Bristol Summer Holiday Clubs and Camps 2026: A Working Parent’s Guide
Seven weeks. That’s what we’re looking at. Seven weeks of school holidays, roughly five of which most of us need to be at work for. If you’ve done the maths and felt a quiet wave of panic, welcome, you’re in the right place.
The summer holidays are brilliant in theory. In practice, they’re long, expensive, and require the kind of logistical planning that would make an events manager weep. So I’ve pulled together a round-up of the holiday clubs and camps running across Bristol this summer; the ones that will keep your kids entertained, active, and safe while you crack on with work. Or at least sit in a meeting without someone asking for a snack every four minutes.
Most Bristol state schools break up on Friday 17th July 2026, with kids back on Thursday 3 or Monday 7th September. That’s roughly six and a half weeks to fill. Some academies and trusts set their own dates, so double-check with your school — a few break up earlier in July.
Here’s what’s out there.
Outdoor and Adventure Camps
Mojo Active Almondsbury, BS32 4DF | Ages 7–14
If your kids like being outside, getting muddy, and coming home so tired they actually go to bed without a fight, Mojo is worth a look. They’re based on 80 acres of private fields and woodland near Cribbs Causeway and run a different programme every day — think high ropes, archery, den building, kayaking, assault courses, and mountain biking. They also do special days including surfing trips to Saunton Sands and Ninja Warrior visits. It’s Ofsted registered, all instructors are DBS checked and first aid trained, and they offer SEND support with advance notice.
Standard day is 9am–4pm at £40/day, with extended hours available from 8am–6pm for an additional cost. There’s a sibling discount of £5 off the second child, and they accept childcare vouchers. They also run a minibus service from Café on the Downs and Bristol Grammar School, which is genuinely helpful if you’re in the city centre.
mojoactive.co.uk
The Outdoors Project Multiple sites across Bristol including Horfield Common (BS6), Sefton Park (BS7), and others | Ages 5–12
Outdoor play in local parks, woods, and green spaces — den building, fire lighting, nature trails, team games. It’s the kind of unstructured, screen-free time that kids don’t get enough of. Their holiday clubs run across several Bristol schools and community venues, and they’re Ofsted registered. Staff clearly love what they do — the parent reviews are consistently brilliant.
From around £37.50/day, 9am–3pm. Check their website for specific site dates and availability as some fill up quickly.
theoutdoorsproject.co.uk/bristol
Little Foxes Forest School Westbury Wildlife Park, Westbury-on-Trym | Ages 5–11
A proper forest school experience — days spent climbing trees, exploring Baddock’s Wood, cooking on the fire, and getting thoroughly grubby. They run Monday to Thursday across three weeks of the summer holidays. Sessions are 9am–3pm. It’s a smaller, more intimate set-up than some of the bigger camps, which suits kids who might find large groups overwhelming.
Worth booking early — they tend to fill up fast.
littlefoxesforestschool.com
Multi-Sport and Activity Camps
Bristol Sport Foundation Holiday Camps Multiple locations across Greater Bristol
Run by the foundation behind Bristol City, Bristol Bears, and Bristol Flyers, these camps offer multi-sport sessions, NERF days, gymnastics and dance, forest school, and basketball camps. The coaches are experienced and the facilities are good. It’s a solid, affordable option if your kids are sporty or just need to burn off energy.
Check their website for specific locations, dates, and pricing as these vary by venue.
bristol-sport.co.uk/bristol-sport-foundation/holiday-camps
Kings Camps Redmaids’ High School, Westbury-on-Trym
A national provider with a strong local presence. Their Multi Active programme runs all week with over 30 activities, and you can book flexibly — three days, four days, or the full week. Hours are 8.15am–5.30pm, which is genuinely useful for a full working day. All staff are DBS checked, and they’re rated 4.8/5 on Feefo.
They also run a Rookie Academy for younger children and offer subsidised places in some cases.
kingscamps.org
uSports and uKids Multiple locations including Clifton (Bristol Grammar School), Bedminster (Parson Street Primary), and Kingswood
uSports run multi-sport and football camps, while uKids offer broader multi-activity days. The Bristol Grammar School site runs for Reception to Year 7, 8am–5.30pm, from £49/day. They offer sibling discounts, multi-day discounts, and accept childcare vouchers. Some camps also have free HAF-funded places for eligible children.
Summer 2026 bookings are open now.
u-kids.co.uk | u-sports.co.uk
Ultimate Activity Camps Badminton School, Westbury-on-Trym | Ages 4–14
Over 40 activities including swimming, tennis, zorbing, arts and crafts, and team games. The school has fantastic facilities and walled grounds. They’re Ofsted registered, and the age range starting at four makes this one of the few options for Reception-age children.
ultimateactivity.co.uk
Hotshots Active UWE Bristol Centre for Sport | Ages 8–13
Run by UWE, these Ofsted-registered camps combine sport and play into a full-day programme. Activities include football, basketball, badminton, dodgeball, and more. At £25/day it’s one of the more affordable options, though the age range starts a bit higher at eight.
uwe.ac.uk
Creative, Drama, and Arts Camps
Unique Voice Creative Holiday Clubs Summerhill Academy and other Bristol locations | Reception to Year 6
Drama-based activities in a non-competitive, inclusive environment. Think wellbeing workshops, creative arts, storytelling, outdoor play, and performance skills — with no pressure to actually perform if that’s not your child’s thing. They focus on confidence-building and self-esteem, which is lovely. Healthy snacks provided, packed lunch needed.
