Summer is here! Yay! I approach the summer with a mixture of excitement at spending time with the kids, and dread at all that time together with the kids! The summer holidays are loooooooonnnnng, and expensive. Here’s my guide to the best free and cheap things to do with the kids and family days out in Bedfordshire. You’ll find family events in Bedford, Luton, Leighton Buzzard, Dunstable, Ampthill and more. Don’t forget that over the summer I’ll be updating all of my latest reviews on the WhatsApp channel. You can follow that by clicking the button below
There’s so much going on I’ve split the counties into separate blogs otherwise this post would be really long. If you want to know what’s on in Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire just click the links. And if you find this page useful please consider supporting the future of the blog by buying me a coffee. Thank you.
This is just a guide to the summer events. You can find all of my reviews of family days out and activities in Bedfordshire here.
What’s on in Bedford
Bedford River Festival is a fantastic FREE, family friendly event alongside, well, the river! It’s on the 20th & 21st July.
At the Higgins Bedford there are various summer holidays events taking place all about castles. There’s lots of different craft sessions (max £5.50 per child), STEM sessions, nature sessions. There are also under 5 bubble shows.
Moggerhanger Park in Bedford haven’t announced their summer holiday activities yet. They often have a trail so keep an eye out for that. They do have guided house tours on Thursdays and Sundays.
What’s on in Luton & Dunstable
There’s a FREE open air cinema at Priory Gardens on the 10th August from 12pm – 10.30pm. They’ll be showing various films suitable for lots of ages. There’s also Sunday Concerts on the 18th August.
Dunstable Town council is putting on Around the World at Priory Gardens on the 3rd August from 10.30 – 4.30. You can find all the details here
The Stockwood Discovery Centre are hosting lots of events this summer holidays. There’s a Game On! exhibit, film showings, craft markets and shows. There’s also the Stockwood Garden Party on the 6th August which is free. Find out more.
It’s Ashton Square Day on the 17th August from 9.30am – 3.30pm. There’s free crafts, soft play, Teaching Talons, Face painting, crazy golf, craft stalls and a history alive trail.
Dunstable Downs (reviewed here) are having a summer of play and it’s all FREE. There will be various different games available to play throughout the summer holidays. 22 July and 1 September. There’s the Big Dig on the 20th & 21st July, £2 per child. There’s also a free kites festival on the 17th & 18th August. Finally the big camp is on the 3rd Aug and is £60 per pitch (up to 5 people)
Whipsnade Zoo have got loads of activities as part of their Summer Family Fun event. It’s all about Asian animals and each week focuses on a different animal. There’s Draw with Rob sessions on 31 August & 1 September at 10.45am, 1pm, 3pm. Don’t forget, Blue Peter badge holders go free. Also, they’re still running the community access scheme where adult tickets are £6 and child tickets are £3
What’s on in Leighton Buzzard
There are several things going on at Rushmere Country Park (reviewed here) over the holiday. There’s Bug Lab on the 13th & 22nd August where you’ll be going on a mini-beast hunt and doing bug related crafts. £2 per child, over 4’s only, pre-booking required. Then there’s the FREE Explorer Challenge which is all about map reading and marker finding. 25th July & 15th August.
The Linslade Canal Festival is on the 27th July. It’s a free event at Tiddenfoot waterside park. The festival celebrates and highlights canal life, conservation, the countryside and traditional rural crafts.
Bluey is coming to Leighton Buzzard Railway on the 21st July. There’s a Pirate’s weekend on the 25th & 26th August and finally it’s Paddington’s turn on the 1st September.
Mead Open Farm are currently offering unlimited summer visits for the 20th July – 1st September for £30 per person. This summer they’re hosting a summer spectacular until the 1st September! There’s water-zorbing, a silent-disco and daily foam parties.
What’s on in Bedfordshire
Ampthill Great Park have got various free sports events for 11-15 year olds in the park throughout the summer holidays. There’s football (29th July / 12th Aug), rounders (5th/19th August) and Tennis (every Tuesday in August).
Wrest Park (reviewed here) have their usual free summer trail – this time it’s Where’s My Shadow. There’s also a special Wrest at War weekend on the 17th & 18th August which is included with admission. They are also putting on a performance of Hamlet on the 2nd August.
The Forest of Marston Vale in Bedfordshire always do loads of family events during the summer holidays. There’s crafts, afternoon tea with princesses, a magic show and Little City will be there.
The Shuttleworth Collection in Bedfordshire have got various family events over the summer holidays. Their biggest events are a summer evening air show on the 20th July, family weekend (including camping option) on the 8th – 12th August and proms weekend on the 29th Aug – 1st September.
Jordan’s Mill near Broom have a summer activity trail from the 20th July – 1st September. £4 per child. There is also a craft workshop on the 20th July (£5 per child, ages 5-8).
MK Play Association have two free events in Bedfordshire – Maids Moreton on the 2nd August and Edlesborough on the 15th August.
We hope you have a great summer. Don’t forget to tell us via the Facebook page if you go on any awesome cheap family days out over the holidays
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Hi, I’m Vicky. My husband and I live in Aylesbury with our three children; a 14 year old son, an 12 year old son and a 6 year old daughter. I (mostly) love spending time together as a family. We visit all kinds of places and we’re quite happy to drive a fair distance for a decent day out. A few years ago I decided to set up Free Time with the Kids as a way to share our experiences of these family days out.
You’ll find the essential information you need to know before your visit that can be surprisingly hard to find out. Where do I park? How much will it cost me to get in? Are there any discounts available? Are there loos? Can I take a picnic or get food? My aim is to be your go-to guide for all your free and cheap family days out across Bucks, Beds, Oxon, Herts & slightly beyond. I really hope you find the reviews helpful. If there’s anywhere that you’d recommend please get in touch contact@freetimewiththekids.com or get in touch via Facebook