Free holiday activities

The Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme is free to children and young people who live or go to school in Barking and Dagenham and are eligible for benefit-related free school meals, with paid places available for everyone.

Barking and Dagenham Holiday Activity and Food programme (5-16 years olds)

This Summer, get involved with our HAF Summer programme. We have a range of organisations providing fun, enriching and healthy activities across Barking and Dagenham to keep children active, while making friends and having fun. Each activity includes a healthy hot meal! 

The Summer holiday programmes are open to all school-age children from 5-16 years old. Free and paid spaces are available. Parents and carers throughout the borough may be eligible for tax-free childcare.

Booking is essential on all activities, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Free holiday activities

5 to 12 year olds

Artbash Camp Bounce

ARTBASH Camp BOUNCE will be retuning this Summer for the Holiday Activity and Food programme. Their four-day art Camp will explore different art workshops, delve into some energetic movement, and provide the young ones with some much-needed bounce throughout the Summer.

Location: Manor Longbridge School, RM8 2FL

Dates:

31 July - 3 August

7 August - 8 August

Delivery Times: 09:00 - 15:30

Age Group: 5 to 11

Booking Link: georgia@artbash.uk

 

Summer HAF at DABD, Pembrooke Gardens 

The Disablement Association of Barking and Dagenham (DABD)’s events have been specifically designed for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

There will be lots of fun and educational sessions, including an eating healthy food demonstration and specifically designed exercises and activities. The range of activities include painting, soft play area, sensory play, water play, sand play, arts and crafts, drawing and colouring, music, dancing, playdough, Lego and specifically created sports and exercise activities (indoors and outdoors) such as football and yoga (sensory adapted).

Location: Pembroke Gardens, Dagenham RM10 7YP

Dates:

25 July - 27 July

1 August - 3 August

8 August - 10 August

15 August - 17 August

22 August - 24 August

Delivery Times: 10:00 - 15:00

Age Group: 5 to 18

Booking Link: diana.nagawa@dabd.org.uk

Contact Number: 033 0054 2500

(Ofsted Registered; eligible for tax-free childcare)

 

 

Future Youth Zone

This Summer, Future Youth Zone will be offering a range of free summer activities from football, basketball, athletics, art, music, dance, cooking, and many more.  We want our young people to have fun in a healthy environment, powered by good food and encouraged by professional youth workers who bring out the best in you.   

Location: Future Youth Zone, 201-225 Porters Avenue, Dagenham RM9 5YX

Dates: 24 July - 25 August

Delivery Times: 09:00 - 15:00

Age Group: 8 to 12

Booking Link: Book a Session - Future Youth Zone

Contact email: enquiries@futureyouthzone.org

Contact Number: 020 3941 6722

 

Inspire Minds Through Sports

This Summer, Inspire Minds Through Sports will be running healthy eating and nutrition workshops for both children and their families. They encourage those they serve to make new friends and to find out more about the services in our local community.

They have some new and exciting activities planned for this Summer, so come along and check it out!

Location: St Peter’s Goresbrook Road, Dagenham RM9 6UU

Dates: 24 July - 11 August

Delivery Times: 09:00 - 15:00

Age Group: 5 to 11

Booking Link: www.imtsports.org  

Contact email: Imtsports@hotmail.com

Contact Number: 079 5711 7313

 

Location: William Ford Road, Dagenham RM10 9JS

Dates: 24 July - 11 August

Delivery Times: 09:00 - 15:00

Age Group: 5 to 11

Booking Link: www.imtsports.org  

Contact email: Imtsports@hotmail.com

Contact Number: 079 5711 7313

 

Ballerz

This Summer, Ballerz will be providing a range of exciting activities from football, basketball, dodgeball, handball, tennis, hockey, cricket, rounders, tag rugby, gymnastics, and dance. They also have enrichment activities such as laser tag, mini-golf, inflatables, bikes and scooters, nerf wars, boxing and many more.

Their aim is to provide a safe, friendly, and fun environment for children to keep fit, active and healthy during the school holidays as well as providing the opportunity to spend time with friends or make new friends.

