Free Summer Fun in Sheffield: Kid-Friendly Activities for Families
Summer in Sheffield offers countless opportunities for families to enjoy the great outdoors without breaking the bank. Whether you're a member of Sheffield Credit Union looking for budget-friendly activities or simply seeking fun ways to keep the children entertained during the holidays, our beautiful city has something for everyone. Here's our guide to the best free summer activities that will keep your little ones happy and engaged.
Explore Sheffield's Magnificent Parks and Playgrounds
Graves Park - Sheffield's Crown Jewel
Free Entry | Parking: £1 per hour or £4 all day
Website: www.welcometosheffield.co.uk/content/attractions/graves-park
At 248 acres, Graves Park is Sheffield's largest park and offers something for everyone. This magnificent space combines open greenspace with woodland areas, featuring several streams flowing through it. The park boasts two excellent children's playgrounds, perfect for burning off energy on those long summer days.
Special Features:
- Free Animal Farm: Get up close with Tamworth pigs, Highland cattle, Jacob sheep, goats, donkeys, and many more animals at Graves Park Animal Farm, which is completely free to visit.
- Sports Facilities: Tennis courts, cricket pitches, football fields, bowling greens, and a free pitch and putt course that's open all summer
- Rose Garden Café: Perfect for a rest and refreshment
Rivelin Valley - Nature's Playground
Free Entry | Free Parking
Location: Rivelin Valley Road, Sheffield
Rivelin Valley offers some of the best wild swimming spots within Sheffield city limits, perfect for adventurous families during summer. Children can enjoy paddling and playing with interactive water play equipment at Rivelin Valley Water Play, which opens from Spring Bank Holiday onwards and closes the first weekend of September.
What to Expect:
- Beautiful waterfalls and stepping stones
- Multiple wild swimming spots including the popular stone bridge area
- Woodland walks with stunning scenery
- Art installations celebrating Sheffield's heritage
- Picnic areas throughout the valley
Sheffield Botanical Gardens
Free Entry | Suggested Donation Welcome
Location: Clarkehouse Road, Sheffield S10 2LN
Website: Contact Sheffield City Council for details
These stunning gardens are a true gem, featuring wildly varied exotic and historical gardens right in the heart of Ecclesall Road. Home to 5,000 species of plants spread across 19 acres, this Grade II listed botanical garden offers a unique opportunity for visitors to explore and learn about a wide variety of plant species.
Perfect for families to explore together, enjoy picnics, and let children discover the wonders of nature in beautifully maintained surroundings.
Free Museums and Cultural Attractions
Weston Park Museum
Free Entry | Suggested Donation £5
Location: Weston Park, Sheffield
Website: www.sheffieldmuseums.org.uk/visit-us/weston-park-museum
Closed Mondays
Weston Park Museum tells the stories of Sheffield and its people, from pre-history to present day. The museum features exhibitions about Sheffield, history, art, and plenty of nature and science themes, with changing exhibitions ensuring there's usually something new to discover.
Current Exhibitions Include:
- Ancient Egypt gallery featuring pharaohs, pyramids, mummies and myths
- Natural science showcase with Spike the Woolly Rhino and company
- Sheffield's African Caribbean community stories
Kelham Island Museum
Free Entry | Suggested Donation £5
Location: Alma Street, Sheffield S3 8RY
Website: www.sheffieldmuseums.org.uk/visit-us/kelham-island-museum
Kelham Island Museum celebrates 300 years of Sheffield making history, exploring the story of making in the city from master craftsmen to mass production. Don't miss the mighty River Don Engine - the most powerful working steam engine in Europe - in action at 12pm and 2pm Thursday to Sunday.
Family-Friendly Features:
- Little alphabet trail and opportunities for children to dress up
- Interactive 1916 House where families can step back in time
- Little Mesters Street showcasing Sheffield's craftspeople heritage
Millennium Gallery
Free Entry | Suggested Donation £5
Location: Sheffield City Centre (next to Winter Gardens)
Website: https://www.sheffieldmuseums.org.uk/visit-us/millennium-gallery/
Located in the heart of Sheffield, the Millennium Gallery opened in April 2001 as part of the city's Heart of the City project to revitalise the city centre and promote cultural activities. The gallery features changing exhibitions alongside permanent collections.
