Summer holiday activities and kids meals
Looking for ways to keep the children entertained without spending a fortune this summer? We’ve rounded up some of the best restaurants & cafés in and around Cambridge where children can eat for free—or for as little as £1—during the school holidays. Along with a nice list of family day out activities for you get some inspiration.
Kids meal deals
Most offers are available throughout the summer break, although some require you to download a loyalty app or purchase an adult main meal. As offers can change, it’s always worth checking with the venue before setting off.
Cambridge City Centre
Bill’s – One of the most generous offers available. Up to two children can eat free when one adult orders a main meal, Monday to Friday during the school holidays.
ASK Italian – Families signed up to the ASK Perks app can enjoy free children’s meals during the summer holidays.
Bella Italia – Children can enjoy a free three-course meal with every adult main meal on selected days during the holidays.
Zizzi – Members of the free Zillionaires’ Club can claim a complimentary three-course Bambini meal with every adult main ordered.
Smokeworks – Children aged 11 and under can eat free when an accompanying adult spends at least £10 on food.
Cambridge Leisure Park
If you’re planning a trip to the cinema or bowling, there are several family-friendly offers nearby.
- Frankie & Benny’s – Kids Eat Free promotions during the summer holidays.
- Chiquito – Free children’s meals with a paying adult during selected holiday promotions.
- BrewDog Cambridge – Up to two children can eat free with one paying adult during holiday offers.
Supermarket Cafés
These are often some of the best value options if you’re out shopping.
- Asda Café – Kids’ meals from just £1.
- Tesco Café – Free children’s meals with a qualifying adult purchase and Clubcard during selected promotions.
- Morrisons Café (Cambourne) – This summer, Morrisons and Kellogg’s are offering free breakfasts for both children and adults at participating cafés until early September.
- Dunelm Pausa Café (Cambridge) – Children eat free with a qualifying adult spend.
Top Tip
Most offers require:
- a paying adult purchasing a main meal;
- registration with the restaurant’s free loyalty app; or
- are only available on certain days or during school holidays.
It’s always worth checking the restaurant’s website before traveling to make sure the offer is still available.
Summer holiday activities
Keeping the children entertained over the six-week holidays doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Whether you’re looking for completely free adventures or affordable family attractions, there are plenty of fantastic places to explore within a short drive of Over and Bar Hill.
Here’s our pick of some of the best budget-friendly days out this summer.
FREE Family Days Out
Lammas Land, Cambridge
One of Cambridge’s most popular family destinations, with a large adventure playground, paddling pool, splash area (seasonal), open green spaces and plenty of room for picnics. It’s perfect for younger children and costs nothing to visit. Lammas Land
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Step inside ancient Egypt, admire impressive artwork and discover fascinating treasures—all completely free. During the summer holidays there are often family trails and children’s activities available. The Fitzwilliam Museum
Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences
Dinosaurs, fossils and giant prehistoric creatures are always a hit with children, and admission is free. Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences
Polar Museum
Explore the history of Arctic and Antarctic expeditions with hands-on exhibits and family-friendly displays. Free admission makes it an ideal rainy-day activity. The Polar Museum
Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
Discover mummies, ancient artefacts and fascinating cultures from around the world. Admission is free. Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
Cherry Hinton Hall Park
A brilliant park with wide open spaces, a fantastic play area and beautiful gardens. Great for burning off energy. Cherry Hinton Hall Park
Walk the River Cam
Pack a picnic and enjoy a stroll along the River Cam, watching the punts glide past. There are plenty of ducks, bridges and scenic picnic spots to enjoy.
Geocaching Around Over & Bar Hill
Download the free Geocaching app and turn an ordinary walk into a real-life treasure hunt. There are dozens of caches hidden around local villages and the Cambridge countryside.
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Great Value Family Days Out
Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Children aged 16 and under visit free, making this an affordable family day out. There are 40 acres of gardens to explore, wildlife to spot and family trails throughout the holidays. Cambridge University Botanic Garden
The Centre for Computing History
Perfect for gamers of all ages, with hundreds of playable retro computers and consoles. Most children (and adults!) can happily spend hours here. The Centre for Computing History
Milton Country Park
A favourite with local families featuring nature trails, lakes, adventure playgrounds, cafés and seasonal activities. Parking charges apply, but entry is free. Milton Country Park
Wimpole Estate
National Trust members can visit free, while non-members can enjoy a full day exploring the farm, gardens and parkland. The Home Farm is always popular with children. Wimpole Estate
National Trust Anglesey Abbey
Explore beautiful gardens, woodland walks and adventure play areas. Seasonal family trails run throughout the summer. Anglesey Abbey
Grafham Water
Cycle around part of the reservoir, enjoy waterside walks, let the children play or simply relax with a picnic. Grafham Water
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Summer Holiday Activities
Summer at the Museums
Over 20 museums across Cambridge are taking part in a packed programme of free and low-cost family activities, including craft sessions, trails, science demonstrations and hands-on workshops throughout the school holidays. Summer at the Museums
Cambridge City Council Summer Events
Families can enjoy free outdoor sports, music performances, climbing walls, games and community activities throughout the summer. Many events simply require you to turn up. Cambridge City Council Summer Events
Holiday Activities & Food Programme (HAF)
Eligible families can access free holiday clubs across Cambridgeshire, including sports, crafts, games and healthy meals throughout the summer holidays. HAF
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Budget-Friendly Ideas Closer to Home
You don’t always need to travel far to make lasting memories.
Why not:
- Take a bike ride along the guided busway
- Visit a Community Orchard
- Go pond dipping (where permitted)
- Build dens in a local woodland
- Have a family picnic at the village recreation ground
- Try a nature scavenger hunt
- Watch the sunset with an ice cream by the River Great Ouse
Our Top Five Picks
If we had to choose just five family favorites this summer, we’d recommend:
- Lammas Land
- Cambridge University Botanic Garden
- Summer at the Museums
- The Centre for Computing History
- Wimpole Estate
Top Tip
This summer many attractions are taking part in the Government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme, with reduced admission prices available until 1 September. It’s worth checking attraction websites before you book, as many are offering discounted tickets or special family deals.
