Things to do in Liverpool summer holidays 2026
The summer holidays are almost here so it’s time to start thinking how we’ll keep the kids busy all summer. This post is filled with things to do in Liverpool in the summer holidays 2026. I’ve rounded up the best family days out and events in Liverpool this summer. Find more Things to do with kids in the North West summer 2026 here.
If you know of an event I’ve missed please do let me know at info@northwestforkids.co.uk. This guide will be updated up to and throughout the summer holidays.
Please check the event or attraction’s website or social media before visiting to make sure there are no changes or cancellations and to see if you need to book. I have done my best to ensure this page is correct and will update as often as I can but I can not be held responsible for changes.
Ad – This post contains affiliate links. These are marked with *. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Family days out and events
Summer festival at Otterspool Adventure – book now for 2026
When – 18th July – 31st August 2026.
Get ready for endless seasonal fun at Summer Festival! Expect a foam party, swimming, and more, making it the perfect day out for the whole family.
Full details here – Summer Fest | Otterspool Adventure
Camp Knowsley at Knowsley Safari Park – details for 2026
When – 20th July – 31st August 2026.
Head into the woodland camp and test your skills with bushcraft activities, campfire cooking, survival challenges, nature trails, and creative crafts. Follow your curiosity, learn new tricks, and see what you’re made of as you explore the great outdoors at your own pace.
Full details here – Camp Knowsley
Knowsley Feelgood Festival, Court Hey Park 2026
When – 1st August 2026.
Find out more here – Knowsley feelgood festival
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Speke Hall – details for 2026
When – 23rd May – 6th September 2026.
Get active outdoors on our Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution Trail. Team up as a family to search the gardens for each Mega Evolution Pokémon, discover their powers, and complete your own challenges.
Are you ready for a mega adventure? Trail sheets will be available to collect on the day.
Full details here – Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Speke Hall
Storyhunters at Speke Hall
When – 24th July – 28th August 2026 (selected dates).
Join the Storyhunters from The Reader for an outdoor storytelling experience at Speke Hall. Through shared reading and interactive storytelling, families can enjoy captivating tales in the fresh air, surrounded by nature and the historic setting of the estate. Perfect for children and grown-ups alike, these relaxed sessions celebrate the joy of stories, imagination and reading together.
Find out more here – Storyhunters at Speke Hall
Sunday Circus Skills Workshop. Speke Hall
When – 26th July, 2nd, 9th, 16th August 2026.
Step into the world of the circus and enjoy an entertaining and engaging workshop led by an experienced circus tutor. Suitable for all ages and abilities, this fun-filled session offers the chance to try a range of circus skills, learn new tricks and challenge yourself in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Full details here – Sunday Circus Skills Workshop
Summer Storytelling for Families, Speke Hall
When – 21st, 28th July, 11th, 18th and 25th August 2026.
Rediscover a classic fairy tale adventure and craft your own character to share the story at home. Three sessions per day.
Full details here – Summer Storytelling for Families
Cacti Corner, Speke Hall
When – 21st, 23rd, 28th July, 13th, 18th, 20th, 25th and 27th August 2026.
Join our apprentice gardener George for a family-friendly workshop exploring the history, importance and practical care of one of the most overlooked and underappreciated plant groups. You’ll even have the chance to pot up your own succulent to take home afterwards.
Full details here – Cacti Corner
Summer Family Yoga, Speke Hall
When – 22nd, 29th July, 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th August 2026.
Family yoga is a fantastic opportunity to appreciate a variety of breathing techniques, yoga poses and games that both young and older can enjoy together with Speke Hall as backdrop
Full details here – Summer Family Yoga
Summer of Play, Speke Hall
When – 28th July – 31st August 2026.
Step into the spotlight with performance play, build and create using loose parts, or head outdoors for nature-inspired fun, including making mud goblins and taking on a scavenger hunt. Get creative with hands-on arts and crafts activities or burn off some energy with active games and challenges.
Full details here – summer of play
Summer holidays at Eureka science + discovery – 2026 details
When – 18th July – 30th August 2026.
Step into the world of the circus and enjoy an entertaining and engaging workshop led by an experienced circus tutor. Suitable for all ages and abilities, this fun-filled session offers the chance to try a range of circus skills, learn new tricks and challenge yourself in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Full details here – 6 weeks of summer – Eureka! Science + Discovery
Free Grow wellbeing family session. Palm House, Sefton Park
When – 21st, 28th July and 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th August 2026.