 

Location: Valence Primary, Bonham Road, Dagenham RM8 3BB

Dates: 24 July - 11 August

Delivery Times: 08:30 - 16:15

Age: 5 to 11

Booking Link: www.ballerz.uk

Contact Number: 074 8246 8659

 

Location: Northbury Close, Barking IG11 8JA

Dates: 24 July - 11 August

Delivery Times: 08:30 - 16:15

Age: 5 to 11

Booking Link: www.ballerz.uk

Contact Number: 074 8246 8659

 

Landmark – An urban arts camp at Studio 3 Arts

Join the team of brilliant artists at Studio 3 Arts’ urban arts camp this Summer holiday. Share your skills with them and learn new techniques in dance, drama, and visual arts to bring together a unique immersive experience that explores the themes of journeys, travel and identity within and beyond your imagination.

Location: Studio 3 Arts, The Galleon Centre, Boundary Road, Barking IG11 7JR

Dates: 31 July - 4 August

Delivery Times: 11:30 - 16:30

Age Group: 8 to 11

Booking Link: www.studio3arts.org.uk/event/landmark-an-urban-arts-camp

Contact email: Sharlene@studio3arts.org.uk

Contact Number: 073 8302 6359

 

Location: Rusholme Avenue, Heath Park Community Centre, RM10 7PR

Dates: 31 July - 4 August

Delivery Times: 11:30 - 16:30

Age Group: 8 to 11

Booking Link: www.studio3arts.org.uk/event/landmark-an-urban-arts-camp

Contact email: Sharlene@studio3arts.org.uk

Contact Number: 073 8302 6359

 

Learning Hive

Get ready for an amazing Summer adventure with Learning Hive’s Holiday Camp at John Perry and Becontree Primary School!

Learning Hive will be offering a varied selection of workshops with a focus on keeping primary school children active, creative, sociable, and eager to learn over the Summer holidays.

Your child will be delving into exciting activities like cooking, spy experiences, karate, football, and arts and crafts. Plus, they provide your children with free healthy lunches to make sure your child stays energised throughout the day.

Come and join the fun – they can't wait to see you there!

Location: John Perry Primary School, Dagenham RM10 8UR

Dates:

24 July - 27 July

31 July - 3 August

Delivery Times: 09:00 - 13:00

Age Group: 5 to 11

Booking Link: www.eequ.org/experience/3623

Contact email: info@learninghive.co.uk

Contact Number: 0207 112 8658

 

Location: Becontree Primary School, Dagenham RM8 2QR

Dates:

7 August - 10 August

14 August - 17 August

Delivery Times: 09:00 - 13:00

Age Group: 5 to 11

Booking Link: www.eequ.org/experience/3625

Contact email: info@learninghive.co.uk

Contact Number: 020 7112 8658

 

Premier Education – Multi-activity Camp

This Summer, come along and try our fantastic summer activities! With their huge range of sports and activities, your child will have an experience to remember.

Activities include orienteering, football, dodgeball, archery, obstacle course, design a maze, party games, baseball, cricket, basketball, sports day, total wipeout, tag rugby, den building, uni hoc, handball, rounders, tennis, pool football, foot golf, fencing, and super soakers.

We also offer a wide range of camp-themed arts and crafts, finger puppets mask making, painting, card making, clay modelling, colouring, UV face painting, Lego, and more.

Location: Manor Junior School, Barking IG11 9AG

Dates: 24 July - 18 August

Delivery Times: 09:00 - 15:00

Age Group: 5 to 12

Booking Link: Barking & Dagenham - Premier Education Summer HAF

Contact email: sschultz@premier-education.com

Contact Number: 078 2136 1288

 

Location: Roding Primary School, Dagenham RM9 4BL

Dates: 24 July - 18 August

Delivery Times: 09:00 - 15:00

Age Group: 5 to 12

Booking Link: Barking & Dagenham - Premier Education Summer HAF Camp

Contact email: sschultz@premier-education.com

Contact Number: 078 2136 1288

 

 

Creative Kids Summer Club – Arts, Culture, Creativity, Fitness and Food

This Summer, come along and try our fantastic Summer activities! With our huge range of activities including carnival craft making, canvas drip, pour painting and yoga.

