Free kids summer activities in Maidenhead
The summer holidays have begun, and it’s a time to find ways to entertain the kids when they are off school. It’s good to get them out of the house, but it can become costly.
We are all finding ways to stay local and spend less. And if you live in Maidenhead, we have found a few things to do that are completely free for kids to lower the cost.
Summer Treasure Hunt at Norden Farm
This summer, Norden Farm have a free beach themed treasure hunt around the building. Children follow the clues to complete the Micheal Rosen poem Over My Toes. This tactile treasure hunt is also suitable for children with visual impairments. Scan the QR code to listen to the poem, and create some drawings and poems afterwards.
RBWM Libraries
The RBWM Libraries have many free events taking place over the summer holidays. These include workshops and craft activities at the Maidenhead Libraries, Windsor, Ascot and Cookham. Take a look at the free events on eventbrite.
There are also story time sessions each week at the RBWM libraries and Rhyme Time every other Saturday at the Maidenhead Library.
Teens Swim Free
The Braywick and Windsor Leisure Centres are offering teenagers aged 13 – 17 years one hour free swim session throughout the summer, until 2nd September. No need to book, just turn up. Braywick is weekdays between 11am – 12pm. Windsor is weekdays between 12:15pm – 1:15pm and also between 7pm – 8pm on Tuesday evenings.
Kids Eat Free
During the summer, certain places are offering a free kids meal. Children can eat free at the Marks and Spencers cafe if an adult purchases a meal for £5 or over. Valid until August 12th. And Dobbies Garden Centres (our nearest is Hare Hatch) are offering a free kids lunch or pick n’ mix meal when purchasing an adult meal.
Summer with Explore Learning Maidenhead
Explore Learning Maidenhead is situated next to the main Sainsburys in Maidenhead at Providence Place (above the old cafe). This summer they are putting on some free workshops to make Maths and English tuition fun.
- Saturday 13th August – Free Maths and English workshops. 11am – 12pm (7-9 years old). 2:45pm – 3:45pm (11-14 years old). At the Explore Learning centre in Maidenhead
- Wednesday 17th August – Free Summer Reading challenge workshop. 12:30pm – 2pm (4-16 years old). At the Maidenhead Library
- Friday 19th August – Free 11 plus taster class. 2pm – 3:30pm (those going into year 4). 3:30pm – 5pm (those going into year 5). At the Explore Learning centre, Maidenhead
- Saturday 20th August – Free Maths and English workshops. 12pm – 1pm (5-7 years old). 1:45pm – 2:45pm (9-11 years old). 3pm – 4pm (4-6 years old). At the Explore Learning centre, Maidenhead
- Saturday 27th August – Free Craft event in the Nicholsons shopping centre. 11am – 4pm (4-16 years old)
Free Junior Workshops at Discovery Three
Discovery at Three is based at 76-78 high street in Maidenhead (next to the Three store) and they are offering free junior workshops (from aged 5 upwards) throughout August – as well as in the other half terms and holidays.
If you would like book your child onto a session, send an email with the name of the workshop, your child’s name, parent name, contact number and email address to: discovery.maidenhead@three.co.uk
- Tuesday 2nd August, 2:30pm – 4pm – Block Coding workshop using Hopscotch
- Thursday 4th August, 10am – 11:30am – Digital Music Making workshop
- Wednesday 10th August, 10am – 11:30am – Flipbook Animation workshop using the free Flip-a-Clipp app
- Wednesday 10th August, 12pm – 1:30pm – Movie Making workshop
- Wednesday 10th August, 2:30pm – 4pm – Animated Adverts workshop using the Apple Clips app
- Tuesday 16th August, 10am – 11:30am – Stop Motion Animation
- Tuesday 16th August, 12pm – 1:30pm – Digital Cartoon Making
- Thursday 18th August, 10am – 11:30am – Vlogging and Video Editing
- Thursday 18th August, 12pm – 1:30pm – Block Coding
- Thursday 1st September, 2:30pm – 4pm – Digital Music Making
Moss End Garden Centre
For a free way to keep the kids amused (although slightly outside of Maidenhead) is to visit the animals at Moss End Garden Centre. They can take a look at the colourful marine fish and corals at ReefKeeper, and there is also an outside area with ponds. There is also The Jungle Reptiles which has various species of reptiles. Feathers and Fur are also based at Moss End, but they are not yet open to the public.
Cliveden National Trust
If you are a NT member, then there’s plenty to do at Cliveden. There are plenty of woodland walks, the giant maze, adventure playground, and if you head down the steps toward the river, you can enjoy a picnic. Keep an eye on their website for children’s activities and trails.
Norden Farm Kite Festival
The Norden Farm Kite Festival takes place every year on Punt Hill, Boyn Grove Park (off the Bath Road and Courthouse Road). This year it will be on Sunday 4th September between 12pm – 4pm.
It’s free to go along – and you can take your kite to fly on the hill. You can enjoy the live music and entertainment.
There will be vendors selling food and drinks, but you can take your own picnic along.
Maidenhead Waterways and Library Square
If you head into town you can head over to Library Square (by the Maidenhead Library) where there are colour change fountains. These are particularly refreshing on a hot day (although they are primarily a water feature and not an official splash pad). But if the kids do end up splashing in them, remember to take a change of clothes!
You can also walk along the Waterways towards Stafferton Way and you will reach the Nature Reserve.
Ray Mill Island
Ray Mill Island is always a nice place to take the kids. It’s free to visit the guinea pigs and birds, take a walk along the river, watch the boats go through the lock and have a picnic.
Parks
There are plenty of parks to go to in Maidenhead, and it’s a free day out. Take a picnic, a ball or kite on a nice day. Walk, ride or scooter there – and if you head to our post all about the best play parks to visit in Maidenhead there are more details.
Keep a close eye on the Make Maidenhead Facebook Page and our What’s Happening in Maidenhead page for more events.
Related Post: Half Term Ideas In Maidenhead
