Holiday Activities and Food Programme
The Council has teamed up with a number of schools, sports activity providers and community organisations to offer free activities and a meal as part of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. Places are limited, so contact the providers and book early. Please discuss any SEND needs with each provider.
The scheme is free for those eligible for free school meals. If you have not registered for free school meals and think you may be eligible, call: 020 8820 7000; or email: PupilBenefits@hackney.gov.uk. For a full list of providers, visit this website.
Adventure Playgrounds
Our adventure playgrounds offer fun-filled, self-directed, freely chosen play including an exciting array of activities – from den building, fire preparation, outdoor cooking, scavenger hunts, water play, film making, orienteering, arts and crafts, gardening and more.
Please note that you must register in advance before attending our playgrounds. Call or email to learn more.
Hackney Marsh Adventure Playground
Mon-Fri, 27 July-28 Aug, 10-5pm
Free. Age: 6-15 (18 with SEND)
Book in advance via email or calling.
Free food as part of the HAF programme.
Daubeney Fields, Kingsmead Way, London E9 5PP.
Info: HackneyMarshAP@hackney.gov.uk, or call 020 8986 7245
SEND-friendly.
Shoreditch Adventure Playground
Mon-Fri, 20 July-28 Aug, 10-5pm
Free. Age: 6-15 (18 with SEND)
Book in advance via email or calling.
Free food as part of the HAF programme.
Info: ShoreditchAP@hackney.gov.uk, or call 02077293770
SEND-friendly.
Shakespeare Adventure Playground
Drop-in sessions.
Contact Shakespeare Adventure Playground for exact dates/timings.
Ages: 6-16 year olds
Free food as part of the HAF programme.
69 Shakespeare Walk, N16 8TB
Info: https://www.swapa.org.uk/; call 02079168597
Young Hackney Youth Hubs
All activities are free and inclusive for young people aged 8-19 (up to 25 with special educational needs and/or disabilities [SEND]) at our youth hubs.
Contact each hub for further details of their summer programme, or sign up to our newsletter at https://hackney.gov.uk/newsletters to get the latest updates on our youth hubs.
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Forest Road
Mon-Fri, 27 July-28 Aug, 11-3pm (8-13 year olds); 4-8pm (13-19 year olds)
Free. Age: 10-13; 13-19 (25 with SEND)
Free food as part of the HAF programme.
29 Forest Road, E8 3BY.
Info: jamie.cutler@hackney.gov.uk, or call 020 8356 2200.
SEND-friendly.
The Edge
Mon-Fri, 27 July-28 Aug, 11-3pm (8-13 year olds); 4-8pm (13-19 year olds)
Free. Age: 10-13; 13-19 (25 with SEND)
Free food as part of the HAF programme.
Woodberry Down, London N4 1SN.
Info: sarah.fox@hackney.gov.uk , or call 020 8356 1063
SEND-friendly.
Free and low-cost activities across the borough (up to 19 years old)
Leaside
Enjoy weekly themed outdoor activities and watersports at its summer holiday activity club
Mon-Fri, 20 July-28 Aug, 10am–3.30pm
Free if you’re eligible for free school meals. Ages: 8–18 (25 with SEND)
Register in advance here or here if you receive free school meals.
Leaside, Spring Lane, Hackney E5 9HQ
Info: info@leaside.org.uk , or call 02088066887
H.O.P.E (Incorporating Gascoyne & Morningside Youth Clubs)
Cooking, music/podcasting, games, sports & more.
Every weekday excl. Wed, 23 July – 29 August, 12.30 – 7.30pm
Free. Age: 5-19 (25 with SEND)
Free food as part of the HAF programme.
Morningside Community Centre, Cresset Road, E9 6SJ & Gascoyne Community Centre, Gascoyne Road, E9 7FA
Info: www.hopeatmorningside.org
SEND-friendly.
The Outrunners
Free & fun movement activities – plus food, activities and games!
Mon-Fri, 20 Jul – 20 Aug, 11am–6.00pm
Free. 8–11
Free food as part of the HAF programme.
Email to register in advance
Unit D.1.04 Echo Building, Hackney Bridge, London, E15 2SJ
Info: sangeeta@theoutrunners.co.uk , or call 07562517308
Hackney Shed
Create an original cabaret performance at this SEND-focused programme.
Tues-Fri, 28–31 July, 11–5pm
Free food as part of the HAF programme. Age: 15–25
Register in advance here
Different venues across Hackney
Info: julia@hackneyshed.org.uk, or call 07543158366
Immediate Theatre
Calling all young performers – be part of this theatre-making project! (Breakout)
Mon-Fri, 20–24 July, 10.30am–4.30pm
Free. Age: 5–12
Free food as part of the Holiday and Activities programme.
Email to book in advance.
Info: charmain@immediate-theatre.com , or call 07525892953
Create and perform your own play as part of this two week programme (Exposure)
Mon-Fri, 3- 7 & 10- 15 Aug, 10.30am–5.30pm
Free. Age: 15–19 years old (26 with SEND)
Free food as part of the Holiday and Activities programme.
Email to book in advance.
Info: charmain@immediate-theatre.com , or call 07525892953
Tropical Isles
Summer carnival activities including art, dancing, cooking, sports & more.
Mon–Thurs, 20 July – 10 Aug, 11–3pm
Free. Age: 5–18 (25 with SEND)
Free food available as part of the HAF programme.