Location: Thames View Community Hub, Barking IG11 0LH

Dates: 31 July - 25 August

Delivery Times: 11:00 - 15:00

Age Group: 5 to 15

Booking Link: Creative Kids Summer Club ARTS, CULTURE, CREATIVITY, FITNESS & FOOD - Google Forms

Contact email: ros@ukoncareers.com

Contact Number: 077 9607 3812

 

Location: Gascoigne Primary School, Barking IG11 7DR

Dates: 31 July - 25 August

Delivery Times: 11:00 - 15:00

Age Group: 5 to 15

Booking Link: TBC

Contact email: makeyourmarkbandd@gmail.com

Contact Number: 075 0676 8523

 

Location: Village Community Hub, Dagenham RM10 9XW

Dates: 31 July - 25 August

Delivery Times: 11:00 - 15:00

Age Group: 5 to 15

Booking Link: TBC

Contact email: Youthspotbar@outlook.com

Contact Number: 075 0676 8523

 

Malearn Summer Holiday Club

This Summer, Malearn holiday club will be delivering multi-sports sessions, food workshops, tabletop games and art and craft activities for children to enjoy and develop their skills.

Our club provides great opportunities for children to socialise with other children and to support their wellbeing. Parents are welcome to join for our food workshop.

Location: Thomas Arnold Primary School, Rowdowns Road, Dagenham RM9 6NH

Dates: 19 July - 10 August

Delivery Times: 10:00 - 14:00

Age: 5 to 12

Booking Link: https://form.jotform.com/Malearn/ThomasArnold2023SummerClub

Contact Email: info@malearn.co.uk

 

Location: Riverside Primary School, Renwick Road, Barking IG11 0FU

Dates: 19 July - 10 August

Delivery Times: 10:00 - 14:00

Age: 5 to 12

Booking Link: https://form.jotform.com/Malearn/RiversidePrimary2023SummerClub

Contact Email: info@malearn.co.uk

(Ofsted Registered; eligible for tax-free childcare)

 

Dagenham Eagles

This Summer, Dagenham Eagles N.E.W.S.T.A.R.T. Extravaganza Summer Camp will offer hot food taster sessions for children aged 5 to 12. Our effective approach engages and enables cross curriculum learning outcomes, individual confidence, respect, courage, leadership, and responsibility in a safe and fun learning environment.

Each 2-day session engages in life skills and teaches how cooking and eating healthy meals on a low budget and with natural foods can enrich young people’s lives.

Fun activities include both indoor and outdoor learning through offsite team building trip, arts, crafts, puppetry, fruit and vegetable mascots.

Participants are empowered to develop resilience, physical stamina, and life skills, including financial and mental wellbeing.

Location: Marks Gate Community Hub, Rose Lane, Dagenham RM6 5NJ

Dates: 

2 August - 3 August

9 August - 10 August

Delivery Times: 09:30 - 17:30

Age: 5 to 12

Booking Link: https://forms.gle/5KDf7g3HrDk7o7cQ7

Contact Email: Dagenham-eagles@outlook.com

Contact Number: 079 6935 1489

 

UV Sports Camps

This Summer, UV camps will be offering a range of sports activities such as football, dodgeball, cricket, athletics, basketball, handball, netball, tennis and much more.

In addition, they will provide workshops and enrichment activities which are designed to enable your child to learn new skills, make new friends and problem solve while developing their imagination and creative abilities.

 

Location: Ripple Primary School, Westbury Site, 225 Ripple Road, Barking IG11 7FP

Dates:

24 July - 27 July

31 July - 3 August

21 August - 24 August

Delivery Times: 09:00 - 14:00

Age Group: 5 to 11

Booking Link: TBC

Contact email: info@ultimatevisionsports.co.uk

 

Location: Grafton Primary School, Dagenham RM8 3EX

Dates:

24 July - 27 July

7 August - 10 August

14 August - 17 August

Delivery Times: 09:00 - 14:00

Age Group: 5 to 11

Booking Link: TBC

Contact email: info@ultimatevisionsports.co.uk

 

Location: Goresbrook School, Cook Road, Dagenham RM9 6XW

Dates:

31 July - 3 August

14 August - 17 August

Delivery Times: 09:00 - 14:00

Age Group: 5 to 11

Booking Link: TBC

Contact email: info@ultimatevisionsports.co.uk

 

Location: Gascoigne Primary School, The Shaftesbury, Barking IG11 7JA

Dates:

7 August - 10 August

14 August - 17 August

Delivery Times: 09:00 - 14:00

Age Group: 5 to 11

Booking Link: TBC

Contact email: info@ultimatevisionsports.co.uk

Location: William Bellamy Primary School, Frizlands Lane, Dagenham RM10 7HX

Dates:

24 July - 27 July

31 July - 3 August

21 August - 24 August

Delivery Times: 09:00 - 14:00

Age Group: 5 to 11

Booking Link: TBC

Contact email: info@ultimatevisionsports.co.uk

 

Everyone Active

This Summer, our holiday programme will provide opportunities for children to take part in swimming crash courses and a variety of multi-sports activities, as well as learning life skills such as CPR, first aid, and nutritional advice.