Additional Free Museums Worth Visiting:
- Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet - A unique industrial museum on a former steel-working site along the River Sheaf, with history dating back to the 13th century
- Bishops' House - A half-timbered house from around 1500, one of three surviving timber-framed houses in Sheffield
- Shepherd Wheel - A working museum in a former water-powered grinding workshop on the Porter Brook
City Centre Discoveries
Sheffield Winter Garden
Free Entry
Location: Sheffield City Centre
Visit the Winter Garden to wander amongst 2,500+ plants from around the world. It's the ideal place for families to enjoy nature even when it's cold or raining, as you're fully sheltered inside. Right outside, you'll find the Peace Gardens - a beautiful city square perfect for picnics and people-watching.
Peace Gardens
Free Entry
Location: Sheffield City Centre (next to Town Hall)
A beautiful inner city square where families can sit and admire the surrounding architecture or enjoy a packed lunch. Sometimes there are seasonal events like markets in summer and music concerts.
Summer Holiday Activities and Events
Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF)
Free for Eligible Families
Website: www.sheffield.gov.uk/schools-childcare/holiday-activities-and-food-programme
The HAF programme provides free holiday club sessions for school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) who receive income-assessed/benefits-related free school meals during Easter, summer and winter holidays. Children receive a nutritious meal whilst enjoying various activities at the clubs.
Sheffield Children's University Activities
buy a Passport to Learning for £3.50 from Sheffield Libraries | Donations Welcome
Website: www.sheffield.gov.uk/schools-childcare/childrens-university
Join the Festival of Fun for free taster activities during summer holidays. Children can earn credits in their Passport to Learning, with activities catering to children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Library Activities
Free Entry
Contact: Local Sheffield Libraries
Libraries in Sheffield host lots of activities during the holidays for children and young people of all needs. All venues are wheelchair accessible and all sessions are inclusive.
Unique Sheffield Experiences
University Arts Tower Paternoster Lift
Free Entry (when university is open)
Location: Sheffield University Arts Tower
As long as you're quiet and respectful, it's free to visit Sheffield University Arts Tower and ride the unique paternoster lift - a continuously moving lift where you jump on and off at your own risk. It's possibly the most unique of all free activities in Sheffield!
Pop-Up Markets and Community Events
Free to Browse
Various Locations
During summer, more and more pop-up markets can be explored for free around Sharrow Vale, Nether Edge and other lovely community spots across the city.
Planning Your Summer Adventures
Getting the Most from Your Visits:
- Pack Picnics: Most parks have excellent picnic areas, so bring your own food to keep costs down
- Check Weather: Sheffield's changeable weather means it's always good to have indoor backup plans
- Parking: Many attractions offer free parking, but some (like Graves Park) have small charges
- Donations: While entry is free to museums, small donations help keep these fantastic resources available for everyone
Top Tips for Families:
- Start Early: Popular attractions can get busy during school holidays
- Bring Water: Stay hydrated during summer activities, especially in parks
- Comfortable Shoes: Sheffield's parks offer excellent walking opportunities
- Camera Ready: Plenty of photo opportunities to capture family memories
- Check Opening Times: Some attractions have limited hours or close on certain days
Making Memories on a Budget
Sheffield truly is a fantastic city for families, offering an incredible range of free activities that prove the best things in life don't cost a penny. From exploring ancient woodlands to discovering the city's industrial heritage, from splashing in natural swimming holes to marvelling at exotic plants, there's something to capture every child's imagination.
Sheffield is wonderfully green with surprising wild swimming opportunities, beautiful botanical gardens, and fantastic green walks where you can move from park to park without feeling like you're in a city.
Whether you're planning a full day out or just need a quick activity to keep the children entertained, Sheffield's free summer offerings provide endless opportunities for family fun, learning, and adventure. So grab your picnic blankets, pack some snacks, and discover what makes Sheffield such a special place for families to explore together.
Have we missed your favourite free family activity in Sheffield? Share your recommendations with other Sheffield Credit Union members and help us create an even better resource for families in our community.