Summer Sports Camps in Sunderland

The summer holidays are long, and for many Sunderland families a few days at a sports camp is the answer, giving children a chance to try something new, burn off energy and spend time with friends while parents are at work. This guide covers three providers we have confirmed ran summer camps in 2026, at the Beacon of Light by the Stadium of Light, in Houghton-le-Spring and in Washington. It describes what each one offered in summer 2026 so you know what to look out for. Programmes and prices change from year to year, and summer bookings usually open in late spring, so check each provider's booking page from around Easter.

Foundation of Light at the Beacon of Light

The biggest summer programme in the city is run by the Foundation of Light, the official charity of Sunderland AFC, from the Beacon of Light next to the Stadium of Light. The Foundation is financially independent of the club, and money from bookings goes back into its community work.

In summer 2026 the programme ran from 27 July to 27 August. The core offer was three-day football courses for children aged five to 14 and a three-day holiday club for ages five to 12 with multi-sports, arts and crafts and other activities, both running from 9.30am to 3pm. Alongside these were a one-day multi-sports camp, a Technical Talent camp for more experienced players aged seven to 16, SEND football sessions for eight to 16-year-olds and a girls' futsal day. There were also shorter sessions such as junior baking, gaming and drop-in kick-abouts, some of which are unsupervised family sessions, so read the details of each one when booking. The Foundation also ran football courses at venues outside the city, including Peterlee and Beamish. Sessions are booked through the Foundation of Light website.

Best for: Football-mad children, and families who want a choice of short courses through the holidays from a well-known local charity.

TayPlay Activity Camps, Houghton

TayPlay Activity Camps runs school holiday camps at leisure centres around the country, and in Sunderland it uses Houghton Sports & Wellness Centre on Station Road. It has also run camps at the Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre.

Its summer 2026 camp at Houghton ran for five weeks, from 27 July to 28 August, for children aged five to 11. Days run from 9.30am to 4.30pm, which is longer than many camps, with early drop-off from 8.30am and late pick-up until 5.30pm available for an extra charge. Children are grouped by age and given some choice of activities, mixing sport with games, arts and crafts and other options. There is also a Young Leaders camp for older children who want to help run activities. Places can be booked by the day or the week.

Best for: Working parents who need a full day of childcare, and children who like variety rather than one sport.

Washington Gymnastic Club

Washington Gymnastic Club trains at Wynn House on Hertburn Industrial Estate and runs camps in most school holidays as well as its weekly classes. In 2026 it ran camps at February half term, Easter, in the summer holidays and at October half term.

The summer camps are for children from age four up to 16, and mix gymnastics skills in a properly equipped gym with games and arts and crafts. In past summers the club has offered places funded through the council's holiday activities programme for children who receive free school meals. Camps are booked through the club's online booking page.

Best for: Active children who love to climb, tumble and bounce, and families in Washington and the surrounding villages.

Funded places and other options

Children in Sunderland who receive benefits-related free school meals can usually get funded places on summer camps through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which is funded by the Department for Education and run locally by Sunderland City Council. HAF camps include a healthy meal, and in recent years providers have included council leisure centres such as Washington Leisure Centre, as well as community groups and sports clubs. Details and booking codes are usually sent out through schools, and the council publishes the programme before each holiday.

Our summer holiday activities guide covers wider days out and activities, and our guides to after-school clubs, football and martial arts list clubs that run all year.

Before you book

Check what your child needs to bring, including a packed lunch, water bottle, sun cream and suitable clothes, and whether the camp provides any food. Ask about staff ratios and safeguarding, and tell the provider about any medical needs, allergies or additional needs in advance. If you are booking several weeks, look out for sibling or multi-day discounts, and check whether you can use Tax-Free Childcare or childcare vouchers, as registered providers often accept them.

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