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. 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

Locations: 

• 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

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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. 

When:

• Wednesday 5th August: Princes Park
• Wednesday 12th August: Rice Lane City Farm
• Wednesday 19th August: Garston Park

Timings: 1pm – 3pm

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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.