Activities for children and young people
Find free and low-cost activities for children and young people this summer, from holiday courses to drop-in sessions.
Drop-in activities for under 5s
Our libraries offer free rhyme time, story time, and stay and play sessions.
Best Start Family Hubs run free stay and play sessions, including for children with developmental delays. Local community organisations offer free and low-cost activities.
Dates: Various, every week
Location: Across Camden
Find out more:
Libraries
Best Start Family Hubs and community organisations
Sports and physical activity holiday programmes
Free and low-cost activities for children and young people aged up to 17, including multi-sports and gymnastics schemes, Girls Get Moving sessions, football coaching and more. Booking needed
Dates: Until Friday 28 August
Location: Across Camden
Find out more about sports and physical activity holiday programmes
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
For 5 to 16–year-olds who live in Camden and are eligible for benefits-related free school meals. Free activities and meals included. Booking needed
Dates: Until Tuesday 1 September
Location: Across Camden
Find out more about the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
Youth programmes
Youth centres and voluntary sector youth projects run free and low-cost activities for children and young people aged 12 to 19 (up to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities).
Dates: Until Tuesday 1 September
Location: Across Camden
Play schemes
Low-cost play schemes for 4 to 12-year-olds with a range of activities and trips.
Dates: Until Tuesday 1 September
Location: Across Camden
Under 16s swim for £1
Children aged under eight need to be accompanied by an adult who is also swimming.
Dates: Before 10am during school holidays and weekends all year round
Location: Camden leisure centres
Activities for children and young people with SEND
There’s a range of activities for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Camden.
Find out more about activities for children and young people with SEND
Summer Reading Challenge
Children aged 4 to 11 can join the Summer Reading Challenge – visit your local Camden library to sign up. This year’s theme is Read to the Beat, which celebrates the power of music to move, inspire and connect us through the magic of reading.
Find out more about the Summer Reading Challenge
These activities are taking place as part of the Summer Reading Challenge:
Storytelling/reading and craft activities
Join a Summer Reading Challenge-themed storytelling/reading and craft activity for children aged 5 to 12 (4 to 12 at Holborn Library). Free, drop in.
Dates: Wednesday 2 September, 12 noon to 1pm
Location: Ground floor children’s library, Holborn Library, 32–38 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8PA
Films for the Family at The Garden Cinema
Join The Garden Cinema for family films for all ages. Screenings are ‘pay what you can’, which means you can pay as much or as little as you can afford. On Sundays, films are followed by free fun and creative activities for children. Booking needed
Dates: Saturday and Sunday mornings, and additional weekday screenings in the school holidays.
Location: The Garden Cinema, 39-41 Parker Street, WC2B 5PQ
Find out more about Films for the Family at The Garden Cinema
New cycle pump track at Harrington Square Gardens
Young riders can practice on short, sharp laps with BMX bikes, skateboards, scooters and rollerblades.
Address: Harrington Square Gardens, NW1
Find out more about new cycle pump track at Harrington Square Gardens
LEGO at Camden Libraries
LEGO Robotics
Hands on, fun way to learn about programming and robotics. Free, drop in.
Dates: Thursdays, 4 to 5pm
Location: West Hampstead Library, Dennington Park Road, NW6 1AU
Ages: 6+
Dates: Thursdays, 4.30 to 5.30pm
Location: Highgate Library, Chester Road, N19 5DH
Ages: 7 to 12
Find out more about LEGO robotics
LEGO League
Build robots, write code and get started learning about programming. For children aged 6 to 12. Booking needed – email libraries@camden.gov.uk
Dates: Mondays (except bank holidays), 4 to 5pm
Location: West Hampstead Library, Dennington Park Road, NW6 1AU
Find out more about LEGO league
LEGO free play
Drop in to build, create and play at our LEGO free play sessions. Free, drop in.
Dates: Mondays (except bank holidays), 4.30 to 5.30pm
Location: Swiss Cottage Library, 88 Avenue Road, NW3 3HA
Ages: 5 to 8
Dates: Thursdays, 4 to 5pm
Location: Kentish Town Library, 262-266 Kentish Town Road, NW5 2AA
Ages: 4 to 8
Threading Organisms 3.0: Upcycling family workshops at Holborn Library
Get creative with artist Tere in this free drop-in workshop, transforming old textiles into something new.
Dates: Saturday 29 August and Saturday 5 September, 11am to 1pm and 2 to 4.30pm
Location: Holborn Library, 32 – 38 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8PA
Find out more about Threading Organisms 3.0: Upcycling family workshops
Crafternoon at Camden Town Library
Free drop in children’s craft sessions, with a different theme every week. For children of all ages.
Dates: Mondays (except bank holidays), 4 to 5pm
Location: Camden Town Library, 218 Eversholt Street, NW1 1BD
Arts and crafts club at Queens Crescent Library
Free drop in seasonal craft activities for children aged 4 to 8.
Dates: Wednesdays, 4 to 5pm
Location: Queens Crescent Library, 165 Queen’s Crescent, NW5 4HH
Phonics and reading sessions at Queens Crescent Library
Free fun one-to-one interactive sessions designed to build strong reading foundations through games and engaging activities for children aged 4 to 6. Booking needed
Dates: Saturdays, 11am to 5pm
Location: Queens Crescent Library, 165 Queens Crescent, NW5 4HH
Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Club
Mosaic LGBT+ Young Persons’ Trust runs Young Persons’ Club (12 to 17-year-olds), which meets weekly – free membership includes access to activities as part of their Culture Club. Free places are available for those who cannot afford it for paid-for events and trips.
Dates: Wednesdays, 5 to 8pm and Sundays, 12 noon to 3pm
Location: In Euston area – receive address upon joining
Bloomsbury Football at St Pancras Community Association
Children aged 8 to 12 can learn new ball skills and improve their game at these free friendly sessions. No booking needed, just register for free SPCA Wellbeing membership and drop in.
Dates: Mondays, 4.45 to 5.45pm
Location: St Pancras Community Association, 67 Plender Street, NW1 0LB
British Museum family activities
Families can explore the British Museum through free museum explorer trails or via digital Museum Missions, which are specially crafted challenges that guide your family through the galleries. Visitors aged 6 to 16 can also explore the museum with themed backpacks filled with activities, with a dedicated backpack for under 5s and resources for children aged 3 to 11 with additional sensory needs. Free, £10 refundable cash deposit required.
Dates: Backpacks and printed family trails available on weekends and school holidays, 10am to 12.30pm and 1.15 to 4.30pm
Location: Pick up backpacks and printed family trails from the Families Desk, located in the Great Court. British Museum, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG
Family station at the British Library
Drop-in for free, family-led creative and sensory play activities, and a reading corner with braille and tactile editions. For children of all ages. Fully accessible and suitable for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Dates: Last Sunday of the month (30 August), 11am to 3pm
Location: British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB
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Arts and culture
Get creative, pick up a new skill, or discover new worlds at local exhibitions.
Physical activity and wellbeing
Try new ways to get active in Camden, from cycling training and kayaking to volunteering in parks and green spaces.
Community festivals and events
Come along to community festivals and events that bring people together with music, dance and more activities.
