Specific holiday camps to start with in Brighton
Holiday camps
Brighton & Hove Holiday Activities and Food (HAF)
Providers across Brighton & Hove; booked through the council · Reception to Year 11 children on targeted free school meals · Free for eligible children, with a healthy meal; booking required
Government-funded holiday clubs with sport, arts, music, drama and outdoor activities over the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays. For October 2026 and February 2027 half-terms there are a small number of family sessions, where an eligible child must attend with an adult, who is also fed. From September 2026, eligibility is targeted free school meals only.
Official info →
Holiday camps
Brighton & Hove Albion Soccer Schools
Brighton venue plus others across Sussex · Ages 5–13 (Brighton camp); boys and girls holiday football · £30 for the three-day Brighton camp, 26–28 October 2026, 9am–3pm; some funded places for families who need support
Albion Foundation holiday football with UEFA-qualified coaches, running every school holiday and half-term for more than 30 years. Summer camps can sell out, so book early, and ask about the small number of places held back for families who need financial help.
Official info →
Holiday camps
SuperCamps at Brighton Girls
Temple Gardens, off Montpelier Road (BN1 3AE) · Ages 4–12; multi-activity holiday camps · £62 a day or £280 a week in October 2026; 9am–5pm, extended 8am–6pm; Tax-Free Childcare and childcare vouchers accepted
Ofsted-registered multi-activity camps in the city centre, using the school's sports facilities, dance studios and outdoor spaces, with sport, art, LEGO and outdoor games grouped by age. Book by the day or the week.
Official info →
Holiday camps
V.I.M Camps Hove
Brunswick Primary School, Hove · Primary-age children from any school; sports, crafts and games · Paid daily places; Tax-Free Childcare and childcare vouchers accepted; sibling discounts
Ofsted-registered holiday club that is new to Hove for October half-term 2026 (26–28 October, 9am–3pm), with team games, LEGO challenges, den building and seasonal crafts. Children do not need to attend Brunswick to book.
Official info →
Holiday camps
Lagoon Watersports Kids Activity Week
Hove Lagoon, Kingsway, Hove (BN3 4LX) · Ages 8–14, water confident; no experience needed · Typically £440 for the week or £95 a day; tuition, wetsuits and kit included
A week of windsurfing, sailing, paddleboarding, kayaking, wakeboarding and raft building, running Monday to Friday, 9am–2:30pm, in May half-term and the summer holidays. Children bring a packed lunch, and the week ends with certificates and a parents' catch-up.
Official info →
What to look for in Brighton
Holiday Camps vary by age, timetable and provider style. Parents usually get the best results by checking practical details first: location, session length, costs, age range, booking terms and how the provider handles safety and communication.
Good for planning
Shortlist options that fit your normal school run, weekend routine or holiday dates before comparing extras.
Questions to ask
Ask about trial sessions, what is included, staff checks, cancellation terms and what your child needs to bring.
Parent tip
Keep one backup option nearby in case a class is full, a camp sells out or weather changes your plans.
Types of holiday camp
Multi-activity camps
A broad mix of games, crafts and sports. Often the easiest choice for siblings or children who like variety, but check how the day is structured so quieter children are not overwhelmed.
Sports camps
Football, swimming, tennis, gymnastics, cricket and multi-sport camps suit children who want an active week. Ask whether beginners are welcome and whether children are grouped by age or ability.
Creative and specialist camps
Drama, coding, art, music, dance, cooking and outdoor adventure camps can be better for children with a clear interest or for families who want a calmer alternative to full-day sport.
Choose by holiday and age
- February and October half term: Prioritise indoor space, wet-weather plans and shorter journeys after darker evenings.
- Easter: Look for flexible single days if family plans are split across the break.
- Summer holidays: Book popular weeks early, especially for wraparound hours, sibling places and camps near commuter routes.
- Reception to Year 2: Shorter days, familiar venues and clear toilet, snack and rest routines matter more than a packed timetable.
- Older primary and secondary: Choice, challenge and friendship groups often matter most, so ask whether children can pick activities or move into older groups.
Before booking
- Check drop-off and pick-up times, early starts, late collection charges and whether someone else can collect with a password.
- Confirm staff ratios, safeguarding policies, first-aid cover, food arrangements, allergy handling and medication procedures.
- Ask what children need to bring: packed lunch, water bottle, sun cream, spare clothes, waterproofs, swimming kit or specialist equipment.
- Read cancellation, sickness and refund terms before paying, especially if you rely on the camp for childcare cover.
- For children with additional needs, contact the provider before booking so support, quiet space, communication and ratios can be discussed properly.
Holiday camp or other childcare?
Holiday camps are useful when children enjoy busy group days, but they are not the only answer. Younger children, anxious starters or families with irregular work patterns may do better with a mix of camp days, family help, playdates, local activities and quieter days at home. If you need reliable work cover, prioritise booking terms, backup contacts and wraparound hours over exciting extras.
Best for full work days
Choose camps with clear early drop-off, late pick-up, lunch arrangements and a named contact during the day.
Best for confidence
Start with single days, familiar venues, friends attending or specialist camps based on an interest your child already likes.
Best for mixed siblings
Look for age-banded groups in the same venue so siblings have suitable activities without creating two separate journeys.
What to pack for camp
- Named water bottle, lunch and snacks unless food is clearly provided.
- Weather-appropriate layers: sun hat and sun cream in summer, waterproofs and spare socks for outdoor camps.
- Any medication, allergy instructions or care plan agreed with the provider.
- Comfortable clothes your child can manage independently, especially for younger children.
- A written note of who is collecting if the provider asks for passwords or authorised adults.
Cost and practical checks
Compare the real day cost
Include booking fees, extended hours, lunch, trips, equipment hire and sibling discounts. A cheaper base price is not always cheaper once wraparound care is added.
Plan the first morning
Save confirmation emails, label belongings and tell your child who will collect them. An easy first drop-off makes the rest of the week smoother.
Have a backup
Keep one alternative camp or family day plan in mind in case a week sells out, your child is unsettled or work plans change.
Use the holiday camp checklist before booking, compare school holiday childcare options, look at regular children's activities for term time, or browse free things to do for no-spend holiday days.