enjoy free family friendly events including kids’ crafts, storytelling, music and nature themed activities in the beautiful surroundings of the Palm House.
🔗 More info here
🏛️ World Museum Liverpool
📍 William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EN
Discover ancient history, space and dinosaurs with interactive exhibits, including the Dino Takeover exhibition.
🔗 More info here
🏛️ Museum of Liverpool
📍 Pier Head, Liverpool L3 1DG
Explore Liverpool’s story with interactive zones, family activities and workshops during school holidays.
🔗 More info here
🎨 Walker Art Gallery
📍 William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EL
Enjoy art collections, family trails and creative activities for children during school holidays.
🔗 More info here
🏖️ Outdoor Fun
🏖️ Beach Fest Liverpool ONE
📍 Chavasse Park, Liverpool ONE
Liverpool ONE’s Chavasse Park is being transformed into a summer seaside escape with an urban sandy beach, family friendly rides, entertainment and activities for all ages.
📅 18 July to 31 August
Perfect for building sandcastles, enjoying summer attractions and spending time together as a family, Beach Fest brings a taste of the seaside to the city centre.
🔗 More info here
🏖️ New Brighton Beach
📍 New Brighton, Wirral
If you fancy heading slightly outside Liverpool, New Brighton Beach is a brilliant free family day out. Enjoy sandcastle building, paddling, beach walks and plenty of space for the kids to explore. Make sure to take some time to complete the mermaid trail too!
🚗 Free parking is available nearby, making it a budget friendly option for a classic beach day.
🔗 More info here
🌳 Explore Liverpool’s Best Parks & Green Spaces
Liverpool is home to some brilliant parks and outdoor spaces, perfect for picnics, playground adventures, scooting, exploring nature and letting the kids burn off some energy.
🌿 Sefton Park
📍 L17 1AP
🌊 Otterspool Promenade
📍 L17 4AR
🌳 Croxteth Park
📍 L11 1EG
🌸 Calderstones Park
📍 L18 3JB
🌱 Springfield Park
📍 L14 1NY
🌅 Everton Park
📍 L5 3PQ
🌺 Stanley Park
📍 L4 9XP
🦆 Newsham Park
📍 L6 2BL
🌿 Princes Park
📍 L8 3TR
🚲 Walton Hall Park
📍 L4 5TF
I’ll keep updating this guide as more events are announced, so make sure to bookmark it and check back for the latest family-friendly activities happening across Liverpool and Knowsley this summer. 🌞