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This is your one-stop site for everything you need to know about living in Harpenden with children.
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HCTG offers weekly drama classes for children ages 3-18 (divided into age-groups). These classes offer a combination of singing, acting and dance and each class works towards a production at the end of every term, in a real live theatre, with a real live audience, where everyone gets a chance to shine! The productions include professional scenery, costumes, crew, lighting and a ‘live’ band. We run 2 terms a year (September to January and February to July)
Our summer picks feature is dedicated to things families can enjoy that are FREE!
Hertfordshire County Council's HAPpY Holiday Programme is back offering free places on a variety of holiday clubs around the county. Your child has to be in receipt of benefit-related free school meals to be eligible for this one.
Harpenden Squash Club are offering free 3 and 5 day camps for ages 5-18 in August. Text “details” to 07817 182337 for more information.
If you have a young person aged 13-17 living with or at risk of poor emotional well-being, Herts Services for Young People in conjunction with Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust are running free sessions enabling them to spend time outdoors taking part in nature-based activities and learning about local wildlife. More information about these sessions, including times, dates and details on how to book can be found on their website.
Classics on the Common takes place on 27th July when hundreds of classic cars and motorbikes descend on the Common. It’s a great spectacle and a nice way to spend the afternoon. Entry is free, though if you are able, a donation to charity is most welcome.
And the following week, on 3rd August in Lydekker Park, the Teddy Bear’s Picnic takes place. Take your picnic, take your Teddy and enjoy some free fun for little ones.
Also for little ones, Baby Rhyme Time and Storytime continue at the library throughout the summer. Note that you have book in advance for Baby Rhyme Time.
And for older children, they can join in with the Summer Reading Challenge. If you have teenagers it’s worth enquiring at the library to see if they need any more volunteers to help with the scheme.
St Albans Museum is free to enter and this summer they have a free trail map with questions and puzzles that you can pick up at the welcome desk.
St Albans Cathedral are running their free Family Discovery Mornings on three Thursdays in August. Each is on a different theme - Romans, Tudors and Victorians - and includes a craft activity. There’s also a free storytelling session with Tales from the Hart on 26th July.
Stockwood Discovery Centre, another attraction that’s free to visit, is holding a free Garden Party on 6th August, 20th August & 3rd September which will include theatre, storytelling, puppetry and you can take part in a finale parade at the end of the day
As well as enjoying a walk and kite-flying at Dunstable Downs you can take part in their free Summer of Sport including 5-aside football pitch, cricket pitch, athletics track, volleyball court, tennis court, table tennis table and family games, all self-led.
A bit further away, but Tring Natural History Museum is free to enter and has Under the Sea Crafts running on various mid-week dates throughout the summer as well as a Roald Dahl-themed session based on James and the Giant Peach on 24th August. You can also explore the galleries with an Ocean Adventure Trail sheet for only £1.
Also a bit further, but if you have a SEN child, Aldenham Country SEND Pavillion & Playground is 10 years old and is celebrating the event by offering free entry to all SEND families throughout the summer.
At the end of the summer there annual Classic Car Show and Village Fete will be on Redbourn Common and entry to the event is free.
Several years ago we wrote an article listing free or low-cost things to enjoy in and around Harpenden.
There’s also our Enjoying the Great Outdoors in Harpenden article, most of which are free to do.
You can also filter the listing in our Things To Do section to show places and activities that are free.
We hope that’s plenty to keep you and the family busy and entertained throughout the summer without burning too much of a hole in your pocket!
If you have child starting secondary school this September, Stevensons in Harpenden and St Albans will be open for appointments only on weekdays from 11th July to 21st August. On Saturdays 9am - 5pm you can walk-in.
From 22nd August to 4th September both stores will be open for walk-ins only and will be operating extended hours of 9am - 7pm Monday to Saturday and 10am - 4pm on Sundays.
If you would like to book an appointment you can watch their video below:
Click here for full store opening times.
If this is your first child heading off to secondary school you might like to read our tips for a smooth transition.
Saturday Stories
(FREE)
13th August
Harpenden Library, Harpenden
Summer Holiday Pottery Painting with Glaze Time
17th August
Inn on the Green, Harpenden
Charlie Locke and the Quest for Confidence
17th August
The Eric Morecambe Centre, Harpenden
Discover Hedgehogs
23rd August
Hornbeam Hedgehog Sanctuary, Harpenden
Summer Holiday Pottery Painting with Glaze Time
24th August
Inn on the Green, Harpenden
Music in Lydekker
(FREE)
27th August
Lydekker Park, Harpenden
Summer Holiday Pottery Painting with Glaze Time
31st August
Inn on the Green, Harpenden
Brambleton Model Railway Club Autumn Open Day
3rd September
Brambleton Model Railway Club, Harpenden
Pregnancy and Birth Circle - Doula Led Hypnobirthing and MORE!
