Specific holiday camps to start with in Leicester
Holiday camp
Leicester City in the Community football camps
Sites such as Belvoir Drive / local academies (varies by holiday) · Football holiday camps for primary ages (check current age bands) · Paid day/week camps; Fox Cub / girls’ days sometimes listed separately
LCFC community football camps in school holidays with FA-licensed coaches — skills, matches and small-sided games. Book early for popular weeks, confirm drop-off sites and whether multi-sport days are running, and check age eligibility before assuming preschoolers can attend.
Official info →
Holiday camp
Holidays Together (Active Together HAF)
Venues across Leicestershire / Leicester eligibility rules apply · Free holiday activities and meals for eligible free-school-meals children · Free for eligible children — booking required each holiday
Active Together coordinates the Holiday Activities and Food programme (Holidays Together) for eligible school-age children. Check eligibility, booking windows and nearest venues every holiday — places go quickly and city vs county rules can differ, so read the current Active Together pages carefully.
Official info →
Holiday camp
Rocket Holiday Camps
Leicester venues (e.g. school sites such as Orchard Mead — check current list) · Multi-activity school-holiday camps (gymnastics, dance and sports mix) · Paid day camps; sibling discounts sometimes available
Multi-activity holiday camps that have run at Leicester school venues with gymnastics, dance and sports blocks. Confirm the current holiday’s venue list and age range before booking, and ask about extended days if you need full childcare cover.
Official info →
Holiday camp
Adams Gymnastics holiday courses
Adams Gymnastics Centre, Leicester · Gymnastics-focused holiday courses for club and non-club children · Paid holiday course fees — check club holiday timetable
Holiday gymnastics courses from the same coaching team as term-time Adams classes — useful if your child already trains there or wants a gymnastics-heavy week. Book early, confirm age/ability groups, and clarify whether non-members can join specific weeks.
Official info →
Holiday camp
Oxygen Activeplay Leicester holiday sessions
Oxygen / Boost Leicester trampoline park · High-energy holiday trampoline sessions and after-school style offers · Paid sessions; look for holiday and after-school packages
Trampoline-park sessions that intensify in school holidays — practical when you need a half-day energy burn rather than a full registered camp. Pre-book holiday slots, check age zoning, and treat it as activity cover rather than formal childcare unless a supervised camp package is explicitly advertised.
Official info →
What to look for in Leicester
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.