Family forest sessions. Children will have the chance to engage in a range of nature connected activities including creating animal dens and fairy homes, making bubbles, nature crafts like clay modelling and nature mandalas. There will be time to play, explore, relax in a hammock and make new friends in a safe outdoor setting.
1-3pm
Full details here – Grow wellbeing family session
Free Craft club at Palm House Sefton Park 2026
When – 29th July and 19th August 2026.
Families are welcome to come, make and create under the palms together. Artist led drop-in session as part of our family programme of events.
1 – 3pm
29th July – free craft club
19th August – free craft club
Liverpool indoor funfair, Exhibition centre Liverpool 2026
When – 14th – 24th August 2026
You can expect jaw-dropping rides and amazing attractions all under one roof! We have assembled a great mix of children’s rides and large rides for all age groups to enjoy! Age and height restrictions apply.
Book here – Liverpool Indoor Funfair Summer
Summer holiday crafts, Childwall Emporium
When – 21st, 28th July, 4th, 11th and 18th August 2026
Each person has 3 crafts to choose from – or you can do them all if you like! Grown ups can come along for free, but if you want to join in you will need your own ticket too.
£7 per child, 1 hour session
Book here – Summer Holiday Crafts | Childwall Emporium
Beach Fest, Chavasse Park, Liverpool
When – 18th July – 31st August 2026.
Bringing a taste of the seaside to the heart of Liverpool ONE. Visitors can enjoy an urban sandy beach, family-friendly rides and six weeks of entertainment, activities and unforgettable experiences for all ages.
Full details here – Beach Fest
ChessFest at Liverpool ONE
When – 19th July 2026.
Family-friendly, free chess activities.
Full details here – ChessFest at Liverpool ONE
Minton Tile Trail, City wide trail Liverpool
When – 17th July – 2nd September 2026.
Step into Liverpool’s rich architectural heritage with the Minton Tile Trail, a city-wide experience celebrating the craftsmanship and history behind the iconic Minton tiles of St George’s Hall.
Pick up a map from the Liverpool ONE Information Centre, discover hidden locations across the city and bring a historic design to life.
As part of the trail, visitors can also admire a specially commissioned Minton-inspired artwork displayed in the Liverpool ONE Information Centre window, before setting off on their journey to uncover each tile location.
Complete your own tile design and become part of the celebration, with your creation showcased at St George’s Hall this summer alongside the Minton Tile Reveal.
Full details here – Minton Tile Trail
Tickle the Ivories Piano Festival. Liverpool ONE
When – 10th July – 11th September 2026.
Get involved and fill the streets of Liverpool city centre with symphonies of every genre from classical through to dance music.
Full details here – Tickle the Ivories Piano Festival
Southport Air Show 2026
When – 29th – 30th August 2026.
The Southport Air Show, a cherished tradition and highlight of our summer calendar, is thrilled to open its gates again in 2026 and welcome you all – families, friends, aviation buffs, and first-time visitors alike – to another spectacular weekend by the sea.
Renowned as one of the UK’s premier air displays, we pride ourselves on offering an accessible, world-class spectacle right here on our beautiful coastline. For many years, the Air Show has thrilled generations, bringing together families, aviation enthusiasts, and the local community in a shared celebration of flight, skill, and engineering marvels. This year promises to be no exception!
Book here – Southport Air Show
Garden Party, Calderstones Park
When – 26th July 2026.
Guests are invited to drop in, pop up a deck chair or lay out their picnic blanket in the stunning Mansion House Garden for a chilled afternoon with a sizzling BBQ,stories, music, the Ice Cream trike, facepainting and crafts.
Browse the Library on the Lawn – a handpicked selection of books for adults and children to explore and enjoy live entertainment and activities for all the family.
No need to book. Free, donations welcome.
Full details here – Garden Party
Storybarn Fest. The Storybarn, Calderstones Park
When – 30th August 2026.
Join the fun at Storybarn Fest in an outdoor courtyard takeover at the Storybarn and Ice Cream Parlour.
Set to be the perfect way to round off the summer and school holidays, a line of up scheduled events includes a special visit from Futureyard’s much-loved Mosh Tots Band with sessions at 11am and 3pm.
The Storybarn will be open for fun, stories and crafts.
In the courtyard, there will be facepainting, a barbecue and special guests to join a fun-filled day of activities.