They will also be including pool inflatable sessions into our holiday programme as well as enriching activities such as arts and crafts, vlogging and more!

Location: Abbey Leisure Centre, Bobby Moore Way, Barking IG11 7HW

Dates:

7 August - 11 August

21 August - 25 August

Delivery Times: 09:00 - 15:30

Age Group: 8 to 15

Booking Link: abbeyactivities@everyoneactive.com

Contact Number: 020 3948 4960

Location: Becontree Heath Leisure Centre, Althorne Way, Dagenham RM10 7FH

Dates:

31 July - 4 August

14 August - 18 August

Delivery Times: 09:00 - 13:00

Age Group: 4 to 7

Booking Link: becontreeactivities@everyoneactive.com

Contact Number: 020 3889 6238

 

Bow Arts

This Summer, our holiday programme will give children the opportunity to creatively explore and respond to the themes of heathy food and culture.

The themes will be explored with hands on practical arts workshops with Bow Arts artist educators as well as through workshop setting and its surroundings. They will be encouraged to work collaboratively over the course of the 5 days and invited to share their final outcomes with their families.

Location: Eastbury Manor Eastbury Square, Barking IG11 9SN

Dates:

23 August - 25 August

30 August - 31 August

Delivery Times: 09:30 - 14:30

Age Group: 5 to 12

Booking Link: https://form.jotform.com/231373918542358

Contact Number: 020 8980 7774

 

Explore the Wild Summer Programme

Explore the Wild Summer Programme is a children-focused health and wellbeing programme. Across four weeks, Company Drinks will transform the old bowls club and bowls green in Barking Park into a well-being space for wild play, growing, cooking, feasting, resting, creating, and eating nutritious food.

This program is for ages 7-11.

Company Drinks will be partnering with Made Up Kitchen to deliver nutritional food and cooking workshops through holistic approaches. Opening the door to learn about food production, picking, recipes and much more and providing young people with the tools to create their own meals. Made Up Kitchen will prepare food daily and involve the children in the whole process from chopping, serving, feasting, recording ideas and sharing.

Explore the Wild will run Monday - Thursday each week, 10:30am-2pm and lunch is provided

Location: Company Drinks Outdoor Bowls Pavilion Barking Park Longbridge Road

Barking To Sign Up: https://forms.gle/1zc6QXvjpGg7MExG6

For Queries: events@companydrinks.info

Dates:

24 July - 27July

31 July - 3 August

7 August - 10 August

14 August - 17 August

Delivery Times: 10:30 - 14:00

Age Group: 7 to 11

Booking Link: https://forms.gle/1zc6QXvjpGg7MExG6  

Contact email: events@companydrinks.info

Contact Number: 07405657787

12 to 16 year olds

Inspire Minds Through Sports

This Summer, Inspire Minds Through Sports will be running their first ever 4-day residential camp at Trewern Outdoor Education Centre. Whether you want to scale the mountains of the Brecon Beacons National Park, explore the rivers by canoe, venture underground or simply enjoy a local walk, taking in some of the many sites in the Hay-on-Wye, this camp is the ideal place for you.

Spaces are limited.

Location: Trewern Outdoor Education Centre, HR3 5RF

Dates: 5 August - 9 August

Delivery Times: 09:00 - 17:00

Age Group: 11 to 16

Booking Link: www.imtsports.org 

Contact email: Imtsports@hotmail.com

Contact Number: 079 5711 7313

 

The Summer Workshop Holiday Camp

This Summer, come along and try their fantastic range of activities, including carnival craft making, canvas drip pour painting and yoga.

Location: Thames View Community Hub, Barking IG11 0LH

Dates: 31 July - 25 August

Delivery Times: 11:00 - 15:00

Age Group: 11 to 15

Booking Link: TBC

Contact email: ros@ukoncareers.com

Contact Number: 077 9607 3812

 

Location: Gascoigne Primary School, Barking IG11 7DR

Dates: 31 July - 25 August

Delivery Times: 11:00 - 15:00

Age Group: 11 to 15

Booking Link: TBC

Contact email: makeyourmarkbandd@gmail.com

Contact Number: 075 0676 8523

 

Location: Village Community Hub, Dagenham RM10 9XW

Dates: 31 July - 25 August

Delivery Times: 11:00 - 15:00

Age Group: 11 to 15

Booking Link: TBC

Contact email: youthspotbar@outlook.com

Contact Number: 075 0676 8523

 

Healthy Hammers at West Ham United Foundation

This Summer, West Ham United Foundation are offering free sport and health programmes for local families.

