With the summer holidays approaching you might be wondering how to keep your children busy, entertained and off screens! The holidays are a great time to get kids playing, connecting with nature, and trying new activities.
Why it’s great to keep kids moving
Staying active during the break isn’t just a great way to burn off energy. Getting moving everyday is really important for children’s physical health, mental wellbeing and social development. Regular movement supports healthy growth, improves mood and sleep, builds confidence, and helps prevent boredom or screen overload. Recommendations are that children should be getting active for an average of 60 minutes each day over a week.
However, with 6 weeks of holidays to fill it can seem tricky and expensive to keep kids active and entertained. We’ve got some suggestions for how you can get children moving and enjoy being active as a family, without breaking the bank.
Discover the Great Outdoors
Enjoy getting active as a family in one of Lincolnshire’s parks or nature reserves. Go for a walk, or grab a ball or frisbee and enjoy spending time together in the nature. Many parks also offer free family activities during the summer holidays. A few suggestions to visit are below.
Country Parks & Nature Reserves
- Hartsholme Country Park (Lincoln): 200-acre green space with lakes, walking trails, and play areas (look out for a range of workshops throughout the summer holiday including den building and bug hunts).
- Witham Way Country Park (Boston): 38 acres of woodlands, cycling paths, fishing, and a parkrun every Saturday morning
- Whisby Nature Park (North Kesteven – near Lincoln) Family birdwatching, bug hunts, walking trails and outdoor play – ideal for curious little explorers.
- Wyndham Park (Grantham), offers a beautiful space for walking and playing. Nature trail sheets and duck food, as well as table tennis bats and balls, are available from the visitor centre. There are also tennis courts and a model boating lake.
These local gems offer endless low-cost or free outdoor fun – perfect for mixing in active family time with fresh air and downtime. Find more suggestions for places to get active outdoors on our walking pages. You can also take a look at our #StrideandRide Family Bingo card encouraging you to walk and cycle more as a family.
Active Family Friendly events
There are lots of free or low cost events to keep your whole family active taking place in Lincolnshire over the summer. We’ve gathered a few of them below:
YMCA Lincolnshire Summer Fayre Lincoln on Saturday 26th July, at The Showroom, Lincoln
At this open day there will be a chance to try out a variety of fun activities and games for all ages. Go along to discover the opportunities for young people that YMCA offer, from parkour and climbing walls, to their early year’s provision. Find out more on YMCA Facebook page.
Love Parks Events in South Holland, Monday 28 – Thursday 31 July, (11am – 3pm each day)
Look out for Love Parks Events taking place in South Holland this summer. Organised by South Holland DC Communities team, these events promise fun packed days of sports, arts and crafts, and garden games. Pack a picnic and join the festivities – everyone is welcome. There are events taking place at parks in Cowbit, Deeping St Nicholas, Sutton Bridge and Pinchbeck. Visit South Holland DC’s Community Team facebook page for more information.
Shine Family Fun Day 2025, Wyndham Park, Grantham, Wed 13 August, 10am – 2:30pm
This free event is packed with activities for all ages, including: Tennis & football coaching, guided bike rides, dog show, arts & crafts, yoga & outdoor fitness, Teddy Bears Picnic – and more!
Give It a Go Event – Carters Park, Holbeach, Saturday 31 August, 11am – 3pm
The South Holland Communities Team are also organising this jam packed day of free activities showcasing what local sports clubs and community groups have on offer within the district. Activities that will be available include, a mobile climbing wall, mini-golf, garden games, arts and crafts and much more! Find out more on the facebook event page.
Sports & Activity Camps and Sessions
Summer can be a great opportunity for children to discover a new sport or activity. An activity session or camp could provide a new passion, as well as the chance to enjoy getting active, have fun and make friends. Take a look at these free options below.
You might also want to check out activity camps and sessions running at your local leisure centre.
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
If your child receives free school meals, they’re eligible for free sports, dance, arts, cooking, team games and hot lunches during the holidays. There are HAF sessions running across Lincolnshire, More information can be found on Lincolnshire County Council’s HAF page.
Lincoln North community event in partnership with Family Hubs and HAF, Friday, 25 July, 10am – 1pm, Lincoln North Children’s Centre and Sports Field (LN2 2DD)
Explore fun, healthy, and engaging activities available across Lincolnshire this summer, at this free event for all families with children aged 0-19 (25 SEND). You can meet the family Hub tam and HAF providers.
Magna Vitae are running their popular Schools Out programme in communities across East Lindsey once again this summer. The free summer sessions will feature games, movement, creativity and a chance to make new friends. Activities will be running in Alford, Binbrook, Wainfleet, Coningsby, Tattershall, Wragby, Spilsby and North Somercotes.
Visit their webpage to find out more
Lincolnshire County Cricket are working with local cricket clubs across Lincolnshire to run All Stars and Dynamos cricket summer holiday camps for ages 5 -11. There are mixed and girls only camps on offer, with free spaces for each camp. Take a look at the camps on offer and express interest here.
YMCA Sessions at St Giles Youth Centre, Lincoln
23 July, 29 July, 8 August, 11 August, 20 August, 28 August, 3 September
Juniors Session 12pm until 2pm (ages 7 -13)
Senior Session 2.30 until 4.30pm (ages 13 – 17)
YMCA have activity sessions running at the recently opened St. Giles Youth Centre in Lincoln. Keep an eye on their facebook page for more details and booking coming soon!
Horncastle Youth Group and Wright Way Sports have teamed up to offer a Free Horncastle Summer Club offering dance, dport and activities during the school holiday for young people aged 11 – 16 years. Dates are 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th August. Find out more here.
South Holland Summer Fun Directory
On South Holland District Council’s website you can find a packed digital brochure with fun summer activities for ages. From sports camps and swimming lessons to youth clubs and crafts.
Visit the website to take a look at what’s on offer.
Find other sports activities and clubs for your child to get involved with on our Activity Finder.
Enjoy a Family Swim
Weather heating up? Keep cool this summer with a refreshing family swim at one of Lincolnshire’s many leisure centres or outdoor pools. Whether you’re splashing around with toddlers or helping older kids practise their strokes, swimming is a fun and healthy activity for all ages.
Look out for dedicated Family Swims, which often include swim floats, toys – perfect for making memories together in the water. Many pools also offer shallow areas and learner pools for younger children, as well as onsite cafés or picnic spots for a full day out.
For a truly summery experience, head to Jubilee Park in Woodhall Spa, home to a popular heated outdoor lido surrounded by trees and open green space. It’s a favourite with families thanks to its relaxed atmosphere, beautiful location, and booking options for family slots during busy periods.
Other family-friendly swimming options across Lincolnshire include:
- One NK (North Hykeham) – A ‘Magna Carta’ splash zone provides plenty of actitivites for little ones, the centre also hosts regular family fun swim sessions with pool toys and floats and a water flume.
- Meridian Leisure Centre (Louth) – Great for younger children with interactive water features. There are plenty of family splash sessions for all ages throughout the summer. For older children (8+) who can swim 50 metres look out for their pool inflatable sessions!
- West Lindsey Leisure Centre (Gainsborough) – The pool offers family swims and inclusive family sessions.
Don’t forget to check pool timetables in advance, as session times can vary during school holidays.
Discover more swimming pools and facilities near you on our Activity Finder.