Book here – Storybarn Fest!
Brimstage farm Maize maze
Open from 18th July – 31st August 2026
where – Brimstage Farm, Brimstage Road, Brimstage, Wirral, CH63 6JA
Open every day in the school holidays
Tickets from £. and as well as the maze they include indoor soft play barn, giant sandpit, jumping pillows, crazy golf, zip lines and more.
Book here – Brimstage Farm
Calderstones beach and funfair – no details for 2026
Where – Calderstones park, old tennis Site, Liverpool, l18 3JB
When from 19th July 2025
Expect an urban beach and rides. Unlimited rides wristbands available.
Boogie Barry will be back every Tuesday and Thursday from 1-3pm.
Full details here – Fun Fair and Beach Calderstones Park summer 2025
Liverpool museums and art galleries for families – 2026
I haven’t included every event at the Liverpool museums as there are loads including under 5s and baby sessions (tiddlers, rhyme time, Little Liverpool).
Full Liverpool museums guide here – What’s on | National Museums Liverpool
Aquarium Behind The Scenes Tour
When – 23rd, 30th July 2026
£5 per adult, £4 per child
Book here – Aquarium Behind The Scenes Tour
Big Art special: Art Sparks, National Museums Liverpool.
When – 4, 5, 11, 18, 19, 25, 26 July 2026.
Explore your creativity as a family with the special facilitated activities and make a marvellous masterpiece to take home. Plus, you’ll have some time to explore Big Art and all the wonderful resources for yourself.
Book here – Big Art special: Art Sparks | National Museums Liverpool
Little Liverpool – summer special. Museum of Liverpool
When – 20th July – 31st August 2026.
Summer crafts, activities and fun especially for those aged under 6.
Book here – Little Liverpool – summer special
Festival of Archaeology – up close with a curator, Museum of Liverpool
When – 20th July 2026.
Get hands on with the past, with the opportunity to handle and learn more about some of the fascinating objects from the Museum of Liverpool’s regional archaeology collection.
Full details here – Festival of Archaeology – up close with a curator
Fintastic feeding time. World Museum
When – 22nd and 28th July 2026.
Join the marine educator as you plunge beneath the surface to discover the wonders of our underwater world. Get an up-close look at some of the most fascinating rock pool creatures on the big screen!
Through interactive games, you’ll uncover the secrets of these amazing animals and the hidden world they call home, and that’s not all… you’ll also get to watch the educator feed one of the live animal enclosures.
Book here – Fintastic feeding time
Dino Takeover. World Museum
When – 22nd July – 27th August 2026.
Meet giant dinosaur puppets and get hands on with crafts in a summer full of interactive family fun!
Full details here – Dino Takeover
Free Dino Babies. World Museum
When – 22nd July – 27th August 2026.
Are you ready to travel back to a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth? Today, we’re going to meet some very special baby dinosaurs. They’re curious, playful, and can’t wait to say hello!
So put on your biggest smiles, get your best dinosaur roars ready, and let’s give a huge welcome to our adorable dino babies as they stomp, wiggle, and play their way onto the stage!
Book here – Free Dino Babies
Free Dino Takeover : Meet the Curator. World Museum
When – 22nd July – 27th August 2026.
Wednesdays through Summer 2026 the fabulous curatorial team will tell us all about herbivorous dinosaurs, prehistoric insects, giant birds, folklore, and fossils. Suitable for all ages.
Book here – Free Dino Takeover : Meet the Curator
Teddy Bears’ Picnic, Sudley House
When – 28th – 29th August 2026.
Bring along your favourite teddy bear or stuffed toy and join us for a session filled with storytelling, crafts, and hands-on sensory fun.
We’ll begin with a picnic-themed craft and make something yummy for your bear. Then get comfy and snuggle up with your bear for story time!
To end the session, our bear hunt themed sensory area play trays will be full of messy and exciting textures to explore. (This part will be messy please wear old clothes/bring a change of clothes with you).
Book here – Teddy Bears’ Picnic
Mindful Garden: Fading Plants and Forgotten Words. World Museum
When – 7th & 21st August 2026.
Created for young people aged 6–15 who enjoy art and nature.
In this session, you’ll explore how plants have been recorded, valued, and sometimes forgotten over time. We’ll look at the connection between plants, medicine, and why protecting them, is so important in a changing climate.
