SEN-friendly Summer Holidays Activities and Events!

Published: 26th July 2024

The Summer Holidays are here and it can be hard to find activities and events that are suitable for kids with SEN (Special Educational Needs).

I've created a guide with SEN-friendly or SEN-specific sessions taking place this summer, including recommendations from other local parents.

If you know of more to add, please let me know.

Check out my other guides too:

The Mum's guide to Hitchin Big Summer Holidays Guide!
Full list of events on the What's On Guide- you can search by date or event view.
Holiday Clubs and Classes
Attractions to travel to like Beaches, Theme Parks, Zoos and Museums in the Things To Do section if you fancy a day out
Free and low cost things to do locally
Baby and Toddler groups and classes that are still running during the Holidays, plus under 5s events and Things To Do
Pubs in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire with play areas
Places where kids eat free (or for £1) during the summer holidays
My top tips when travelling with children
Tried and Tested reviews for places I've been to with the boys
My top things to do in Herts, in partnership with 'Helping Herts'
Hertfordshire Libraries Summer Reading Challenge
Places to stay cool
The best places to meet other parents and carers in Hitchin
Dog-friendly places in Hitchin

Please do check event/attraction details before travelling, as I can't keep this entire list updated I'm afraid!

Follow my pages on Instagram and Facebook where you'll find all the latest news on the grid and in my Stories and Highlights.

Hitchin, Letchworth, Stotfold and wider Hitchin villages - SEN-friendly Events and Things To Do

North Herts Family Centres Summer Holidays Activities

Weekly on Tuesdays 10am - 11:30am at Coombes Hall Coombes Community Centre, Royston - Baby Group - Free Drop-In
Weekly on Tuesdays 10am - 11:15am at Letchworth Garden City Church - SEND Drop In - Free Drop In
Weekly on Wednesdays 10am - 11:30am at Oughton Family Centre, Hitchin Baby Group - Free Drop In
Weekly on Thursdays 10am - 11:30am at Chestnut Tree Family Centre, Letchworth - Baby Group - Free Drop In
Full schedule

sundown
Sundown Open Air Cinema SEN-friendly screenings at Hitchin Lavender and Russell Park, Bedford Weds Aug 14th 11am - Rio (U)

Sun Sept 1st 11am - Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie (PG)

All of our screenings take place in a relaxed outdoor environment with space to move around, this screening has additional measures in place to make it an Autism Friendly screening, making it calmer for some guests:
Gates will open 1 hour before the start of the film to ensure everybody is comfortable. You can arrive at any time, latecomers will be admitted whenever they arrive. We will make the box office experience easy and do our very best to keep queues to a minimum. There will be no designated seating. Guests may sit where they are most comfortable. We will not be playing any background music before or after the screening. We will start the film promptly at 11am with no adverts or trailers. There will be no spoken announcements before or after the screening. The sound level of the screening itself will be kept to a lower level. Subtitles will be shown. Staff members will be easily identified should anyone need any assistance. There will be a designated area towards the rear of the screening where children can stretch their legs or have space to move about whilst the screen is still visible. This event will have a lower than normal capacity. You are welcome to bring your own food and drink
More details

My Super Brain at The Signing Rooms, Hitchin
Fri 26th July and Fri 2nd Aug 2024 6.30- 7.30pm
'My super brain'. This is a fun, functional activity based group for children aged 8-11 years at the Signing rooms, Hitchin. I will be running 2 sessions at the start of the summer holidays and will offer further sessions from September.
Who would benefit from this group?
⚡ Children who have motor coordination difficulties - appear clumsy, poor hand eye coordination
⚡ Children who like to move or fidget a lot - struggle to focus in class as they need movement
⚡ Children who slump and lean a lot - they may struggle to sit upright
⚡ Children who have difficulty with reading and writing - they may have trouble eye tracking or have reduced upper limb strength
⚡ Children who have difficulties with organisation and planning - can't find what they need, difficulty following 2/3 step instructions etc, forgetfulness
⚡ Children who have spikey emotional regulation - they may need some tools which calm their sensory system
More details

