While it’s a wonderful time to make memories during the summer holidays, keeping children entertained on a daily basis, without breaking the bank can feel like a full time job. If you’re worried about the increasing cost of food or finding fun, affordable activities to keep your children occupied during this summer, support is available.
We’ve put together some of the best free activities and kids meal deal offers happening across the Liverpool region that you can enjoy without overstretching your finances.
Beach Fest at Liverpool ONE
Head over to Chavasse Park to experience beach vibes in the heart of Liverpool alongside building sandcastles and enjoying classic seaside rides and carnival games.
Dates: Saturday 18th July – Monday 31st August 2026
Location: Chavasse Park, Liverpool ONE
Cost: Free beach access but rides and games require tokens (starting from £10 for 10 tokens)
Dino Takeover at World Museum
Get your kids ready to experience a roarsome day out as life-like giant dinosaur puppets take over the World Museum during free shows along with trying their hands on Squish-a-Saurus craft workshops.
Dates: Shows on Wednesdays and Thursdays and workshops on Thursdays only, Wednesday 22nd July – Thursday 27th August 2026
Timings: Shows and workshops run between 10am and 3:30pm
Location: World Museum, William Brown Street, Liverpool, L3 8EN
Cost: Free
Bluecoat Summer Family Weekend
Head over to The Bluecoat for children to enjoy some contemporary arts for two days packed with creative hands-on fun including badge making, block printing, textile crafts, and creating handmade journals.
Dates: Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th August 2026
Timings: 1pm – 4pm
Location: The Bluecoat, School Lane, Liverpool
Cost: Free (No booking required)
“Read to the Beat!” Summer Reading Challenge
Liverpool’s public libraries are bringing music and books together for this year’s national Summer Reading Challenge. Encourage your children to explore a curated list of books inspired by rhythm and music from around the globe and collect rewards along the way.
Dates: Runs till August
Location: All Liverpool public libraries – visit your local library to sign up
Cost: Free
Active Sefton: Park Nights
Active Sefton Park Nights are ideal for children to spend their summer evenings outdoors and enjoy drop-in activities such as archery, crazy golf, “Beat the Goalie”, cornhole, and so much more.
Dates: Every weekday, Monday 6th July – Friday 28th August 2026
Timings: 5pm – 7pm
Location:
Mondays: Lonsdale, Litherland & Derby Park (Bootle)
Tuesdays: Potters Barn (Seaforth) & Abbeyfield Park (Netherton)
Wednesdays: Canning Road (Southport) & Rimrose Valley
Thursdays: Duke Street (Formby) & King George V (Maghull)
Fridays: Killen Green (Netherton) & Bedford Park (Birkdale)
Cost: Free
Rice Lane City Farm
Head down to Liverpool’s family favourite urban farm and enjoy a fun day out full of furry farm animals, stalls, food, fairground rides and so much more.
Date: Saturday 29th August, 2026
Timings: 11am – 4pm
Location: Rawcliffe Road, Walton, Liverpool, L9 1AW
Cost: Free entry
Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF)
Starting from Wednesday 22nd July 2026, Liverpool City Council is running free summer activity sessions including meals for children from Reception age to 16 who receive benefits related to free school meals. The programme includes a wide range of free activities including day trips, Lego building, rock climbing, cooking, racket sports, sewing, painting, cycling, gymnastics, football, gardening, and so much more.
For more info and to book an activity, visit here.
HAF Family Activity Days
This summer, enjoy a fun family day full of giant inflatables, mini train, mini golf, dancing, singing, food, go karts and much more.
Timings: 1pm – 3pm
When:
Wednesday 5th August: Princes Park
Wednesday 12th August: Rice Lane City Farm
Wednesday 19th August: Garston Park
Dining out offers for kids
Skip cooking and save on the bill! To help you stay within your budget this summer, here are some of the best deals where children can eat for free or at a significant discount:
Beefeater
Up to two children under 16 eat free breakfasts per adult purchase until Tuesday 1st September 2026.
Smoke & Dough
Children aged 10 and under eat free all summer when an adult purchases from the Unlimited Grill or Bottomless Brunch menus.
Hanover Street Social
Kids can enjoy a complimentary main, dessert and drink when an accompanying adult orders from the a la carte or set menus. Offer runs from 1st July till 1st September 2026.
Flaming Grill
Kids meals including a main, drink and dessert reduced from £1 to just 88p this summer. Offer valid on weekdays only from 20th July till 28th August 2026.
Hungry Horse
Kids get a meal deal for 88p with an adult purchase of a main. Offer valid on weekdays from 20th July till 28th August 2026.
Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen
Kids aged 10 and under can enjoy a Kids main per adult ordering at least two courses from the à la carte menu (must include a main). Offer valid everyday or weekdays only based on location.
Banana Tree
Kids can enjoy a free meal with an adult main purchase this summer. Offer valid everyday from 20th July till 1st September 2026.