You’ll learn real herbarium techniques (how plants are carefully preserved) through art and science, and get creative by bringing “lost” nature words back to life through poetry.
Your creations will be invited to feature in a special exhibition at the World Museum, and you’ll be invited back later in the year for a private viewing to celebrate your creations.
Book here – Mindful Garden: Fading Plants and Forgotten Words
Free Make it! craft workshop, The Atkinson – details for 2026
When – 23rd, 30th July, 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th August 2026
Be inspired by the museum, gallery and theatre programme in an arts and crafts workshop suitable for all the family. There’s something for all ages, with all materials supplied and all for free!
Children under 12 must be supervised by an adult.
Find out more here – What’s On – The Atkinson
Free Construction Club, The Atkinson 2026
When – 25th July & 29th August 2026
Young inventors, creators and builders are invited to drop in and play with the massive supply of LEGO.
Ages 5+. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Find out more here – Construction Club – The Atkinson
Family theatre in Liverpool
Ministry of Science, St Helens Theatre Royal.
When – 25th July 2026.
Direct from London’s West End.Over the last few years Science has led the way in getting our lives back to normal. Now, the UK’s favourite science team are back and more explosive than ever!
Join our presenters as they dive deep into the world of science and look at how science shapes the modern world we live in with a few loud bangs along the way!
Book here – show – St Helens Theatre Royal
K-Pop Live. St Helens Theatre Royal
When – 23rd August 2026.
This isn’t your average concert. It’s a high-energy, full-throttle tribute to the idols, the anthems, and the fandoms that turned a genre into a global movement. With hits from bestselling K-Pop bands – Blackpink, Twice, Katseye, and the smash-hit film K-Pop: Demon Hunters…and much more! — it’s a celebration of the visuals, the vocals, and the bias-wrecking moments that true K-POP fans live for.
Book here – show – St Helens Theatre Royal
Fireman Sam, St Helens Theatre Royal
When – 25th August 2026.
Norman Price is determined to win the Pontypandy Treasure Hunt, but when he discovers clues to a real pirate treasure, he goes exploring deep into the caves. It’s up to Fireman Sam, Elvis and Ellie to save the day and find the treasure. With clues, pirate songs and plenty of swashbuckling adventure, Fireman Sam’s new live show is perfect for all budding pirates! Live Show Ahoy!
Book here – show – St Helens Theatre Royal
The Dinosaur that Pooped, St Helens Theatre Royal
When – 26th July 2026.
When Danny and Dino’s favourite rock band are playing their last ever concert, they go on a quest to get the last two tickets. But with a villainous band manager lurking, nothing goes to plan. Will the band perform? Will Danny rock out? Or will Dino’s rumbling tummy save the day?
Adapted from the number 1 best-selling books by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter, the whole family will have a poopy good time enjoying a brand, new story for the stage. Featuring new songs by Tom and Dougie, a lot of laughs and a whole lot of poo!
Book here – show – St Helens Theatre Royal
Outdoor theatre Liverpool
There are loads of Outdoor theatre Liverpool this year. Find the most family-friendly below but click the link above for the full list.
Outdoor Cinema – The Reader, Calderstones Park
There are a number of shows on from 28th July – 27th August 2026.
Find all the films and book here – Shows
Visit your local library and join the summer reading challenge
The reading agency’s Summer reading challenge is back and launches officially on the 4th July 2026. Find out more about this great initiative here.
Find your nearest library here – Liverpool Libraries
Go to the park
Parks make great days out in the summer. We’re lucky to have loads to choose from across Liverpool.
Many parks in our area even have paddling pools. Find your nearest here – Outdoor paddling pools and splash parks in the North West.
Go for a walk
There are loads of great walks in Liverpool to choose from.
Find the best walks for young children here – pram-friendly walks Liverpool.
Pick your own strawberries and other fruit
There are loads of places to pick strawberries and other fruit this summer near to Liverpool. Fruit picking is a fantastic family summer activity. Find them all here – strawberry picking near Liverpool
Enjoy an ice cream
Find the best places to eat ice cream in my guide to Ice cream parlours Liverpool here.
More things to do with kids in the North West summer
Fancy a discount on days out? find Discounts on days out North West here.
Find out where Kids eat free in the North West this summer.
I also have a guide to Things to do in Cheshire summer holidays
And here is my guide to Summer holiday activities Lancashire
Find more great Family days out North West England here.
