Summer Holiday Activities for Kids in Sunderland

Six weeks is a long time to fill, and Sunderland has more on offer than many families realise: two sandy beaches, a country park on a former colliery, a wetland centre, a watersports centre at the harbour mouth and holiday courses that run all day. This guide brings together the options that run every summer, from all-day clubs for working parents to outings that cost little or nothing. Dates and booking for summer 2027 will be published in the spring, so treat this as a planning list and check each provider nearer the time.

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme

The Holiday Activities and Food programme is funded by the Department for Education and run locally by the council with partner organisations. It offers places on holiday clubs, with a healthy meal included, for children who receive benefits-related free school meals, and runs in the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays. Schools usually share booking details before each holiday, and the council publishes the list of participating clubs. If your child is eligible, it is worth booking early, as popular clubs fill quickly.

Foundation of Light holiday courses

The Sunderland AFC charity runs holiday courses every Easter, summer, Christmas and half term, with the Beacon of Light next to the Stadium of Light among the venues. Sessions are led by FA-qualified coaches, and children bring a packed lunch. Courses are booked online through the Foundation of Light website.

Best for: Suits football-loving children and parents who need full days covered.

AAAsports Holiday Fun Days

AAAsports, the gymnastics and trampoline club in Southwick, runs Holiday Fun Days for ages 4 to 15. They are open to members and non-members, with drop-off from 8am and finishing at 4pm, plus an option to collect until 5pm. Days mix gymnastics, trampolining, games, cheerleading and crafts.

Best for: Suits working parents who need a long day, and children who like variety.

Roker and Seaburn beaches

The two city beaches are the obvious summer outing. Roker has the pier and lighthouse at one end and Roker Park a short walk inland, with its bandstand, model boating lake and play equipment. Seaburn, further north, has a wide promenade, cafes and play facilities near the beach. If the children want to swim, check for lifeguard cover first and only swim between the red and yellow flags. Our Roker and Seaburn seafront guide covers parking, cafes and the walk between them.

Adventure Sunderland, Roker

At the harbour end of Roker, Adventure Sunderland is a charitable trust that has run the watersports and outdoor centre on Marine Walk since 1996. Its activities include kayaking, paddleboarding, coasteering and surfing on the sheltered water of the harbour and along the coast. Check the centre directly for its summer programme and the minimum ages for each activity.

Best for: Suits older children and teenagers who want to try something on the water.

Herrington Country Park and Penshaw Monument

Herrington Country Park sits on the site of the former Herrington Colliery, which closed in 1985. Today it has a lake, sculptures, an amphitheatre, a play area and long paths that suit bikes and scooters. Above it stands Penshaw Monument, cared for by the National Trust, which runs Tours to the Top on weekends in spring and summer so visitors can climb to the walkway. Our Penshaw and Herrington guide has more detail.

Best for: Suits a full day outdoors with a picnic, bikes and a hill to climb.

WWT Washington Wetland Centre

The WWT Washington Wetland Centre on the north bank of the Wear has adventure play areas, woodland walks, bird hides and Asian short-clawed otters. Its opening days now vary by season, so check the website before you set off.

Best for: Suits younger children who like animals, and families who want a slower-paced day.

Washington Old Hall

Washington Old Hall, a National Trust property in Washington Village, incorporates parts of the medieval home of George Washington's ancestors. Its gardens are a calm place for younger children. Check the National Trust website for summer opening days and any holiday activities.

Best for: Suits families combining a short history visit with time in a garden.

Hylton Castle

Hylton Castle in Castletown is a gatehouse-tower castle built around 1400, now run as a community venue by Hylton Castle Trust, with tours and a tearoom.

Best for: Suits a short outing that combines a castle with a run around outdoors.

The Summer Reading Challenge

The Summer Reading Challenge is the national scheme run through public libraries each summer. Children sign up at their local library, read books of their choice over the holidays and collect rewards along the way. In Sunderland, the City Library is now inside the Culture House on Keel Square, which opened in September 2026, and branch libraries around the city usually take part too.

Best for: Suits every reader, and keeps children reading between school years.

Shows and performances

The Fire Station on High Street West hosts live music and performances through the year. Check its programme, and our events calendar, for anything aimed at families during the holidays.

Rainy days

The summer holidays are not always sunny. For indoor options such as soft play, swimming, climbing and the cinema, see our guides to a rainy day in Sunderland, soft play and swimming. For budget days out, try free things to do in Sunderland.

Know a summer activity we have missed? Get in touch.