Things to do over the summer holidays
Week 5 (18 August - 24 August)
SEND-specific activities
Aiming High activities
Stoke-on-Trent Aiming High is a programme full of exciting, fun and safe activities for children with special educational needs and disabilities in Stoke-on-Trent, up until the age of 18. Each child can book between 2-4 sessions per month dependent on their needs. We will tell you how many sessions you can book. Please feel free to browse at and book at Stoke-on-Trent Aiming High · Eequ. The team can be contacted at Aiming.High@stoke.gov.uk We look forward to welcoming your child.
Aiming High - Gather the Community - Gather 4 Fun
- 2, Elsing Street, Stoke-on-Trent, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2PR
- Tuesday 19 August, 10am - 3pm
- A fun blend of fitness, games, arts & crafts
- For full details and to book, visit Gather the Community with Gather the Community · Eequ
- Free through Aiming High
Aiming High - Sportworks activity sessions (ages 7 - 14)
- The Yard, Forest Road, Meir, ST3 7BY
- Saturday 23 August, 10am - 12pm - for ages 12-14
- Saturday 23 August, 1pm - 3pm - for ages 7-11
- Sportsworks say, "Families can look forward to fun-filled, active sessions that are designed to be inclusive, relaxed and welcoming. From creative team games and movement activities to confidence-building challenges and opportunities to learn new skills, each session offers something different and exciting."
- For full details and to book, visit Sportworks Aiming High Activity Sessions with Sportworks LTD · Eequ
- Free through Aiming High
Aiming High - The Grand Family Treasure Hunt at the New Vic
- New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle, ST5 0JG
- Wednesday 20 August, 11am - 3pm
- For full details and to book visit: Yes Let's! at the New Vic with New Vic Theatre · Eequ
- Free through Aiming High
SEND-specific activities in the community
Peter Pan stay and play group (age 0-5)
- Port Vale Family Hub (previously known as Bescura Hub), Hamil Road, Burslem, ST6 1AW - Monday, 18 August, 10am - 12pm
- Hazel Trees, Duke Street, Fenton, ST4 3NR - Thursday 21 August, 1pm - 3pm
- Relaxed and friendly sessions for families with young children who require extra support.
- For more information or to book, please call 01782 715 219 or email familysupport@thepeterpancentre.co.uk
- £5
Accessible canoeing and kayaking with Green Door
- Longton Park, Trentham Rd, Dresden, ST3 4AZ
- Wednesday 13 August, 11am - 3pm (sessions last 30 minutes)
- Wednesday 20 August, 11am - 3pm (sessions last 30 minutes)
- Canoeing and kayaking sessions, supported by instructors. There are a range of unique adaptations for those with disabilities and supported needs.
- Please see Accessible Canoeing and Kayaking gallery (green-door.org.uk) for more information
- No need to book, just turn up and paddle!
- Suitable for all ages apart from babies.
- £6 per adult, £4 per child (16 and under). You will have 30 minutes on the water.
Youth Pan Disability Football (ages 8-11)
- Port Vale Foundation, Tommy Cheadle’s, Entrance C, ST6 1AW
- Tuesday 19 August, 5pm – 6pm
- Youth PAN disability football sessions aimed at young people aged between 8 and 11 years old, providing young people with the opportunity to enjoy and play football whilst developing their skills and confidence.
- Book at Book Youth Pan Disability Football (ages 8-11)
- You can find out more information by calling 01782 757066
- For ages 8-11
- Free
Dimensions Sensory Splash session
- Dimensions Leisure Centre Scotia Road, Burslem, ST6 4ET
- Friday 22 August 7-8pm
- Sunday 24 August, 9-10am
- A SEND sensory family session will be in a fun-filled environment designed to stimulate and engage different senses.
- £4.90 per person, carers free.
- For more information and booking: • Call us at 01782 233500 • Email us at dimensions@stoke.gov.uk
Other activities you may enjoy:
These activities are not SEND-specific but have been identified by the organisers as being SEND-inclusive. All information is provided by the organisers. Please do contact them to find out any further details that are important for your family.
Alice Charity Fun Day
- Meir Community Education Centre, Pickford Pl, Meir, Stoke-on-Trent ST3 7DY
- Tuesday 19 August, 11am - 3pm
- Activities and information from a number of local organisations including Project Indi and PEGiS
- Free
Ready, Steady, School with Family Hubs (ages 0-12 years)
- Monday 18 August - 1:30-3pm - Chell Heath Family Hub, Bishops Road, Chell Heath, ST6 6QW (0-3 years only)
- Tuesday 19 August - 10am - 12pm - Family Hubs @ Hanley Market, Potteries Shopping Centre Basement, ST1 1PP (0-12 years)
- Friday 22 August - 10am - 12pm - Shelton Family Hub, College Road, Shelton, ST4 2DQ (0-12 years)
- Crafts, games, sensory play and fun activities
- Quiet spaces will be available.
- Free
Family Hub sensory rooms (all ages)
- We have 3 FREE sensory rooms in our Family Hubs that will be open during the summer holidays. They are suitable for any age and can be therapeutic for people with a wide range of different needs.Please call to book an hour slot.
