12 free things to do in Liverpool with the kids over summer holidays

Now the schools have broken up, the challenge is going to be keeping kids entertained over the summer holidays.

Even if you’re planning to get away, there are still a lot of weeks to fill and that can be expensive.

We’re lucky here because we have fabulous parks like Calderstones, Sefton, Princes and Greenbank, Croxteth and Stanley Park, and Birkenhead Park. The waterfront and Albert Dock are great for getting out for a walk or a bike ride (don’t forget to get a selfie on one of the dock’s giant deckchairs), as well as beautiful beaches at Formby and Crosby where you can go Iron Men spotting, Hoylake, West Kirby, and New Brighton which make for great free picnic spots.

To help keep the spending down a bit without having to miss out on some family fun, here are 12 more free things to do in and around Liverpool with the kids over summer …

Summer Fun with Derby Mouse at Liverpool Cathedral

You won’t find a more stunning venue for summer activities than this – on dates through August, the cathedral is holding free Summer Fun with Derby Mouse arts and crafts sessions. They’re based in the education zone, and each one lasts 45 minutes on the theme of Being Human. They are happening throughout the summer holidays, on August 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 & 31 – pre-book sessions on the website.

More info here.

Are You Messin’? at the Bluecoat

If your kids love getting arty and messy, get along to Bluecoat on School Lane for its Are You Messin’? interactive exhibition which is designed to be touched. Little visitors can get hands-on with artworks across four galleries, and there’s also a programme of free workshops, storytelling and performances. Until September 18.

More info here.

Do Something Saturdays at FACT

Another chance for kids to get creative over the summer holidays, FACT has free hands-on Do Something Saturdays workshops on August 20, 27 and Sept 10, 12-4pm. Based in the first floor gallery, they’re suitable for all ages and you could find yourself bringing digital avatars with augmented reality or learning a TikTok dance inspired by K-pop. There are activity sheets to explore the galleries too. 

More info here.

The Heritage Trail at Liverpool ONE

If you’re in the city centre, Liverpool ONE has a great free trail to discover more about the city’s history. The Heritage Trail is self-guided, so you can do it whenever you like, and it takes between 60 & 90 minutes. There are 16 stopping off points where you can fill up on interesting facts via the app audio guide or by picking up a free heritage trail map from the Information Centre. 

More info here.

Summer Bug Hunt at World Museum

Kids can get up close to some creepy crawlies and find out a bit more about them on one of the free Summer Bug Hunts happening at World Museum on William Brown Street. They’re on July 27, August 3, 10, 17, 21, 24 & 31 between 11am and 2pm, when experts will take small groups on a mini bug hunt around the museum’s wildflower garden. 

More info here.

A Dr Who virtual reality adventure at World Museum

Still at World Museum, this one’s fantastic for Dr Who fans. On Wednesdays during the holidays, kids aged 10+ can join in the VR experience Doctor Who: The Edge Of Time and watch as the Tardis travels through time in virtual reality, explore the Tardis and help solve puzzles to get Time Crystals, become a Dalek or escape from the Weeping Angels. It’s on July 27, August 3, 10, 17 & 24.

More info here.

Rice Lane City Farm

Based in Walton, Rice Lane City Farm has always been free to visit for about the past 40 years and it’s one of the loveliest places to take kids for a day out. There are lots of friendly farmyard animals to see, including gorgeous Ness the donkey, plus rabbits and cockerels, and a woodland walk where you can get out into nature and spot the wildlife.

More info here.

Art and craft family workshops at Museum of Liverpool

Kids can happily spend hours making things, so take them along to the Museum of Liverpool’s workshops through summer. There are toy-themed sessions on August 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7, from 11-12pm and 1.30-4pm inspired by the museum’s collection of toys through the ages, badge making on August 16, 17 & 18 from 11-4pm, and little creatives can make their own Lambananas on August 25, 1.30-4pm. 

More info here.

Children’s Summer Sports Day at the Palm House

The Palm House in Sefton Park will be packed with free sports for kids on Wednesday August 10, between 11am and 3pm, when it teams up with Liverpool Harriers & AC to host a Sports Day. There’ll be lots of different stations with a sports leader at each one so children can try out new activities and maybe find themselves a new favourite. 

More info here.

Play and picnic in the gardens at Strawberry Field

It’s never too soon to teach kids about The Beatles and introduce them to one of the most iconic landmarks in the city, behind those world-famous red gates. Every Thursday through summer, from 10am, Strawberry Field will be opening its garden free for children to play then you can enjoy a family picnic under the trees.

More info here.

Children’s Zoo at Walton Hall & Gardens

This one’s outside the city, near Daresbury, but it’s worth a trip because it’s a beautiful place for a picnic day out especially for animal lovers. Entry to the park is free and that includes the Children’s Zoo which is open every day from 10.30am-4.45pm. There are alpacas, rescue donkeys, rabbits, pot-bellied pigs, sheep, pygmy goats, and lots of birds including peacocks.

More info here.

Go skateboarding, BMX or scootering

Credit: @andrewsnxps on Instagram

Liverpool’s got skateparks at New Bird Street in the Baltic, Newsham Park, Everton Park and at Otterspool, and they’re free to use and built for skateboarders, scooter and BMX riders of all ages and abilities. Plus there’s a green gym near the Otterspool one so kids can get a free outdoor workout too.