Low-cost summer fun in Leicester for the school holidays

Families looking for a low-cost day out this summer can find things to do in Leicester’s children’s centres, parks, libraries and museums. There's plenty to do and most of it costs nothing or very little.

As schools prepare to close for the long break, the city council is getting ready to open its venues for a summer of affordable fun, offering children the chance to explore a heritage building, ride on a steam train, hook ducks from the Town Hall Square fountain, or enjoy the sound of a brass band in one of Leicester’s parks.

Ideas for dozens of free and low-cost things to do in Leicester during the school holidays ­– organised by Leicester City Council and other partner organisations – are listed on the council's online holiday guide.

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Highlights of the six-week-long programme include Roman-themed free family activities in venues across the Cultural Quarter on Saturday, July 13, a family-friendly guided bike tour through the Glenfield Tunnel on Monday, July 15, weekly Railway Days at Abbey Pumping Station each Tuesday and a fun day inspired by Leicester’s larger-than-life legend Daniel Lambert at Newarke Houses Museum on Wednesday, July 17.

There’s also a Magical Gardens craft day at Belgrave Hall on Wednesday, July 24, a Cops ‘n’ Robbers fun day at the Guildhall – Leicester’s first police station – on Thursday, July 25, a Heritage Sunday on July 28, when buildings including the ancient Magazine and the Great Hall of Leicester Castle will be open to the public, a Summer Garden Party for all the family on Wednesday, July 31, at Belgrave Hall and a Teddy Bears’ Picnic at Newarke Houses Museum on Monday, August 5.

Young children can enjoy an afternoon of storybook-inspired crafts and activities at Belgrave Hall’s Story Book Forest on Wednesday, August 7, there’s magical fun at the Guildhall’s Wizard School on Thursday, August 8, youngsters can meet the beekeeper at Wings & Wildflowers at Newarke Houses Museum on Saturday, August 17, while all the family can enjoy a fun day at Abbey Pumping Station on Sunday, August 18, with vintage vehicles, craft stalls, rides on the steam locomotive, refreshments from the café, and drinks from a gin and cocktail bar.

From Monday, July 15, until Friday, August 23, young children and families can enjoy free activities at Leicester’s children, young people and family centres. The Get Up & Go programme will include lots of indoor and outdoor fun, such as skipping, circus skills and giant games, as well as a chance to have a go on the smoothie and spin art bikes.

Times vary at each family centre venue so people are advised to check the timetable at families.leicester.gov.uk or to call their local children’s centre

And there's more. Town Hall Square will host Mini Playdays on Wednesdays throughout the summer, with giant outdoor games, story-time, arts & crafts and a dedicated area for babies. Mini Playdays will take place from 11am to 2pm, with the big one – National Playday – transforming Town Hall Square into a giant playground on Wednesday, August 7, from 11am to 3pm.

A free Summer Extravaganza on Victoria Park on Wednesday, August 21, will bring the Get Up & Go programme to a close. Leicester’s libraries will be promoting a summer of reading, with a brand new Summer Reading Challenge.

‘Marvellous Makers’ – which runs until Sunday, September 15 – challenges youngsters to visit their local library three times and read at least six books over the summer. In return, they’ll pick up stickers, collectibles and a certificate when they complete the challenge.

A free family fun session, with games, puzzles, crafts and stories, will also take place at each of Leicester’s libraries between July 22 and August 15. Families can find out when their local library will be hosting its Fun Afternoon here.

Some libraries will also be hosting additional workshops and activities, which are free to attend but must be booked in advance. Activities include Simple Science, Lego Coding and National Space Centre workshops.

More information is available at leicester.gov.uk/summerreadingchallenge.

Another idea for a low-cost day out is to pack up a picnic, a ball and some outdoor games and head for one of Leicester’s parks. At 3pm on Sundays throughout the summer, the council’s Bands in the Parks programme brings live music to one park each week – and the timetable of free performances is available here.

Other free events taking place in July include For the Love of Jazz in Jubilee Square on Saturday, July 20, from noon to 8pm, Bike Fest at the Leicester Cycle Circuit at New College on Saturday, July 27, and Leicester Open Streets on Sunday, July 28.

More ideas for free and low-cost summer fun are listed at families.leicester.gov.uk/free-summer-activities, with suggestions for other activities available at visitleicester.info.