South and Vale Holiday Activities

During most school holidays, our Active Communities team offer a range of free and low-cost activities, for young children, teenagers and families to enjoy at locations across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse.

Bookings open around a month before each holiday period – follow our new Active Communities Facebook page, you can join our mailing list to receive regular email updates, or if you have any questions; please email active.communities@southandvale.gov.uk 

The activities are usually very popular, we encourage you to book early to avoid disappointment.  See below for details of our next programme of holiday activities and how to book. Booking is required to be able to attend our activities.

What’s on, where and when:

The Active Communities team have lots of free and low-cost activities running and are attending some events over the summer holidays.  

For most activities bookings must be made in advance and tickets can be purchased online on the day if there is still space available. We are unable to take cash payments on the day and unless stated tickets must be purchased in advance to take part.

Some events are taking place outdoors and may have to be changed or cancelled due to inclement weather. Indoor activities may also be cancelled in extreme heat.

Please see each activity for the direct booking link. You can find the full list of bookable activities here.

Week 5

Saturday 22 August

• Midday – 5pm – Fun at Basildon Park. Basildon Park, Lower Basildon, Reading RG8 9NR. Join us for Boccia, fun games and more at Basildon Park included in your entry. YouMove families can get free entry by showing your cards on the day. Plan your visit to Basildon Park here.
  • Midday-1 – Boccia
  • 1-1.30pm – Early Years Born to Move (Age 2-6); movement to music session
  • 1.45-2.15 – Early Years Games (Age 2-6)
  • 2.30-3pm – Family Fun Games (Age 5+)
  • 3.15-3.45pm – Family Fun Games (Age 5+)
  • 3.45-17:30 – Open play – lots of equipment for adults and children to enjoy. 

Week 6

Monday 24 August

• **FULLY BOOKED**10am-11am –  Free Toddler Fun games and Circuit, from walking to 4 years.  Abingdon Carousel, Caldecott Chase, Abingdon, OX14 5GZ.  This session is fully booked. You can add your name to the waitlist.

• 12:30-14:30 – Free Picnic and Play activity session.  Didcot Civic Hall, Britwell Road, Didcot, OX11 7HN.  Please book: Book your space for Picnic and Play Didcot.

Tuesday 25 August

• 10am-3pm – Free Fun Day Didcot Leisure Centre, Didcot Leisure Centre, Mereland Road, Didcot, OX11 8AY.
  • Book Badminton Court
    • 10-10.30am
    • 10.30-11am
    • 11-11.30am
    • 11.30-midday
  • Book Pickleball Court
    • 10-10.30am
    • 10.30-11am
    • 11-11.30am
    • 11.30-midday
  • 10-10.30am – Book Born to Move Early Years Age 2-5
  • 10.45-11.30am – Book Family Dance Party
  • 11.45am-12.15pm – Book New Age Kurling Age 5-12
  • 12.30-1pm – Book Boccia Age 5-12
  • 1.15-2pm – Book Fun Games Age 5-8
  • 2.15-3pm – Book Fun Game Age 9-12
• Session being ran by Better Leisure – Bouncy Castle sessions
  • 30 minute Quiet SEND friendly sessions for children who need less noise and low numbers:
    • 11.30-Midday
    • Midday- 12.30pm
    • 12.30-1pm
  • 45 minute Bouncy Castle open sessions
    • 1.15-2pm
    • 2.15-3pm

Wednesday 26 August

• 10am-1pm – Free Summer of Skate, Berinsfield Skate Park. Free event turn up on the day to join in the fun
• 1.30-4pm – Mini Fun Day, Southern Community Centre, 2 Sorrel Crescent, Didcot OX11 6HQ. £2 per person, £1 with YouMove card. 20% discount when buying 3 or more tickets.
  • 1.30-2.30pm – Book craft session
  • 1.30-2pm – Book Born to Move Early Years (walking-5 years); movement to music session.
  • 2.15-3pm – Book Born to Move Age 5-12. Fun fitness session.
  • 2.45-3.45pm – Book craft session
  • 3.15-4pm – Book Born to Move Family. Fun fitness session for the whole family to do together.  
• 2pm-5pm – Free Summer of Skate, Chinnor Skate Park. Free event turn up on the day to join in the fun.

Thursday 27 August

• 12:30-2:30pm – Free Picnic and Play Abbey Meadows (park nearest Abbey House look for the Active Communities sign), Abbey Close, Abingdon, OX14 3JE. Book your space for Picnic and Play Abingdon.

Friday 28 August

• 10am-midday – Free Mini Fun Day Chinnor; Chinnor Recreation Ground, Whites Field, Rear of Mill Lane School, OX39 4RF. Book your space for Mini Fun Day Chinnor.
• 1-3pm – Free Mini Fun Day Chalgrove; Baron Hurst Drive, Chalgrove, OX44 7TE.
  • 1-1.30 – Book New Age Kurling (Age 5+)
  • 1.30-2 – Book Boccia (Age 5+)
  • 2-3pm – Book Family Dance Party

Looking ahead to October half term:

Active Leaders Course – Age 14-18

We will be running an Active Leaders Course in the October half term 26-30 October. 4 days of training to gain the Active Leaders Qualification.

Please email youmove@southandvale.gov.uk to register your interest.

The Beacon, Wantage

Keep an eye on The Beacon’s website for even more activities coming soon.  

Cornerstone Arts Centre

Keep an eye on Cornerstone’s website for even more activities coming soon. 

We offer a range of free and low-cost activities, for young children, teenagers and families to enjoy at locations across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse during term time.

To find out more, visit our Term Time Activities page.

We also work across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse to help residents with their physical health and wellbeing, running a variety of weekly activities for all ages and abilities.

To find out more and to see what activities are available near you, visit our pages on Active Communities in South Oxfordshire and Active Communities in the Vale of White Horse.