6th September
Kinsbourne Barn, Harpenden
I Spy with my Little Eye
18th September
The Eric Morecombe Centre, Harpenden
Made in Dagenham: The Musical
5th October
- 8th October
The Eric Morecambe Centre, Harpenden
The Roman Theatre Open Air Festival
24th May
- 21st August
The Roman Theatre St Albans, St Albans
Tring: Ocean Adventure Trail
19th July
- 31st August
Natural History Museum at Tring, Tring
Family Activities @ IWM Duxford
21st July
- 4th September
IWM Duxford, Duxford
KidsFest
22nd July
- 31st August
Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park, Waltham Abbey
Summer Senses Activity Trail at RSPB Rye Meads
23rd July
- 4th September
RSPB Rye Meads, Stansted Abbotts
The Ultimate Animal Challenge
23rd July
- 4th September
Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable
Summer Games Trail
23rd July
- 4th September
Jordans Mill, Broom
Festival of Fun @ Mead Open Farm
23rd July
- 29th August
Mead Open Farm, Billington
Summer Spectacular
23rd July
- 4th September
Willows Activity Farm, London Colney
Summer Holidays at de Havilland Aircraft Museum
23rd July
- 31st August
de Havilland Aircraft Museum, London Colney
Summer of Sport at Dunstable Downs
(FREE)
25th July
- 4th September
Dunstable Downs, Dunstable
Birds of Prey
8th August
- 12th August
Standalone Farm, Letchworth Garden City
Crafts in the Colonnade
8th August
- 12th August
Verulamium Museum, St Albans
Feel the Force Summer Science Festival
11th August
- 3rd September
Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury
Pond Dipping at RSPB Rye Meads
12th August
RSPB Rye Meads, Stansted Abbotts
Pond Dipping at RSPB Rye Meads
13th August
RSPB Rye Meads, Stansted Abbotts
Tudor Secrets and Seals - Family Workshop
13th August
St Albans Cathedral, St Albans
The Great War
13th August
- 14th August
Chiltern Open Air Museum, Gorelands Lane
Amazing People, Amazing Machines - Family Guided Tours
13th August
Bletchley Park, Bletchley
Drop Spinning Workshop
13th August
Verulamium Museum, St Albans
Tudor Legacies
13th August
Hatfield House, Hatfield
Saturday Stories
(FREE)
13th August
Harpenden Library, Harpenden
The Nickelodeon Experience
14th August
- 27th August
Knebworth House, Knebworth
PAW Patrol's Marshall & Skye!
14th August
Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Aylesbury
Minibeast Mondays at RSPB Rye Meads
15th August
RSPB Rye Meads, Stansted Abbotts
Crafts in the Colonnade
15th August
- 19th August
Verulamium Museum, St Albans
Summer at Shuttleworth: Get Creative!
15th August
Shuttleworth, Biggleswade
Dinosaur Crafts
16th August
The Forest Centre, Marston Moretaine
Demystifying Shakespeare - Family Workshop
16th August
St Albans Cathedral, St Albans
Summer Holidays At Hertford Museum
16th August
- 18th August
Hertford Museum, Hertford
August Terrific Tuesdays
16th August
Chiltern Open Air Museum, Gorelands Lane
Puzzles and Pastimes - Activities for Families
16th August
- 18th August
Bletchley Park, Bletchley
Highfield Park Forest School
16th August
Highfield Park Pavillion, St Albans
The Importance of Being Earnest
16th August
Knebworth House & Gardens, Stevenage
Dinosaur Activity Trail
17th August
- 23rd August
The Forest Centre, Marston Moretaine
Pond Dipping at RSPB Rye Meads
17th August
RSPB Rye Meads, Stansted Abbotts
Summer Holiday Pottery Painting with Glaze Time
17th August
Inn on the Green, Harpenden
Theatrical Times
17th August
Welwyn Roman Baths, Welwyn
Rapunzel: A Tangled Musical Adventure
17th August
Alban Arena, St Albans
Charlie Locke and the Quest for Confidence
17th August
The Eric Morecambe Centre, Harpenden
Under the Sea Craft
(FREE)
18th August
Natural History Museum at Tring, Tring
Junk Boat Modelling
18th August
St Albans Museum and Gallery, St Albans
Summer at Shuttleworth: Get Creative!
18th August
Shuttleworth, Biggleswade
Make a Brooch
18th August
Mill Green Museum & Mill, Hatfield
Terrific Tudors | Family Discovery Morning
(FREE)
18th August
St Albans Cathedral, St Albans
Here's the latest recommendations from our visitors and followers. If you'd like to add a recommendation for a business or organisation search for their listing here on the site and click on the Recommend This button.
"I really enjoyed the 6WeekSocial course and got a great deal from it. Definitely more than I expected to! It's my second child and I'm new to the area. I signed up to the course to meet people in the area with babies of a similar age; I didn't pay too much attention to the specialists / informative element if honest (especially being baby no. 2). However not only have I made great connections from it, I've learnt so much. The specialists are brilliant, sharing both interesting and inspiring information / content. The programme is well put together, with each session proving really valuable. I loved the learning part, and how great to do it such a friendly, warm environment. A lot of questions were asked and answered! Tracey is lovely. I will miss it a lot."
"What a great time my grandson has (me too to be honest) Rich is truly entertaining not only for the children but for the parents/grandparents etc with his funny dressing up, dancing, singing and jokes for the adults. Highly recommend !!!"
"I participated in 6WeekSocial after having my second baby. It's a great way to meet other Mums going through similar challenges and the specialists each week provided really useful information that supported my journey as mum of two. Tracey also has a wealth of knowledge to share and I will miss seeing her every week! "
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Why not browse through some of the listings we have recently added to the site...
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