Find things to do or enjoying a day out during the holidays needn't cost a fortune, so we've picked out all the free and lower-cost events and activities that are taking place in and around Harpenden this summer.  Please note that some venues may have parking charges in addition to any activity charges listed.

Free Events

• On Wednesday 23rd July the annual Classics on the Common takes place on Harpenden Common
• Every Friday during August High Street Methodist Church are running their Stay & Play for under 5s, and there will also be lego and activities for older siblings
• On Wednesday 6th August the annual Teddy Bear's Picnic will take over Rothamsted Park
• And in Lydekker Park on Saturday 23rd August enjoy Music in Lydekker
• Dunstable Downs is hosting it's free Summer of Play Sport Village throughout the summer as well as a Festival of Archaeology: Family Walk (booking required) on 24th July and the annual Kites Connect Festival will be back on 2nd & 3rd August.
• Drop into Stockweood Discovery Centre on Tuesday and Thursdays for some Historical Nonsense on 4th - 6th August for the Stockwood Discovery Centre Garden Party.
• St Albans Cathedral is holding a summer-themed Family Discovery Morning on 21st August and 28th August
• And in St Albans Museum and Gallery celebrate South Asian Heritage Month at their Mini Mela on 16th August
• At Verulamium Park on 27th July explore Roman Verulamium with the team from Verulamium Museum as they are Painting up the Park
• And nearby at Grebe House on 7th August and 18th August drop-in for a session at the Wildlife Garden with the team from Herts Wildlife Trust.
• At Wardown House, Museum and Gallery in Luton there's a number of free, drop-ins you can enjoy over the summer...
  • Magical Playground (storytelling and collage making) on 28th & 29th July
  • People who live in the Skies (storytelling & dance) on 5th August
  • Play with Clay on 11th & 12th August
  • African Drumming and Storytelling on 18th & 19th August
  • Headdress Making on 26th & 27th August. 
• Redbourn Classic Motors Show and Village Fete takes place on 30th August - the event is free, but there is a suggested donation of £3 per adult for local charities.
• If you are visiting Natural History Museum Tring, get up close with sea life specimens and make an ocean animal craft in their Ocean Exploration sessions on 21st - 24th and 29th 31st July and 5th - 7th August. And SEND families can enjoy the museum during their SENDsational Morning (book ahead) on 17th August.
• Don't forget that free activities at Harpenden Library continue throughout the summer.
• And of course all of Harpenden's green spaces and play areas are free to enjoy any time!

Low-cost Activities

• On 14th 21st and 28th August (mornings), High Street Methodist Church are running drop-on Games & Glue sessions - £2 per child
• The Walled Garden at Luton Hoo has it's annual Bug Hunt on Friday 25th July, which is £5 for children and £3 for adults (under 2s go free).
• Burston Garden Centre are launching the first ever Burston Buds Movie Club on 30th July.  The £4 ticket price (per child, adults go free) includes a snack box - but unfortunately due to licensing restrictions you will have to pop into the store or give them a call to find out what movie they are showing! 
• Cineworld are running their £1 cinema screenings of a selection of family films over the summer.
• And Standalone Farm have 50% all their farm entry ticket prices all summer (excludes tickets for special events) meaning all tickets are less than £5 per person.
• There's a pop-up crazy golf course at Stockwood Discovery Centre all summer (book ahead - £5 per person).
• Flamstead Scarecrow Festival is a fun day out and this year takes place on 15th - 17th August and with suggested donations for entry (book ahead) of £5 per adult, £2 per child, or £10 for a family of four.
• Jordans Mill have a World Games Trail available all summer at £4 per trail (includes a prize)
• At RSPB Rye Meads you can enjoy Self-led pond-dipping (£4.50 per kit) every Thursday to Sunday, and their Super Senses Summer Trail (£2 per trail) throughout the summer.
• Hertford Museum have Summer family activities (£4 per child) with a different weekly theme running through the summer