Up on Downs Family Support Meeting at Hitchin Youth Trust
Sat 10th August 2024 2-4pm
August's's family meeting is Saturday 10th. It will be lovely to see you all there. No need to book. Bring your suncream if this beautiful weather continues.
More details

Lots of hugs mascot hire, North Herts
We specialise in SEN visits with all our mascots. Small family business (we have a SEN child, so we know exactly how difficult it can be for families.)
More details

Arise & Shine Playgroup at Letchworth Garden City Church
Tuesdays 10-11:15am
A SEND pre-school toddler playgroup and parent/adult support group. Every tuesday 10am - 11.15am. Light refreshments available. Free to attend, donations welcome.
More details

Nearby (within 40 mins’ drive)

SEN Sessions at Gravity, Stevenage
Did you know that trampolining has been shown to help with a wide range of sensory, developmental and physical disabilities? And apart from that, it provides lots of great fun! In our SEN sessions, the whole park and its facilities are made exclusively available to members of recognised disabled groups and societies and caters to offer support for a wide range of disabilities.
More details

SEND Sessions at 360 Play, Stevenage
Sessions run every first Friday of the month from 6.30 to 8.30pm
Our special needs sessions were introduced in 2009 after customer comments on how best some of our users might access our activities. Started as a pilot scheme in Milton Keynes for local families with children and adults with special needs, this not for profit event quickly became a regular fixture in the local calendar. Brothers, sisters and friends are all welcome to join in the fun with the freedom and comfort of knowing that the time is suited to them. Full use of all the facilities will keep even the most energetic children occupied.
More details

LOW COST - £3.50 (plus £1 booking fee) per person
SEN-friendly session 11:30am Tuesdays
Game On! The Evolution Of Video Games at Stockwood Discovery Centre
Sat 20th July 2024 - Sun 1st September 2024 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm
Embark on a nostalgic odyssey through the pixelated past and into the high-definition future at our interactive exhibition, "Game On: The Evolution of Video Games". This immersive journey unfolds across the decades, showcasing the rich tapestry of gaming history. From the rudimentary blips of the Magnavox Odyssey and Pac-Man to the sleek sophistication of the PlayStation and Mobile Gaming, visitors will experience firsthand the technological leaps that have defined each era. As you take in the exhibit, engage with the actual consoles that sparked revolutions in living rooms worldwide. Feel the tactile joy of a joystick, the click of a cartridge, and the camaraderie of couch co-op. Interactive displays invite you to play iconic titles, while ambient soundscapes of 8-bit tunes and triumphant fanfares transport you through gaming's golden ages. A chronological journey from the birth of video gaming.
More details

Outside of the Box CIC, Royston
Throughout the school holidays
We offer a variety of activities for youngsters both term-time and in the school holidays. Our holiday activities are suitable for all abilities. Our activities are inclusive and take place in small groups in a therapeutic environment.
More details

SEN Sessions at Bury Lane Fun Barn, nr Royston
Our SEN sessions for children with additional needs and their siblings are held on a monthly basis and are bookable online 7 days in advance.
There are also regular Sunday sessions from 9:15-10:15am with access to the Sensory Room and soft play. Drinks and cakes will be on offer from our Cafe during a SEN session however the main kitchen does not open until 10:45am.
More details

SEN Classes at Saadi Gymnastics, Harpenden
Our SEN sessions have a maximum number of 25 children and are open to children up to the age of 11. There is no music playing during the session. Pre-booked tickets cost £5 and tickets bought on the door cost £6.
More details

Potential Kids Summer Events
Supporting neurodivergent children/young people, their siblings, families and wider community.
More details

Herts Disability Sports Foundation Summer Activities
Throughout the summer holidays
From Adapted cycling, to bell boats and Boxercise, have a browse of the activities on offer.
More details