Participants are advised to bring plenty of fluid, a healthy snack[CJ1] , suitable sports-based clothing and footwear, as well as wet weather clothing in case of rain.

Our summer camps are delivered on either a grass pitch or playground, so trainers are the most suitable footwear.

Location: Jo Richardson School, Castle Green, Gale Street, Dagenham RM9 4UN

Dates:

24 July - 27 July 

31 July - 3 August  

7 August - 10 August

14 August - 17 August

Delivery Times: 9:00 - 13:00

Age: 12 to 16

Booking Link: https://playwaze.com/west-ham-united-foundation---barking-dagenham/8pbpj7slb9gdje/session-display?eventId=PhysicalEventSeries/81953-B&d=202307240800

 

 

Landmark – An urban arts camp at Studio 3 Arts

Join the team of brilliant artists at Studio 3 Arts’ urban arts camp this Summer holiday. Share your skills with them and learn new techniques in dance, drama, and visual arts to bring together a unique immersive experience that explores the themes of journeys, travel and identity within and beyond your imagination.

Location: Studio 3 Arts, The Galleon Centre, Boundary Road, Barking IG11 7JR

Dates: 7 to 11 August

Delivery Times: 11:30 - 16:00

Age Group: 12 to 16

Booking Link: www.studio3arts.org.uk/event/landmark-an-urban-arts-camp

Contact email: Sharlene@studio3arts.org.uk

Contact Number: 073 8302 6359

 

Location: Rusholme Avenue, Heath Park Community Centre, Dagenham RM10 7PR

Dates: 7 August - 11 August

Delivery Times: 11:30 - 16:30

Age Group: 12 to 16

Booking Link: www.studio3arts.org.uk/event/landmark-an-urban-arts-camp

Contact email: Sharlene@studio3arts.org.uk

Contact Number: 073 8302 6359

 

Everyone Active

This Summer, their holiday programme will provide opportunities for children to take part in swimming crash courses and a variety of multi-sports activities as well as learning life skills such as CPR, first aid and nutritional advice. We will also be including Pool Inflatable sessions into our holiday programme as well as enriching activities such as; arts and crafts, vlogging and more!

 

Location: Becontree Heath Leisure Centre, Althorne Wy, Dagenham RM10 7FH

Dates: 31 July to 4 August & 14 to 18 August

Delivery Times: 09:00 – 3:30

Age Group: 8 - 15

Booking Link: becontreeactivities@everyoneactive.com

Contact Number: 020 3889 6238

 

Everyone Active

This summer our Holiday Programme will provide opportunities for children to take part in swimming crash courses, and a variety of multi-sports activities as well as learning life skills such as CPR, first aid, and nutritional advice.

They will also be including pool inflatable sessions into their holiday programme as well as enriching activities such as arts and crafts, vlogging and more!

Location: Abbey Leisure Centre, Bobby Moore Way, Barking IG11 7HW

Dates:

7 August - 11 August

21 August - 25 August

Delivery Times: 09:00 - 15:30

Age Group: 8 to 15

Booking Link: abbeyactivities@everyoneactive.com

Contact Number: 020 3948 4960

 

Summer HAF at DABD, Pembrooke Gardens 

The Disablement Association of Barking and Dagenham (DABD)’s events have been specifically designed for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

There will be lots of fun and educational sessions, including an eating healthy food demonstration and specifically designed exercises and activities. The range of activities include painting, soft play area, sensory play, water play, sand play, arts and crafts, drawing and colouring, music, dancing, playdough, Lego and specifically created sports and exercise activities (indoors and outdoors) such as football and yoga (sensory adapted).

Location: Pembroke Gardens, Dagenham RM10 7YP

Dates:

25 July - 27 July

1 August - 3 August

8 August - 10 August

15 August - 17 August

22 August - 24 August

Delivery Times: 10:00 - 15:00

Age Group: 5 to 18

Booking Link: diana.nagawa@dabd.org.uk

Contact Number: 033 0054 2500

(Ofsted Registered; eligible for tax-free childcare)