- Chell Heath Family Hub, Bishops Road, Chell Heath, ST6 6QW - telephone 01782 232 977
- Normacot Family Hub, Buccleuch Road, Normacot, ST3 4RF - telephone 01782 237 500
- Shelton Family Hub, College Road, Shelton, ST4 2DQ - telephone 01782 237 100
Family Hub play spaces (ages 0 - 7)
- We have 3 FREE play spaces in our Family Hubs that will be open during the summer holidays. ALL children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Bentilee Family Hub, Dawlish Drive, Bentilee, ST2 0HW - open Monday to Friday - 9am - 5pm
- Normacot Family Hub, Buccleuch Road, Normacot, ST3 4RF - open Monday to Friday - 9am - 4:30pm
- Family Hubs @ Hanley Market, Potteries Shopping Centre Basement, ST1 1PP - open Monday to Friday - 9am - 4:45pm
Exploring Sound - Music & Science Summer Club (ages 4 - 12)
- Tuesday 19 August, 1-3pm - Brampton Museum, Newcastle, ST5 0QP
- Thursday 21 August, 1-4pm - St John's Centre, Newcastle Road, Trent Vale, ST4 6QD
- Tutorage say, "Our sessions are designed to be inclusive with small group sizes and high staff ratios, we have experience working with a range of students and can accommodate students with EHCPs. The Brampton is also accessible. However, if your child needs 1:1 support please contact us to discuss availability as we have limited space and staffing."
- "Experiment with sound, learn about waves and make your own musical instrument. Lots of musical activities, games and creative science."
- Good to know: the venue is wheelchair-accessible with wheelchair accessible toilet facilities.
- To book, visit Tutorage CIC event tickets from TicketSource.
- Cost: pay what you can afford
Dangerous and deadly animal experience
- The Unconventional Menagerie, Market Street, Longton, ST3 1BE
- Wednesday 20 August, 1pm - 2pm
- Sessions must be prebooked
- Animal based learning with a animals on approach.
- Good to know:The Unconventional Menagerie say, "This is all focused around animals so completely inclusive, our staff are all SEN trained and experienced."
- For more informaion and to book a place, please call 01782 593 819,
- All ages
- £5 per child
The Big Feast
- Stoke-on-Trent City Centre (Hanley)
- Friday 22 and Saturday 23 August
- The Big Feast is a two-day, festival-style event where you can see some of the best artists from across the UK – and beyond – on the streets of Hanley. It’s a thrill for the senses that often includes circus, outdoor theatre, singing, dancing and other things that simply defy description. Visit the website for more information: The Big Feast is Back for August 2025! (The Big Feast is NOT a food festival!)
- Do you want to come along but have some questions or need support? Please get in touch - we would love to help: call 01782 381 373
- Free, all ages welcome
SPACE sessions
- The SPACE scheme are running fun activities for 8-17 year olds during the school summer holiday across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
- The contact details of the session providers are available in the session details, please contact them with any specific questions.
- Many varied activities including sports, creative, fun days, days out, outdoor and learning.
- Activities can be viewed and booked at https://staffordshirespace.uk/
- Ages: 8-17
- Cost: varies - some activities are free, some are payable
CAFAG Summer Fair (all ages welcome)
- The Whitfield Valley Centre, Fegg Hayes Road Fegg Hayes, ST6 6QR
- Thursday 21 August, 10am - 2pm
- Fun for the whole family: face painting, food and stalls; tin can alley, penalty shootout, soak a manager in the stocks.
- For more information call 01782 878 843
- Free entry.
Clay Ozzy Owls at Potteries Museum and Art Gallery
- Bethesda St, Hanley, ST1 3DW
- Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 August
- Drop in activity 10:30-12:00 and 13:00-3:00
- Using our very own Slipware owl jug as inspiration make your own clay pinch pot Ozzy owl to take home
- No need to book in advance. Call 01782 23 23 23 for more information or visit Events
- £3.50 per child. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Big Cup community playgroup (ages 0-5)
- Tuesday 19 August 1:30-3pm - Middleport Matters Community Hub, St Paul’s Church, Church Square, Dalehall. ST6 4BY
- Thursday 21 August, 9:30am - 11:30am - Normacot Family Hub, Buccleuch Road, Normacot, ST3 4RF
- Inclusive playgroup for children age 0-5.
- Good to know: venues are wheelchair-accessible with wheelchair-accessible toilet facilities. Playgroup leads have all completed SEND awareness and autism awareness training.
- If you have any questions, or would like to discuss anything before your visit, you are very welcome to contact Kelly or Lisa on 01782 614 838
- Free
Minibeast Stampers at Brampton Museum (age 5+)
- Brampton Museum, Newcastle, ST5 0QP
- Wednesday 20 August 11am - 2pm
- Go on a bug hunt in the Brampton wildlife garden and then make your own collage using minibeast stampers.
- Designed for children over 5 but with younger siblings welcome to join the fun, colouring sheets will be available.
- To find out more information about the event and venue, and to book tickets, please visit Family Craft for the Summer Holidays at Brampton Museum.
- Do let us know in advance if your child has any access needs or if there is anything we can do make the sessions more accessible e.g. ear defenders and an autism-friendly quiet space.
- Suitable for all ages
- Free