School holidays can be exciting for children, but finding suitable activities and reliable childcare can be a challenge for parents in Ealing. Holiday camps and kids clubs provide opportunities for children to stay active, socialise, learn new skills and enjoy structured activities while school is closed.
Ealing has a varied selection of holiday provision, ranging from sports camps and creative programmes to music, circus, play and multi-activity clubs. Families can also access free holiday activities through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme if they meet the eligibility requirements.
The best option depends on your child’s age, interests, the length of care required, location, budget and whether you need a registered childcare provider. Ealing Council’s Family Information Service and Ealing Families Directory are useful starting points for checking registered holiday schemes across the borough.
What Types Of Holiday Camps Are Available In Ealing?
Holiday provision in Ealing covers several different formats. Traditional holiday playschemes provide supervised activities throughout the school holidays, while specialist camps focus on areas such as cricket, music, performing arts, science or creative activities.
There are also multi-activity camps designed to give children a mixture of sports, games, arts and crafts and other activities within the same programme.
This variety means that parents do not necessarily need to choose a camp simply because it is close to home. A child who loves music may enjoy a music-focused camp more than a general sports programme, while an energetic child may prefer football, cricket, swimming or a multi-sport camp.
Ealing Council explains that holiday playschemes generally operate during the main school holidays and may run from around 9am to 5.30pm, although opening hours vary between providers.
How To Find Registered Holiday Clubs In Ealing
One of the most useful resources for parents is the Ealing Family Information Service (FIS). It provides information about Ofsted-registered childcare providers, holiday schemes and other services for children and families.
The Ealing Families Directory contains information about registered childcare providers across the borough. This can help parents search for suitable holiday childcare according to their requirements.
Registration is particularly relevant when choosing a camp for younger children. Ealing Council advises parents to check whether a holiday playscheme is registered and to consider its age range, collection arrangements, safeguarding procedures and policies.
Parents should also ask about staff arrangements, emergency contacts, dietary requirements, medical needs and what happens if a child becomes unwell during the session.
The Strings Club In Ealing
For children interested in music and creative activities, The Strings Club runs holiday camps at Christ the Saviour CE Primary School in Ealing.
The programme is aimed at children aged 4 to 11 and combines music, movement, creative workshops and screen-free activities. The provider describes the camps as Ofsted-registered and says it accepts childcare vouchers and Tax-Free Childcare.
The Ealing venue is on The Grove, W5, making it potentially convenient for families in Ealing, Acton, Hanwell, South Ealing and West Ealing.
The programme can be particularly suitable for a child who enjoys creative activities but may not want a conventional sports camp. Music-based activities can also give children an opportunity to work collaboratively and perform in front of others.
Arts And Creative Holiday Camps
Creative camps can be a useful alternative for children who prefer drawing, painting, drama, singing or performance to competitive sport.
The Arts Place has offered holiday camps in Ealing covering creative activities. Its 2026 Eco Explorers Art Camp, for example, was aimed at children aged 4 to 12 and included activities connected with art and the natural world. The advertised four-day camp cost £195, with individual days available for £50.
The Arts Place example also demonstrates why parents should compare the structure of a camp rather than looking only at its headline price. A four-day programme may offer a different experience from a single-day activity, and wraparound arrangements can affect the total childcare cost.
Availability and prices change between school holidays, so parents should check the provider’s current programme before booking.
Sports Camps For Active Children
Ealing has a strong network of sports and leisure facilities, and school holiday programmes can cover activities including football, cricket, tennis, swimming and other sports.
Ealing Council says its sports facilities provide school holiday programmes alongside sports development courses and facilities for activities ranging from swimming and tennis to cricket, rugby and athletics.
For children who already enjoy cricket, Ealing Cricket Club offers holiday cricket camps. Its 2026 summer programme included multiple weeks of cricket coaching supported by experienced coaches and facilities including net lanes and bowling machines.
A specialist sports camp can be particularly useful when a child wants to improve a particular skill while also spending time with other children who have similar interests.