From £37.50/day with a wrap-around care option for an extra £10.
uniquevoice.org/holidayclubs
acta Bristol — Summer Holiday Drama Club acta Theatre, South Bristol | Ages 8–16
Four-day workshops where kids create their own original theatre show from scratch — improvisation, drama games, prop and costume making — then perform it for family and friends on the final afternoon. It’s properly creative and collaborative. They’ve been doing this for over 40 years, so they know what they’re doing.
Running three separate weeks across the summer for different age groups.
acta-bristol.com
Drama with Hannah-Rose Various Bristol locations | Ages 5–10
One-day drama and craft workshops plus a Young Performers Club for ages 5–8 and 8–10. Each session has a different theme, and the reviews from parents are genuinely glowing — particularly for shy children who’ve found their confidence. They offer bulk booking discounts across the year (5% off three workshops, 10% off five, 15% off seven).
dramawithhannah-rose.com
Goldfinch Create and Play Westbury-on-Trym | Ages 4–15
Full-day creative art sessions covering collage, printmaking, jewellery making, sewing, and more. A good option for kids who’d rather make something than kick a ball.
goldfinchcreateandplay.co.uk
Bishop Road Holiday Club Bishop Road Primary School, Bishopston, BS7 | Ages 4–11
A well-established Ofsted-registered club offering a huge mix — arts and crafts, cooking, slime making, den building, allotment gardening, dance, sports, yoga, circus skills, puppet making, science shows, and trips to the park. It’s one of those clubs that tries to do a bit of everything, and from the reviews, does it well. From £35/day, 8am–6pm.
School’s Out Henleaze Henleaze, BS9
Themed weeks with a mix of creative and sports activities — drama workshops, indoor Olympics, jewellery making, and more. Each week is different. A relaxed, friendly set-up that kids come back to year after year.
schoolsouthenleaze.co.uk
Clifton College Holiday Club Clifton College, Bristol
Separate settings for Minis (Reception), Juniors (Years 1–3), and Seniors (Years 4+), each tailored to the age group. Activities include sports, arts and crafts, drama, dance, swimming, and free play. The facilities are excellent and the age-appropriate groupings are a nice touch.
ccsl-cliftoncollege.com
Free and Funded Options
Your Holiday Hub Bristol (HAF Programme) Various locations city-wide | Ages 5–16
This is the big one if your child receives benefits-related free school meals. The Holiday Activities and Food programme, funded by the Department for Education and delivered through Bristol City Council, provides fully funded holiday club places including a nutritious meal. Over 100 different organisations across Bristol deliver activities through the programme — from sports and arts to cooking and outdoor adventures.
Search their website to find sessions by location, age, and activity type. If you’re not sure whether your child is eligible, ask their school.
yourholidayhubbristol.co.uk
Young Bristol Holiday Clubs Pooles Wharf Activity Centre, Sea Mills, and community venues across Bristol | Ages 8–19
Their community youth clubs run free holiday sessions funded through the Your Holiday Hub programme, with a focus on young people who receive free school meals. A free hot meal is provided. They also run paid outdoor activity half-day and full-day clubs at Pooles Wharf for ages 8–16.
youngbristol.com/holiday-clubs
A Few Practical Notes
Book early. The most popular camps — particularly the outdoor and forest school ones — sell out weeks in advance. If you know which weeks you need covered, don’t wait.
Check the hours. Some clubs run 9am–3pm, which is fine if you work part-time or flexibly, but leaves a gap either side of a standard working day. Others run 8am–5.30pm or offer extended hours for an extra fee. Factor this in when comparing prices — a £25/day camp that finishes at 3pm might actually cost more than a £40/day camp that covers 8am–6pm once you account for the childcare gap.
Childcare vouchers and Tax-Free Childcare. Many of the Ofsted-registered camps accept childcare vouchers or Tax-Free Childcare. It’s always worth asking — it can knock a meaningful amount off the total cost.
Pack properly. Every single one of these clubs will tell you: sun cream, sun hat, water bottle, packed lunch (nut-free), and old clothes they can get messy in. Write their name on everything. Yes, everything.
Mix it up. You don’t have to book the same camp every week. A week of sports, a week of forest school, a week of drama — mixing it up keeps things interesting and means you’re not committed to one provider for the entire summer.
The HAF programme is there for a reason. If your child is eligible for free school meals, the funded places through Your Holiday Hub are brilliant and there’s no stigma attached. Use them.
The summer holidays are always a juggle. They’re expensive, they’re long, and the guilt of needing childcare while simultaneously wanting your kids to have an amazing summer is a very specific kind of parenting fun. But Bristol genuinely has some fantastic options, and the kids almost always come home happier and more tired than they would sitting in front of a screen.
If I’ve missed a club you love, send me a message — I’ll add it in.
This post doesn’t contain affiliate links. It’s just a genuinely useful round-up from one working parent to another. For my honest product recommendations, head to the Shop.
