SEND Summer Holiday Activities
Updated: 03/07/25
As summer holidays approach, you may be looking for activities to fill your child’s day. Please see below a selection of activities which may be of interest to you and your family, compiled by the Children’s Services team. Please be aware that these activities are not organized by Ruils, so to be sure that information is up to date please follow the website links for each organisation.
Action Attainment – Fun in the Sun: Summer sports activities for neurodivergent children, teens and young adults. (Fees apply but concessions available.)
- Paddleboarding and Kayaking (ages 8-11) Brentford Canal, July 23rd and 30th and August 21st and 28, 10:15-12:30
- Tennis (ages 5-11) at Rocks Lane Multisports Centre, Barnes, July 24th, August 20th and 27th 10-11am, 31st of July 1:45-2:45pm
To register interest, please contact Tom Silver at tom@action-attainment.com
AFC Local Offer Listing of Activities and Clubs for children and young people including sports, arts and youth and social clubs
Albany Outdoors, Inclusion and special educational needs and disability club: 8 years to adults: Summer activities include dragon boating, paddle boarding, canoeing and kayaking. Bookings available through their website
Challengers Play Scheme for disabled children ages 4-12: Clarendon Primary in Hampton. Must be registered with Challengers in order to use the service
Knots Arts Summer Activities for neurodivergent children and young people including:
- East Sheen Drama week – ages 8-12 years, 28 Jul 2025– 01 Aug 2025
- Play in a Week for 13-25 years, 5th August to 9th August at OSO Arts Centre, Barnes
- East Sheen Art Week – ages 8-16 years (collage, printmaking, animation, painting) 4th – 8th August
- Dungeons and Dragons and Boardgames, 13-25 years, Mortlake, 14-15th Aug 2025
- Holly lodge Den Building, ages 8-12 years, Richmond, 18th August 2025
Visit Knots Arts for more information and to book
FriendBee Activities
Cooking Up for ages 10-15, Wednesday 6th August 11am-12:30 at Ham Youth Centre.
There are 4 spaces available. This session is chance to practice cooking skills in a safe, accessible environment. The session costs £15 and all ingredients are provided (they can cater for dietary requirements too). Each young person will be allocated a volunteer, however a carer must also be present for the session. Please be aware that there will be equipment including sharp knives and hot plates at the session. The session is wheelchair accessible, however the tables are not adjustable. If you have any questions, please let me know. Please book using this link.
Cooking Up for ages 16 and above, Wednesday 20th August 11am-12:30 at Ham Youth Centre.
There are 4 spaces available. This session is chance to practice cooking skills in a safe, accessible environment. The session costs £15 and all ingredients are provided (they can cater for dietary requirements too). Each young person will be allocated a volunteer however, a carer must also be present for the session. Please be aware that there will be equipment including sharp knives and hot plates at the session. The session is wheelchair accessible, however the tables are not adjustable. If you have any questions, please let me know. Please book using this link.
FriendBee Allotment Sessions for ages 10 and above, 31st July, 14th August and 28th August 11am-12:30pm at Ruils Allotments, Shacklegate Lane in Teddington.
The Ruils allotment space is going to be open for summer sessions for FriendBee clients to use. We are excited to invite you come along to use the space either to help with some gardening, enjoy your lunch or just sit and enjoy the nature. Your young person will need to be accompanied by a carer to support them. Please bring a lunch if you would like. There are 6 spaces per session. You only need to book one ticket for the carer and young person. Please book using this link.
FriendBee Accessible Walk for all ages, Friday 8th August 11am-12:30pm at Woodland Gardens, Bushy Park.
We will meet by the Pheasntry Cafe and walk around the Woodland Gardens. This is a wheelchair accessible route, with plenty of places to rest. There is plenty of parking; including disabled spaces, toilet facilities, a cafe and there are not dogs allowed inside the gardens. You and your young person may wish to bring your lunch to enjoy outside also. Please book using this link.
Marble Hill Play Centres SENsational Saturday Club: Runs monthly and open to families with SEND children. Dates include 5th July and 4th August
Rise (Richmond Inclusive Sport and Exercise) Activities: Summer activities include canoeing and all-ability cycling sessions. Fees apply.
SEND FUEL Programme in Kingston and Richmond – Summer 2025: Free holiday activity programme for children with SEND who are eligible for free school meals. SEND-specific sessions have additional staff and training within their settings so they can offer higher levels of support to young people with more complex additional needs.
To book you will need your child’s unique 17digit FUEL booking code. If you have not received your child’s code, please contact your child’s school or email AFC at fuel@achievingforchildren.org.uk. (Richmond parents can register with providers in both Richmond and Kingston boroughs.)
Skylarks Activities: Charity based in East Twickenham that offers a range of activities and therapies for children with disabilities. Link to the Skylarks current schedule of activities and events:
Snakes and Ladders SEND Play Sessions – Free soft-play sessions for ages 0-12. Up to two adults and two children may attend (at least one child must have SEND and proof of DLA is required upon entry). Wednesdays from 4:15 – 6:15 in Syon Park, Brentford
Short Breaks (Hounslow): Short breaks provide opportunities for disabled children and young people to spend time away from their primary carers. They aim to provide parents and carers a necessary and valuable break away from their caring responsibilities in order to recharge their batteries. The short breaks are designed depending on your child’s level of need.
To find out whether your child is eligible, download the eligibility criteria from the website. To book onto a short break please call 020 8583 3636 or email shortbreaks@hounslow.gov.uk
Summer Holiday Activity and Food Programme: The HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) programme is open to all Hounslow children from reception to year 11 (inclusive) who receive benefits related Free School Meals. A voucher will be issued via your child’s school and can be used in the Holiday Activities and Food Programme and Short Breaks. The programme offers a whole host of activities which will be fun and enjoyable for your young person and the whole family. To find out more, please visit the HAF website
TAG Youth Club for disabled young people: 8-14 years and 15-25 years: offering a number of holiday activities.
United Response is running a series of activities throughout July and August for young people aged 18+. From art and dance, to fitness and karate, there is lots to keep your young person occupied. For more information download the United Response activity calendar
Mainstream Activities for All
Historic Royal Palaces for £1 – Historic Royal Palaces have introduced a low-cost entry scheme for people receiving Universal Credit and other benefits. Includes entry to Hampton Court Palace (and entry to Magic Garden), Kensington Palace and the Tower of London.
Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond – £1 Entry with proof of Universal Credit: World Famous botanical gardens with plenty of natural space for children and families to explore including the log trail, treetop walk, famous greenhouses and children’s garden play area:
Marble Hill Adventure Play Centres: Marble Hill Park, Twickenham: Range of outdoor play sessions free to children with disability and for families on Universal Credit. Families must register and book ahead to attend.
Adventure Playground: Age range is 5-15 years.
One O’clock Club: Outdoor Play sessions for children age 0-5. https://marblehillplaycentres.com/one-oclock-club/
Sparks Film School Teddington: Summer Movie Making: for 5-14 year olds, dates available from 28th July – 22nd August £360 for a week 10-4pm at Teddington Baptist Church
