How to get free summer holiday activities and food for your children
Key points
- If your child is enrolled for benefits-related free school meals, they can attend up to 16 days of free holiday club sessions with a hot meal included each day.
- Places are organised by your local council — contact them or your child's school now, as spaces in late August fill up fast.
- From September 2026, all UC families in England will qualify for free school meals, so even more children will be eligible for the holiday programme in future years.
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme gives children from low-income families free activities and a hot meal every day during school holidays. Summer sessions are still running — here is how to get a free place for your child.
Who can get a place?
Your child can attend free HAF sessions if they are:
- aged 4 to 16
- enrolled for benefits-related free school meals at their school
Benefits-related free school meals are for children whose families claim Universal Credit or certain other qualifying benefits. Ask your child's school if you are not sure — they can check quickly.
Important: all children in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 get a free school meal through a separate scheme. This does not count for HAF. Your child also needs to be enrolled for benefits-related free school meals to qualify for a holiday place.
What does each session include?
At each session your child gets:
- a free hot meal every day they attend
- a range of activities — sport, arts, cooking, music, and outdoor games
- a safe, supervised environment during the holiday
Children can attend for up to 16 days over the summer. Sessions are run by local councils through community groups, charities, and schools.
How to book
- Contact your local council to find out what sessions are still running near you.
- Ask your child's school for a voucher code to book online.
- Book as soon as you can — places in late August fill fast.
If you are not sure whether your child is enrolled for benefits-related free school meals, your child's school is the quickest place to check. They can confirm eligibility and hand over a voucher code at the same time.
Search for your next property on DSSmove →What if sessions near you are fully booked?
Ask your council if any dates are still available — councils often release extra spaces in the final weeks of the summer holidays.
If you need help with food costs more generally, ask your council about the Crisis and Resilience Fund. Citizens Advice can also point you to local food banks and other support close to you.
What changes in September 2026
From September 2026, all families claiming Universal Credit in England will qualify for free school meals regardless of earnings. This means more children will be eligible for HAF places from the 2026 to 2027 school year onwards.
If your child does not qualify this summer, they may qualify from September. Ask their school to confirm when the new rules take effect.
Frequently asked questions
My child gets a free school meal but I am not sure they qualify for HAF — who do I ask?
Your child's school can check whether they are enrolled for benefits-related free school meals and give you a voucher code to book — Citizens Advice can also help if you are unsure.
Does the Holiday Activities and Food programme cover the whole UK?
The HAF programme is funded by the government and run by local councils in England only — if you live in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, ask your local council about separate holiday food support in your area.
Official source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/holiday-activities-and-food-programme/holiday-activities-and-food-programme-2026-to-2027