SEND Support at Whipsnade Zoo
Accessible activities and relaxed openings
We understand that our Zoo can be a busy place, and our events can be quite loud for some of our visitors. That is why we run regular early-opening on the last Sunday of each month* dates for people with additional needs. This will be advertised on our daily events page and are regularly advertised in conjunction with an event. The Zoo will open at 9am for people with accessible tickets (these are free of charge and will need to be booked separately to your entry ticket). From 9am – 10am, visitors with Relaxed Opening accessibility tickets will be able to access the Zoo but our retail and catering outlets will be open from 10am.
Relaxed sessions in Hullabazoo, our indoor soft play
We are also trialing relaxed sessions in Hullabazoo, our indoor soft play. These sessions have a reduced capacity and no music to make for a relaxed atmosphere for those with additional needs will benefit from a quieter and calmer atmosphere. Sessions are free to book, but valid ZSL membership or Zoo entry tickets must be held to allow entry to the Zoo. These sessions are currently being offered at weekends, 9.30-10.15am. Sessions will be released 24 hours in advance of their start time and can be booked below. By booking one of these sessions you will be allowed access to Hullabazoo at 9.30am, but will not be able to access the rest of the Zoo until 10am.
More details

SEN-friendly workshops at Woburn Safari Park
Throughout the school holidays
Visit the Park for a day on safari that includes a 60 minute educational workshop designed for children with special educational needs and disabilities. Arrive at the Park any time after it opens and go on a self-guided adventure through the Road Safari and Foot Safari, before joining one of the rangers for an educational activity of your choice. You can then spend the rest of your day enjoying the Park with unlimited repeat circuits of the Road Safari, or stay in the Foot Safari and take advantage of the numerous keeper talks and demonstrations or the leisure activities.
More details

Further Afield

SEN Morning at Babylon Park, Camden, London
Sat 20th July 2024 10-11am
Step into Babylon Park London's sensory morning event, where the magic of space meets the comfort of understanding. Soft lights, gentle sounds, and touch-friendly exhibits create a serene galaxy for children with sensory sensitivities. The Park will be closed to the public so our neurodivergent earthlings and family members can enjoy the Park. Here, young explorers can dive into intergalactic wonders, free to enjoy the excitement without any worries. It's a cosmic adventure tailored just for them, ensuring every moment is filled with joy and discovery. £15 per person (1 hour) - along with a complimentary ticket for Carers.
More details

Chiltern Open Air Museum - Sensory Backpacks
Sensory backpacks that include ear defenders are available to borrow from our ticket office. We only have a limited number, so please book one ahead of time or ask a member of staff about availability on the day. You will be asked to leave some sort of security deposit such as ID or keys while you are using them. The Museum also has a sensory trail and you can pick up a map from our ticket office.
More details

SENDsational Mornings at Tring
Our SENDsational mornings offer children with neurodiverse conditions, including autism and other sensory processing difficulties, the chance to take part in activities and enjoy our galleries with their families and siblings away from the hustle and bustle of the general public. This event is best for children aged five to 15 and siblings are welcome.

Visitors have access to a few activities including specimen handling, crafting and a gallery trail.
All activities are supported by experienced, autism-aware facilitators.
A sensory space will be available for those children needing a quieter and calmer space.
All of the galleries, outdoor spaces and the shop will be accessible throughout the event.
Each event has a different theme. In May it's rainforests, in August it's Oceans and the theme for November is Autumn.

More details

Thomley Summer Activities Programme, Worminghall, Bucks
Various sessions throughout the summer holidays
As recommended (and visited) by our very own Mum's guide to Welwyn site manager, she says: "Thomley is an amazing site and an all day adventure. They've got a great summer schedule up. Would highly recommend! Is for SEN but all abled children can visit too."
More details

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Check out the full What's On Calendar
You can find the full list of events in the calendar on the What's On section of the website.

Keep up to date on social media
I regularly update my social pages and Instagram stories, so make sure you're following me for even more content:
Facebook
Instagram

Don't forget, you can also find lots more things to do in various parts of the website:

Things To Do

Tried and Tested - Homepage prem
Tried and Tested - Check out the places I've reviewed with the boys.

Food and Drink

And finally...have a great Summer Holidays!

If you've found this guide useful, then please do share with friends and family, it would mean a lot.

If you have an event coming up and would it like it to be featured, then add it to the website using this form.

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