Find great ideas for days out with kids in Gloucestershire and the best family friendly events happening summer 2024. The Gloucestershire summer holiday activities guide is packed full with big family days out or smaller, local ideas.   If you’re working and looking for summer childcare, then check out the summer holiday camps in Gloucestershire guide.

Up for exploring a little further afield?  Check out the summer events guide for Oxfordshire.

Gloucestershire Summer Activities & Events for Kids 2024

Outdoor Summer Adventures in Gloucestershire

Gruffalo Party Trail at Westonbirt Arboretum

The interactive family trail features all sorts of party-themed activities and games, along with fun facts to teach you about life in the forest for the Gruffalo and other creature.  Westonbirt Arboretum is a great family day out for all ages.  Check out our Westonbirt Arboretum review

• The Big Batsford Hedgehog Hunt at Batsford Arboretum 13th July – 1st September
• Canoe Safari Trail at Slimbridge Wetland Centre (Bowditch) all summer
• Fantasy Forest Festival at Sudeley Castle 19th – 21st July
• Summer Code Breakers Trail at Slimbridge Wetland Centre (Bowditch) 20th July – 1st September
• Gruffalo Trail at the Dean Heritage Centre (Soudley) 20th July – 1st Sep
• Big Summer Blow Out at Over Farm Countryside Adventure (near Gloucester) 20th July – 2nd September
• Fairytale Festival at Fairytale Farm (nr Chipping Norton) tbc
• Falconry at Sudeley Castle Tues & Thurs from 23rd July – 29th August
• Knight School at Sudeley Castle Wed & Thurs from 24th – 29th August
• Falconry at Berkeley Castle 28th July
• Archery at Berkeley Castle Every Monday 29th July – 19th August
• Summer Saturday Specials at Roves Farm (Sevenhampton) 3rd – 19th August
• Henry VIII at Berkeley Castle 4th August
• ZOOLAB at Berkeley Castle Every Wednesday 7th – 28th August
• Family Magic Day at Berkeley Castle 11th August
• Dinosaurs at the Castle at Berkeley Castle 18th August
• Jousting Tournament at Berkeley Castle 25th – 26th August

Gloucestershire Indoor Summer Events & Activities

Fundamental Movement Academy (Cheltenham)

Gymnastics, trampolining, role play village and soft play, Fundamental Movement Academy in Cheltenham has it all! Check out my review.

Trainmaster play sessions 

Do you have a little one who loves trains?  Trainmaster play sessions are so fun and loved by little ones.  Imagine a hall full of track and lots of little Thomas the Tank Engine trains and all his friends to play with. With a train track to fill the room, ride-on trains, coasters, super stations, books, crafts, a baby corner and much more, there’s something for every child.

• Stroud 21th July
• Gloucester 3rd August
• Evesham 11th August
• Cheltenham 1st September

• Lego Patch Workshop at  Museum of Gloucester (Gloucester) 27th July
• Summer Fun at the Dean Heritage Centre (Soudley) 20th July – 1st Sep
• My Family & Romans trail at Corinium Museum (Cirencester) all summer
• Mini Mosaics workshop at Corinium Museum (Cirencester) 1st, 8th , 29th August

Spectacular Science at Hocus Pocus Play (Fairford) 2nd August

Hocus Pocus Play have teamed up with Fun Science‘s Diatom Dave to combine sensory play with hands-on science, and they’ve come up with a cracker. The 2 hour session is This session is designed with 2-6 year old’s in mind, though all are welcome.

• Family drop in session at Corinium Museum (Cirencester) 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th August August
• Prehistoric Printing at Corinium Museum (Cirencester) 13th August
• Roman Swords & Shields workshop at Corinium Museum (Cirencester) 15th August

Under The Sea Play Day at Hocus Pocus Play (Fairford) 23rd August

• Roman Games at Corinium Museum (Cirencester) 15th +27th August

Family Theatre, Live Music and Puppets

• Awful Auntie at Everyman Theatre (Cheltenham) 25th – 27th July
• The Railway Children outdoor theatre at Notgrove Manor 31st July
• Dinosaur Adventure Live at Roses Theatre (Tewkesbury) 1st August
• The Railway Children outdoor theatre at Elkstone Studios (nr Cheltenham/Cirencester) 1st August
• The Railway Children outdoor theatre at Nature In Art at Wallsworth Hall (Gloucester) 4th August

• The Railway Children outdoor theatre at Tewkesbury Abbey (Tewkesbury) 9th August
• The Secret Garden open air theatre at Tuckwell Amphitheatre (Cheltenham) 15th August
• The Railway Children outdoor theatre at Tuckwell Amphitheatre (Cheltenham) 17th August
• Fireman Sam at Roses Theatre (Tewkesbury) 21st August
• Wind in the Willows open air theatre at Tuckwell Amphitheatre (Cheltenham) 22nd August
• Horrible Histories at Wyvern Theatre (Swindon) 24th August