What's on over the holidays

Fun activities over summer

Summer Fun

FREE Library Events

Marvellous Makers Logo

Marvellous Makers: the Summer Reading Challenge 2024

The Summer Reading Challenge is a FREE holiday activity and this year it is all about creativity. From dance to drawing, junk modelling to music, there's something for everyone! Children will be able to find new reads linked to their favourite creative arts, and access free activities at the library. 

The Challenge starts on Saturday 22 June and ends on Friday 23 August. All children aged 4-11 are welcome to take part and can read anything they like (really - anything!) and collect free rewards for their reading. Just pop into your local library or visit the summer reading challenge to sign up.

Free Children's Activities at your local library

With over 237 Free Events, there's summer fun for kids of all ages at your local library, including Bookbug, Lego clubs, scavenger hunts, coding, crafting and making sessions.

Check out the latest Library Summer Events Programme at your local library below to find out more. Please note that for some events, booking is required. 

Find Your Local Library:

Download an eBook, eAudiobook or eMagazine

FREE family fun events with Communities, Lifelong Learning & Employability (CLLE)

children playing in a park

Midlothian CLLE have just the thing for families wondering what to do over the summer holidays and it is all completely free to attend, with snacks available for children attending.

The programme covers a four week period, beginning on Tuesday 9 July and finishes on Thursday 1 August, including the following:

  • Fun in the Park (at various locations)
  • Family Cooking
  • Pickleball
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Pottery
  • Lego Movie Making

Visit CLLE's Eventbrite page to view the programme and book events.

 FREE Bike Tent

Bicycles

 

Come along to receive a free service for your bike or scooter by a qualified mechanic (all sizes and ages welcome). While you are there try the smoothie bike, check out the family craft stall for fun activities and pick up cycling equipment freebies:

  • Monday 22 July, 1.30pm - 3.30pm
  • MARC Building Woodburn, 10 Woodburn Road, Dalkeith

FREE events at Hawthorn Family Learning Centre

Messy Play

 

The summer group timetable at Hawthorn Family Learning Centre is open to all Midlothian families and children of all ages are welcome to attend. 

The schedule covers a four week period, beginning Monday 1 July and finishing Friday 26 July, including the following events:

  • One Stop Shop
  • Scones, Stories and Songs
  • Family Messy Play
  • Community Group Cooking
  • Walking Group
  • Friday Family Group
  • Maximising Income

Visit Hawthorn Family Learning Centre's Eventbrite page to find out more about the programme (please note events can be booked from 14 June 2024).

Midlothian outdoors

Vogrie Country Park hawthorn blossom

Tyne Valley, Vogrie Country Park

Sports & Leisure in Midlothian this summer

Swimming Pools

Free swimming for under-18s over the school holidays

Intensive Swimming Lessons for Pre-Schoolers (3-5 years) and Beginners (5 years +):

Diving Lessons for Children (8-16 years):

Extra Pool Inflatable Sessions

Rookie Lifeguard Summer Sessions (8-12 years):

Football Camps and Active Midlothian Programmes

Football

Football Summer Camps for children and young people (Primary 1-7 pupils)

Active Midlothian summer programme

For children and young people of all ages: parkour, tennis, KIC Dance, American Football:

Introduction to First Aid for Children and Young People (8-12 years)

Primary Play for children (5-12 years)

Morning sessions full of fun activities for P1s to P7s.

Snowsports at Hillend

Junior snowboarding

Tubing

  • Tubing sessions available 
  • £8.60 (Junior) and £10.60 (Adult) for a 45 minute session.
  • Sessions are bookable online 7 days in advance
  • Book online

Other things to do in Midlothian