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, or to if you wish to join our mailing list to receive regular email updates, or you have any questions or to register interest, please email active.communities@southandvale.gov.uk 

The activities are usually very popular so, where required, we would encourage you to book early to avoid disappointment.  See below for details of our next programme of holiday activities and how to book. 

Summer 2024

Unless stated otherwise, all activities are free and are aimed at preschool and primary aged children to do with their parent/guardians or grandparents.

What’s on, where and when:

Below are the events we have confirmed so far for the upcoming holiday period – check back shortly for more activities or visit our Facebook page for more information on upcoming events and activities.

Under each category, you’ll find when and where the activities take place along with the links you’ll need to make a booking.

Xplorer navigation challenge

A fun navigation challenge, it’s educational and gives children a sense of adventure as they explore the park to find the markers.

• Thursday 8 August – 10am-midday, Recreation Ground, Shrivenham, SN6 8BL
• Tuesday 13 August – 10am-midday, Ladygrove Park, Didcot, OX11 7GA
• Wednesday 14 August – 10am-midday, Southern Town Park, Abingdon, OX14 5TJ
• Thursday 15 August – 10am-midday, Recreation Ground, Cholsey, OX10 9LP
• Tuesday 20 August – 10am-midday, Edmonds Park, Didcot, OX11 8RF
• Wednesday 21 August – 10am-midday, Whites Field, Chinnor, OX39 4RF
• Wednesday 21 August – 10am-midday, Millennium Green, Kingston Bagpuize, OX13 5FZ

**Please note – registration for all Xplorer events closes at 11.30am**

Click here to book an Xplorer event

Girls’ Football

A fun way for girls aged 5 to 11 to get involved with football, make new friends and have fun!

Non-competitive football for girls who want to give it a go for the very first time or want to play with other girls their own age. With our FA qualified coach and volunteers.

• Abingdon, White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre – OX14 3PJ:
  • Thursday 1 August – 10am-11am
  • Thursday 8 August – 10am-11am
  • Thursday 15 August – 10am-11am

• Faringdon Leisure Centre – SN7 7LB:
  • Monday 29 July – 10am-11am
  • Monday 5 August – 10am-11am
  • Monday 12 August – 10am-11am

• Wantage Leisure Centre – OX12 9BY:
  • Monday 29 July – midday-1pm
  • Monday 5 August – midday-1pm
  • Monday 12 August – midday-1pm

Click here to book Girls Football sessions

Dance – part of Didcot Garden Party

Come along and learn new moves like the cross step; helicopter followed by a short routine. The routine will change each session. The class will have a street commercial base with elements from ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary.

There are two sessions each day – 2pm-3pm for ages 4 to 7 and 3pm-4pm for ages 8 to 12.

• Thursday 1 August – Ladygrove Room, Didcot Civic Hall, OX11 7JN ** PLEASE NOTE THE 8-12 YEARS SESSION IS NOW FULLY BOOKED **
• Thursday 8 August – Southern Community Centre, Didcot, OX11 6HQ
• Wednesday 14 August – Southern Community Centre, Didcot, OX11 6HQ
• Thursday 29 August – Main Hall, Didcot Civic Hall, OX11 7JN

Please note there is a maximum of 20 children per session.

Click here to book dance sessions.

Wimbledon Pickleball

Tennis season is here, all ages welcome, come and join us for some pickleball, an introduction to tennis.

• Tuesday 30 July – 10am-midday White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre, OX14 3PJ – ** PLEASE NOTE THIS SESSION IS NOW FULLY BOOKED **
• Tuesday 6 August, Wimbledon Pickleball,10am–midday, Faringdon Leisure Centre, SN7 7LB
• Tuesday 13 August – 1pm-3pm Wantage Tennis Club, Memorial Park, Manor Rd, Wantage OX12 8DW

Click here to book Wimbledon Pickleball

Fun Days

Fun for the whole family to enjoy together, come along and join in with activities and games.  Activities and games may include tag games, cricket, Danish longball, lawn games and more. You can book in advance or turn up on the day.

• Friday 26 July – 10am-midday, Aston Pavilion and Recreation Ground, Chalk Hill, Aston Tirrold, OX11 9DN
• Wednesday 31 July – 1.30pm-3.30pm, Woodcote Village Green, Reading Road, Reading, RG8 0QY
• Monday 5 August, Memorial Park, Reade’s Ln, Sonning Common, Reading RG4 9SH 10am-midday
• Friday 9 August – 10am-midday, Cholsey Recreation Ground, Cholsey, OX10 9LP
• Friday 23 August – 10am-midday, Whites Field, Mill Lane, Chinnor OX39 4QU
• Tuesday 27 August – Bull Croft Park, High Street, Wallingford, OX10 0BX, 10am-midday
• Friday 30 August – Chalgrove Recreation Ground, Baronshurst Dr, Chalgrove, OX44 7TE 10am-midday,
• Friday 30 August – Watlington MUGA, Watlington Recreation Ground,  Watlington, OX49 5BZ  1.30pm – 3.30pm

Click here to book a Fun Day

Born to Move – Fun fitness sessions

Come along and join in fun, fitness classes for children.
Fun sessions for young children to explore and move to the beat.
For older children – age-appropriate fitness, with punch, kick, dance tracks and games.

