Holiday fun for kids and teens
Looking for ways to entertain children and teens over the school holidays? There are lots of free or low-cost activities, in and around Hartford.
Take a look at our summary of what is on offer. If you know of any other activities we can add to this list, please contact us.
Funded holiday club places, for those eligible for free school meals
Cheshire West and Chester Council’s ‘Holiday Activities and Food’ programme provides enriching activities, delicious nutritious meals and a chance for young people to meet new friends in a safe and fun environment, during school holidays. The programme offers free places, for those who are eligible for free school meals. Two of the clubs are based in Hartford (at Hartford CofE High and at St Wilfrid’s) and there are others nearby. Booking is now open. See the HAF website for more information.
Financial support
Looking for help to make ends meet during the school holidays? Find out about cost of living support.
Sport and games
- Fancy trying a fun new game for free? Boccia is a Paralympic sport, similar to French Boules. Hartford Parish Council has installed a Boccia court behind the Village Hall on Chester Road. You can play Boccia anytime, free of charge, and borrow the equipment for free too. Contact us to arrange a game. We have recently resurfaced the court and added a ramp, to make it more accessible for people who use a wheelchair.
- If you’d prefer a social game of Boccia, join Tiny Steps, a local charity for children and young people with additional needs, and their families. Contact dianedixon@tinystepssensory.onmicrosoft.com for more information
- Tiny Steps also organise other social events, in and around Hartford. Find out about their SEN social sessions
- Hartford Golf Club has lots of fun on offer for young people. Try out your skills on the course or the driving range, or have fun on the Mad Hatters Adventure gold course
- Hartford Tennis Club is a not-for-profit club for the community. The club’s Junior membership option costs £24 per season. Secondary-school age young people can sign up for £58. If you don’t want to sign up as a member, you can book the two tarmac courts for £10 an hour. Find out more about membership options. The club also runs tennis camps for kids and teens over the Easter and Summer holidays.
Events and attractions, in and around Hartford
- Drama, dance, football, art, yoga… Hartford has a whole host of regular weekly clubs for kids and teens. Take a look at our round-up of clubs for kids and teens in the village.
- Fancy the theatre? Head over to the Grange School Theatre on Bradburns Lane in Hartford to see Les Miserables, or take part in the musical theatre summer school
- Want to watch a film? Films in Hartford is showing “If” (PG) at the Grange Theatre on Monday 3 August 2026 at 2.30pm.Tickets cost £5 and are on sale at Kismet, Hartford Post Office, Hartford Dry Cleaners and The Acupuncture Clinic.
- There are lots of fantastic family attractions and events taking place near Hartford. See the Visit Northwich website for lots of ideas
- Our local libraries are also hosting 100’s of fun, free activities for kids over the school holidays – for example, story-time, craft sessions, treasure hunts and more. Join in at Barnton, Northwich, Sandiway, Weaverham and other local libraries.
Nature and outdoor fun
- How about a trip to beautiful Marshall’s Arm Nature Reserve? You can access Marshall’s arm from the bottom of Stones Manor Lane in Hartford and it leads to the River Weaver- see location. Alternatively, see our guide to nature and wildlife in and around Hartford
- There are lots of playgrounds around Hartford. Hartford Parish Council manages two of them – Grange Park and Leese Park. At Grange Park, there is also an outdoor table tennis table, and a box with bats and balls, so you can play any time. Try the Green Field too (behind the Chester Road shops) – it has a large grassy area with football posts.
- There are loads of other great play areas near to Hartford, for example, Vickersway Park in Northwich has tennis courts, Crown Green Bowling, crazy golf, a children’s playground, an outdoor gym, a skate park and a bird aviary, together with a small snack shop.
