Keep the kids busy this summer on a budget

Summer activities for children eligible for free school meals

Children who are eligible for free school meals can join in fun, free activities this summer at locations across the city – and enjoy a daily hot lunch for free. Thanks to the Southampton Holiday Activities and Food programme children and young people aged 4 to 16 can have a go at activities such as computing, sports, arts and crafts, dance, drama, adventure clubs, gardening, cookery and much more. Find out more, see what’s happening near you and sign up for a free activity on the booking site.

Free things to do in Southampton

There are lots of other ways to keep the whole family entertained this summer for free:

• Join in a free summer treasure hunt organised by local artist Will Rosie. He will be inviting local residents to hunt down small hand painted tiles he’s named squojis by following clues on social media. Simply check out Will Rosie's Facebook and his Instagram accounts to join in the fun. Will has previously organised treasure hunts in Lordshill, Millbrook, Sholing, Thornhill and St Mary’s, and has created lots of community artwork and mosaics in estates across the city
• Make a splash at the nature play and water park area on Southampton Common which includes zip wires and a climbing tower
• Visit the Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre at Southampton Common to discover more about Southampton's abundant wildlife
• Soak up some culture at Southampton Art Gallery
• Join the city’s free Junior Neighbourhood Warden scheme to get involved in lots of fun community activities, projects and events
• Find out about the range of fun, free activities on offer at your local library and sign up to the Summer Reading Challenge
• It’s not free, but the Tudor House and Garden Summer Fete on Saturday 30 July will only cost you £2.50 to enter. The event takes place between 10am and 5pm and will include fun activities including face painting, archery and wand making workshops

And finally, don’t forget to enter our competition this month to win a three-month membership at a local Active Nation leisure centre, or make use of the 30% discount on all activities at Southampton Water Activities Centre during the month of July.

For more ideas about fun things to do this summer check out Visit Southampton.