Email to book in advance
Rose Lipman Building, Studio 8-11, 43 De Beauvoir Road, London, N1 5SF
Info: info@tropicalislescarnival.org, or call 07985154932
SEND friendly
Laburnum Boat Club
Kayaking, canoeing and stand up paddle activities
Mon–Fri, 20 July – 28 Aug, 10am–4pm
Free if you’re eligible for free school meals / £10 per day. Age: 9–18 (25 with SEND)
No need to book in advance
Free food as part of the Holiday Activities and Food programme.
Laburnum Boat Club, Laburnum Street, E2 8BH
Info: dom.hinshelwood@laburnumboatclub.com, or call 02077292915
The Mentoring Lab Community C.I.C
Orienteering races, podcasting, trips to iconic landmarks, sports plus more!
Mon-Fri, 20 Jul- 14 Aug, 1–5.00pm
Free (if eligible for free school meals). Age: 5–16 years old (18 with SEND)
Register in advance here
Various locations depending on activity (contact provider for more information)
Info: office@thementoringlab.co.uk , or call 02081588500
SEND-friendly
Peabody – Pembury Community Centre
Get involved in activities like basketball, music production, hair braiding, roller skating & more at Pembury Community Centre
Mon-Thurs, 10.30–3.30pm (contact provider for exact dates)
Free. Age: 10–19 (25 with SEND)
No need to book in advance
Free food as part of the Holiday and Activities programme.
Pembury Community Centre, 1 Atkins Square, Dalston Lane, E8 1FA
Info: pembury.community@peabody.org.uk , or call 07736848110
SEND-friendly.
SkyWay Charity
Youth club for 8-25 year olds.
Sports day with Hackney Quest
Tues, 18 Aug, 11.30–4pm
Free. Age: 9-15
Email to book in advance
Free food as part of the Holiday and Activities programme.
Blue Hut Youth Club, 49 Provost Street, N1 7NZ
Info: info@skyway.london , or call 02077296970
Learn how to lift weights and more at this gym session
Tues, 25 August, (Times are TBC; contact provider ahead of booking)
Free. Age: Check with provider
Email to book in advance.
Free food as part of the Holiday and Activities programme.
Blue Hut Youth Club, 49 Provost Street, N1 7NZ
Info: info@skyway.london or call 02077296970
Pinata workshop – girls only session
Fri, 3 Aug, 12–3pm
Free. Age: 9-15
Email to register in advance
Free food as part of the Holiday and Activities programme.
Blue Hut Youth Club, 49 Provost Street, N1 7NZ
Info:info@skyway.london , or call 02077296970
CV workshop
Thurs, 6 Aug, (Times are TBC; contact provider ahead of booking)
Free. Age: 16+ (up to 25 with SEND)
Email to register in advance
Free food as part of the Holiday and Activities programme.
Shoreditch Library, 80 Hoxton St, London N1 6LP
Info: info@skyway.london , or call 02077296970
Sports day with Hackney Quest
Sat, 18 Aug, 11.30–4pm
Free. Age: 9–15
Email to register in advance
Free food as part of the Holiday and Activities programme.
Blue Hut Youth Club, 49 Provost Street, N1 7NZ
Info:info@skyway.london , or call 02077296970
Free football tournament and BBQ (Teenage Kicks)
Fri, 21 Aug, 11.30-4.30pm
Free. Age: 9–14
Email to register in advance
Free food as part of the Holiday and Activities programme.
Blue Hut Youth Club, 49 Provost Street, N1 7NZ
Info:info@skyway.london , or call 02077296970
Theatre trip to see Hamilton
Tues, 4 Aug, (Times are TBC; contact provider ahead of booking)
Free. Age: 9-15
Email to register in advance
Free food as part of the Holiday and Activities programme.
Blue Hut Youth Club, 49 Provost Street, N1 7NZ
Info:info@skyway.london , or call 02077296970
Thorpe Park
Mon, 24 Aug, (Times are TBC; contact provider ahead of booking)
Free.
Email to register in advance
Free food as part of the Holiday and Activities programme.
Blue Hut Youth Club, 49 Provost Street, N1 7NZ
Info:info@skyway.london , or call 02077296970
Trip to Shoreditch Park
Wed, 26 Aug, (Times are TBC; contact provider ahead of booking)
Free. Ages: 9-15 years old
Email to register in advance
Free food as part of the Holiday Activities and Food programme.
Blue Hut Youth Club, 49 Provost Street, N1 7NZ
Info:info@skyway.london , or call 02077296970
Day trips
Thurs, 6 Aug, (Times are TBC; contact provider ahead of booking)
Free. Age: 6–8
Email to register in advance
Free food as part of the Holiday Activities and Food programme.
Blue Hut Youth Club, 49 Provost Street, N1 7NZ
Info:info@skyway.london , or call 02077296970
Arts and crafts activities
Tues, 25 Aug, 1pm–3pm
Free. Ages: 6–8
Email to register in advance
Free food as part of the Holiday Activities and Food programme.
Blue Hut Youth Club, 49 Provost Street, N1 7NZ
Info:info@skyway.london , or call 02077296970
Trip to the park
Wed, 19 Aug, (Times are TBC; contact provider ahead of booking)
Free. Ages: 6–8 years old
Email to register in advance
Free food as part of the Holiday Activities and Food programme.
Blue Hut Youth Club, 49 Provost Street, N1 7NZ
Info:info@skyway.london , or call 02077296970
Access to Sports
This summer, Access to Sports is offering an exciting, free holiday programme for young people across Hackney. Activities include football, basketball, cricket, tag archery, athletics, baseball, tennis, fitness, roller skating, cycling, skateboarding, multi-sports & more. A free nutritious lunch is available to those eligible for free school meals under the Holiday and Activities programme with Access to Sports.
View its programme here.