The six-week school holiday has reached its mid-point and for families facing the familiar cry of “I’m bored”, camps, woods, water and wildlife are ready to fill the days.
For parents trying to keep children busy, active and off screens during the long break, east Devon’s holiday clubs offer everything from campfire cooking and canoeing to Nerf battles, pony time, sport and animal encounters.
Exmouth goes outdoors
At St Peter’s Preparatory School in Lympstone, Sporty Stars runs Ofsted-registered multi-activity camps for children from Nursery age through to Year 6. The main camp is for children aged five to 12, while Little Stars caters for Nursery and Reception children. Days run from 8.15am to 5.15pm, offering useful cover for working parents. Activities include bubble football, swimming, Nerf wars, arts and crafts, den building, glow sports, inflatables, foot darts, archery and multi-sports. Swimming is available to children during the summer holidays, using the school’s on-site pool.
For a muddier adventure, The Outdoors Group Forest School at Leeford Woods offers holiday clubs for five to 15-year-olds. At £37 per day, children can climb trees, swing, build dens, make mud pies, relax in hammocks and tackle cargo nets in the spruce woodland off Salterton Road. There may be woodwork, whittling, campfire cooking, fire lighting or games on the menu too. The emphasis is firmly on outdoor play and trying something different.
Then there is Red Rock Outdoor, for children keen to get wet. Its beach sessions offer paddleboarding, windsurfing, surfing, kayaking, bodyboarding, water games and beach games.
Saddle up in Budleigh
For children who dream of ponies rather than penalty shoot-outs, Budleigh Salterton Riding School runs pony-club camps. The camps involve several hours of riding each day and are aimed at children confident at walk-and-trot level or above. Devon’s Holiday Activities and Food programme listings also identify the riding school as a provider for children aged four to 10. It is a chance for young riders to spend serious time in the saddle during the school break, rather than fitting lessons around term-time routines.
Wild days in Seaton
Nature takes centre stage at Seaton Wetlands, where the summer holiday club is aimed at seven to 11-year-olds. Led by education ranger Penny, sessions feature wetland wildlife, creative crafts and campfire cooking. It is designed for children who would rather search for creatures, get hands-on with nature and make things than spend the day indoors. The club has proved hugely popular, and many summer children’s activities have already sold out. Families should keep checking wildeastdevon.co.uk for cancellations or extra sessions.
Sidmouth’s high-energy answer
In Sidmouth, Sporty Stars runs its multi-activity camp at St John’s School until August 27. Open to five to 12-year-olds from across east Devon, the club uses the sports hall, outdoor areas and swimming pool. Children can expect Nerf wars, zorbing, glow-in-the-dark sports, archery tag, inflatables and multi-sports, with swimming sessions three times a week. The camp runs from 8.15am to 5.15pm, with flexible drop-off and collection during that period.
Honiton’s HAF holiday help
At Honiton Rugby Club, Healthy Appetite and Activities is running a summer Holiday Activities and Food programme with sport, creative activities, play-based challenges, go-karts, animal sensory workshops and children’s entertainers. Visits from police and fire services add another element to the sessions, while every day includes a nutritious hot meal and healthy snacks. The club runs from 10am to 2pm on August 11–14, August 17–20 and August 24–27.
Footy in Ottery
Football fans can head to Ottery St Mary Leisure Centre, where Saints Southwest runs soccer schools for children aged five to 11. Full-day sessions normally run from 10am to 3pm, with early drop-off from 9am. FA-qualified coaches lead drills, ball mastery, small-sided games and tournaments, split into Infant sessions for five to seven-year-olds and Junior sessions for eight to 11-year-olds.
Axminster gets active
At Axminster Town Football Club, Activate Camps is offering a multi-activity camp for five to 14-year-olds. Children rotate through sport, games, challenges, arts and crafts, and nutritional activities. Football, dodgeball, basketball, hockey, tennis, parachute games, seed planting, colouring, painting and pasta games are all part of the mix. Sessions run from 10am to 2pm. HAF-eligible places are free, while paid places cost £30 per child, per session.
Help with holiday costs
Devon’s Holiday Activities and Food programme can provide up to 16 holiday sessions for children from Reception to Year 11 who receive benefit-related free school meals. Sessions usually include an activity and a healthy meal. Some extended-criteria places are also prioritised, including for young carers.
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