There will be 4 sessions for ages 3-18:
Ages 3-5 – 9.45am-10.15am
Ages 6-8 – 10.30am – 11am
Ages 9-12 -11.15am – 11.45am
Ages 13-18 -Midday-12.30pm

• Monday 29 July – Unit 24 Bury Street, Abingdon, OX14 3QY
• Tuesday 30 July – Dance Studio, Park Sports Centre, Holton, Oxford OX33 1QZ
• Wednesday 7 August – Studio 1, Didcot Leisure Centre, Mereland Road, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 8AY
• Monday 12 August – Unit 24 Bury Street, Abingdon, OX14 3QY
• Wednesday 28 August – Sports Hall, Henley Leisure Centre, Gillott’s Ln, Henley-on-Thames RG9 1PA

There will be 3 sessions for ages 3-12:
Age 3-5 -1.45pm – 2.15pm
Age 6-8 – 2.15pm – 3pm
Age 9-12 – 3pm – 3.45pm

Friday 23 August – Sports Hall, Thame Leisure Centre, Oxford Rd, Thame OX9 2BB

Please note there is a maximum of 20 children per session.

Click here to book Born to Move sessions.

Multi-sports sessions

Come along and join in a variety of different activities including ball, tag games and more.

• Wednesday 7 August, 2-3.30pm, Fogwell Recreation Ground, Botley, OX2 9SA
• Thursday 15 August – Laurence Hall, Church Rd, Cholsey, Wallingford OX10 9PS
  • 1.30pm – 2.30pm Age 4-8
  • 2.30pm – 3.30pm Age 9-12

• Wednesday 21 August – MUGA, Abbey Sports Centre, Green Furlong, Berinsfield, Wallingford OX10 7NR
  • 1.45pm – 2.15pm Age 3-5
  • 2.15pm – 3pm Age 6-8
  • 3pm – 3.45pm Age 9-12

Click here to book a multi-sport session.

Cricket and Rounders

A fun session for the whole family to join in and play cricket and rounders.

Wednesday 31 July – Crowmarsh Recreation Ground, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford OX10 8FN

• Cricket – 10am-11am
• Rounders -11am-midday

Click here to book cricket or rounders.

Oxfordshire Play Association Play Days

Free entry and with free stalls and activities for the children and young people of all ages and their families; organised by the Oxfordshire Play Association. All events take place 11am to 3pm.

• Saturday 22 June, Edmonds Park, Didcot, OX11 8AQ
• Saturday 29 June, Sunnyside, Benson, OX10 6LZ
• Saturday 6 July, Southern Town Park, Lambrick Way, Abingdon, OX14 5TJ    
• Saturday 13 July, Wheatley Playing Field, OX33 1QG
• Friday 2 August, Faringdon Town FC, Tucker Park, Park Road, Faringdon, SN7 7BP
• Tuesday 6 August, Berinsfield Pavilion Playing Fields, OX10 7NF
• Tuesday 13 August, Freemans Meadow, Henley, RG9 2EU

For more information go to the Oxfordshire Play Association’s website.

Litter Bug Detective Trails – from 19 July to 11 August

Follow the trails and answer the questions about waste and recycling – you could be in with the chance of winning a great prize!  To find out more, visit our Litter Bug Detective Trails page

‘The Summer of Skate’ – from 29 July to 29 August

Calling all young thrill-seekers, board riders, and scooter enthusiasts! Get ready for an epic summer with ‘The Summer of Skate’—your ticket to high-flying tricks, awesome vibes, and unforgettable memories.

Taking place at skate parks across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse from 29 July to 29 August, come along and enjoy competitions, games, prizes and music! No need to book—just show up and shred!

To find out when ‘Summer of Skate’ events are taking place near you, visit our ‘Summer of Skate’ page.

Didcot Garden Party – from 27 July to 31 August

Didcot Garden Party has a range of activities and events, including:

• Fusion Fest – a celebration of global cultures with music, performance and food
• Quentin Blake’s Mrs Armitage on Wheels – an interactive and energetic family show on the joys of getting outside
• Communities Come Together Day – find out about local groups and organisations
• Special Foodie Event – demonstrations on how to save money and free activities for young kids

To find out more about what’s on and when, visit our Didcot Garden Party information page.

Activities for all residents

Our Active Communities Team work across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse to help residents with their physical health and wellbeing. They run 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.

And do follow the Red Kite Days who help to spread the news of our great range of activities and shows for young people this May.

Better Leisure Centres

The Better Leisure Centres across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse, managed on behalf of the district councils by GLL, have a range of family activities to get involved with over the Summer holidays. Activities include family fun swims, roller skating, badminton and more. Details about what’s available at each centre can be found on the Better UK website and the leisure centre Facebook pages.