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 are running free and low-cost activities between 27 – 31 October. Please see some dates for your diary below. Booking for all of the Active Communities events are through the provider Bookwhen. Click here to book your holiday activity sessions

Monday 27 October – Thame Leisure Centre Fun Day

Working in partnership with Better Leisure to bring you a day of fun, free activities from 10am-2pm. Thame Leisure Centre, OX9 2BB

• 10-10.30am – Fun Football
• 10.30-11am – Born to Move Early Years (Age 2-5 years)
• 11-11.30am – Boccia
• 11-11.55am – Badminton
• 11.30-midday – New Age Kurling
• Midday -1.55 pm – Pickleball
• 1.15-1.45 pm – Family Dance Party
• More information and booking can be found here.

GLL have free swimming from 11-1pm but this must be booked 5 days in advance using their links below:

• Family fun swim: Click here to book from 22 October
• Swim for all (small pool): Click here to book from 22 October

Tuesday 28 October – Xplorer, Wantage

A free Fun Family Xplorer Challenge – explore the park and find the Halloween markers in this free orienteering event! For pre-school and primary aged children. 

• 10am-midday, last registration at 11.30 am
• Memorial Park, Manor Road, Wantage, OX12 8DW
• Book in advance here or turn up on the day

Wednesday 29 October – Xplorer, Didcot

• A free Fun Family Xplorer Challenge – explore the park and find the Halloween markers in this free orienteering event! For pre-school and primary aged children. 
  • 10am-midday, last registration at 11.30 am
  • Edmonds Park, Didcot, OX11 8RF
  • Book in advance here or turn up on the day

Thursday 30 October – Little Legends Football, Abingdon

• Football Fun at the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre, Abingdon, OX14 3PJ. Come along to our football sessions at the White Horse Tennis and Leisure Centre and learn some new skills and have fun.
  • 11-11.40 am – Mini Messi Fun Football (2-4 years)  
  • 11.50am -12.50pm – Brazilian Soccer Skills (5-8 years) 
  • 1-2 pm – Midfield Master (9-11 years)
  • £2 per child. More information and booking can be found here.

Discounted activities for YouMove Card holders:

Junior Coached Pickleball

Come and join our fun junior pickleball session led by our fantastic coach, Simon! During this session, Simon will focus on a key pickleball skill through games, drills, and activities, before giving everyone the chance to put it into action in match play.

• Date: Wednesday 29th October
• Time: 1:30–3:00pm
• Cost: £5 (£2.50 if you have a BETTER YouMove membership)
• Age range: 11-16 years

The session is open to all juniors, whether you’re brand new to pickleball or already play regularly. Paddles will be provided if needed, so just bring yourself, some comfy clothes, and plenty of energy!

Book here

Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October

• Make memories with the whole family at Cornerstone Arts Centre with Spot’s Birthday Party! Every ticket comes with a free party hat and meet and greet with Spot after the show. Tickets are £15, £13.50 Under 16s, Family Ticket £55.

Thursday 30 October

• Meet some of the cast of this year’s pantomime Beauty and the Beast at Cornerstone Arts Centre! This activity is free – timings TBC
• Make Your Own Halloween Hand Puppets with local in-house artist Eden! An hour of creative fun where little ones can create and grown ups don’t need to tidy up. £10 per child. More details on the Beacon website.
• PLAYTIME! A play-along theatre adventure for 2-6 year olds and their grown-ups. Come along for a fun, relaxed participatory theatre session with The Last Baguette Theatre Company. This free event is part of the Wantage Literary Festival with two sessions at 10am and 11.30am. Bookings can be made on The Beacon’s website.

Saturday 1 November

• Join much-loved children’s writer and illustrator Nick Sharratt in a family-friendly, fun-filled drawalong for all ages. Tickets are £12, £10.80 Concessions. More details on the Cornerstone website

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.