Multi-Activity Camps In Hanwell
Parents looking for broader activities rather than one specialist subject can consider multi-activity programmes.
MultiMix Activity Camp lists a 2026 October half-term programme at St Mark’s School in Hanwell, Ealing. Its programme is designed for children aged 5 to 12 and combines activities such as multi-sports, drama, arts and crafts, science, team-building games and themed activities.
This type of camp can work well for children who become bored with repetitive activities or who want to try several things during the same school holiday.
The provider lists standard hours of 9am to 5pm, with extended hours available, although parents should confirm the arrangements for the specific booking period.
Circus And Performing Arts Camps
Some Ealing holiday activities are particularly distinctive.
In 2026, Leo’s Circus offered circus, dance and aerial bungee camps at Notting Hill & Ealing High School. The programme was aimed at children aged 6 to 15 and included aerial silks, hoop, trapeze, juggling, dance, aerial bungee and creative arts.
The published programme included funded places for eligible low-income families, while paid places were also available.
This kind of activity may appeal to children who enjoy performing, movement and unusual physical challenges. It also demonstrates the range of holiday programmes available in Ealing beyond conventional football or childcare clubs.
Free Holiday Activities Through Ealing HAF
Families looking for free holiday clubs in Ealing should investigate the Holiday Activities and Food Programme, commonly known as HAF.
Ealing Council’s HAF programme provides free holiday activities and meals for eligible children and young people during the Easter, summer and Christmas school holidays. The main eligibility group is children in school years Reception to Year 11 who receive benefits-related free school meals and live in or attend school in Ealing.
The programme is designed to provide enriching activities alongside a nutritious meal. Ealing’s 2026 summer programme, for example, ran from 20 July to 28 August and allowed eligible children to attend up to 16 days during the holiday period.
HAF is therefore particularly important for families searching for affordable summer activities or help keeping children occupied during school holidays.
However, HAF should not automatically be treated as a full-time childcare replacement. Ealing’s guidance explains that the programme is not intended to be used as childcare.
Ealing Play Centres For Younger Children
Families with younger children can also look at Ealing’s play centres.
Ealing Council lists play centres serving children aged 0 to 12, with holiday opening arrangements at locations including Acton Park, Dormers Wells Park, Limetrees Park, Northolt Park, Pitzhanger Park and other local sites.
These facilities can provide a different experience from a commercial holiday camp. Some are designed around local play and family activities rather than full-day specialist childcare.
Parents should check the current opening arrangements, age requirements and whether a particular session requires advance booking.
What Should Parents Check Before Booking?
The right holiday club is not necessarily the one with the longest list of activities. Parents should first establish whether the programme fits their practical childcare requirements.
Check the age range carefully. A camp suitable for an 11-year-old may not accept a four-year-old, while some providers divide children into smaller age groups.
Next, check the daily hours. A camp running from 9am to 3pm may not work for a parent working a full day unless wraparound care is available.
Collection arrangements are also important. Ealing Council advises parents to check whether children can arrive or leave independently or whether they must be collected by a nominated adult.
Food is another consideration. Ask whether lunch and snacks are included, whether children need to bring a packed lunch and whether the provider can accommodate allergies or dietary requirements.
How Much Do Ealing Holiday Camps Cost?
Prices vary significantly depending on the provider, duration and type of activity.
Some specialist camps charge by the day, while others offer discounted weekly bookings. Creative camps, sports programmes and childcare-focused schemes can all have different pricing models.
The 2026 Arts Place example shows a four-day camp priced at £195, with single-day bookings at £50.
Some programmes are free for eligible families. Ealing’s HAF programme is free for eligible children, while individual providers may also offer funded or subsidised places.
Parents should therefore calculate the total holiday cost, including registration fees, meals, transport, extended hours and any equipment required.
What About Children With SEND?
Families of children with special educational needs or disabilities should ask providers directly about accessibility and support before booking.
Ealing’s Family Information Service provides information about SEND support and manages the Ealing Local Offer, which covers services for children and young people aged 0 to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities.
Parents can ask about staffing levels, accessible facilities, sensory requirements, communication needs, medication procedures and whether the programme has experience supporting their child’s needs.
It is better to discuss these requirements before booking than to assume that every holiday club can provide the same level of support.
Choosing A Camp By Ealing Area
Location can make a major difference during school holidays.
Families in Ealing and West Ealing may find creative and music programmes around central Ealing convenient. Acton has play facilities and access to wider London activities, while Hanwell has venues offering multi-activity and other holiday programmes.
Families in Northolt, Greenford, Perivale and Southall can explore Ealing Council’s Family Information Service and local community provision rather than travelling across the entire borough.
The best location is usually one that provides a manageable journey while matching the child’s age, interests and care requirements.
A Practical Example For An Ealing Family
Imagine two parents in South Ealing with an eight-year-old child who enjoys music but does not particularly enjoy competitive sport.
They could compare a general multi-activity camp with a music-focused programme such as The Strings Club. If the parents need full-day childcare, they would then check the opening hours and any wraparound options.
Another family in Hanwell might have a ten-year-old who enjoys science, drama and sport. A multi-activity programme could provide greater variety than a specialist camp.
Meanwhile, a family receiving benefits-related free school meals could check whether the child qualifies for the HAF programme before paying for a commercial holiday club.
These examples show why there is no single holiday camp that suits every Ealing family.
How Far In Advance Should You Book?
Popular camps can have limited capacity, particularly during summer holidays. Parents should therefore start searching before the school holiday begins.
Check the provider’s latest dates, age groups, availability, cancellation terms and payment arrangements.
For HAF programmes, families should also check the relevant eligibility and booking process because places are funded and may be subject to programme-specific availability.
Ealing Council’s Family Information Service is useful when you need to compare registered childcare options rather than searching individual websites one by one.
Ealing offers a broad range of holiday camps and kids clubs, from traditional playschemes and play centres to cricket, music, arts, circus and multi-activity programmes.
The best choice for a family depends on the child’s age, interests, location, required hours, budget and any additional support needs. Parents should check registration, safeguarding arrangements, collection procedures, food provision and emergency policies before booking.
For families seeking affordable options, Ealing’s HAF programme can provide free holiday activities and meals for eligible children, while the Family Information Service and Ealing Families Directory can help identify registered childcare.
Whether you live in Acton, Ealing, Greenford, Hanwell, Northolt, Perivale or Southall, comparing several options early can make the school holidays easier to organise and more enjoyable for children.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best holiday camps for children in Ealing?
Ealing has different types of camps rather than one option suitable for every child. Families can find sports, music, arts, circus, play and multi-activity programmes, depending on the child’s age and interests.
Are there free holiday clubs for children in Ealing?
Yes. Ealing’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme provides free activities and meals for eligible children during Easter, summer and Christmas holidays. Eligibility mainly includes children in Reception to Year 11 receiving benefits-related free school meals.
What age do children need to be for Ealing holiday camps?
There is no single age requirement. Different providers accept different age groups. For example, The Strings Club accepts children aged 4 to 11, while Leo’s Circus has offered camps for ages 6 to 15.
Can I find holiday childcare through Ealing Council?
Yes. Ealing Council’s Family Information Service provides information about registered childcare providers, including holiday schemes and other childcare options.
Are Ealing holiday camps Ofsted registered?
Some holiday childcare providers are Ofsted registered, but registration requirements depend on the nature and circumstances of the provision. Parents should check the individual provider’s registration status rather than assuming every camp is registered.
Are there holiday clubs for children with SEND in Ealing?
Parents can use Ealing’s Family Information Service and Local Offer to find information about support for children and young people with SEND. Individual holiday providers should also be contacted to discuss accessibility and support requirements.
How can I find a holiday club near my home in Ealing?
The Ealing Families Directory is a useful starting point for finding registered childcare and holiday schemes across the borough. You can also check local sports centres, play centres and specialist providers operating in areas such as Acton, Ealing, Hanwell, Northolt and Southall.
