Long school holidays can be tough to fill. Free clubs, activities and meals are out there, but what we can get depends on where we live.
School holidays can be brilliant for kids. For parents? Not always.
When school shuts, the usual routine goes with it. Suddenly there are more hours to fill, more meals and snacks to sort, and more pressure on the budget.
The good news is there is help out there. The good news is there is help out there. Some schemes offer free activities, sports, games, crafts, trips or play sessions. Many also include a meal, so kids can eat while they are there.
The annoying bit? It is not the same across the UK. England has the Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF). Wales has Food and Fun. Scotland has council-led holiday food help. Northern Ireland has different support again.
Here’s what families need to know before the holidays hit.
England – HAF
In England, the main scheme is the Holiday Activities and Food programme, or HAF.
It offers free holiday club places with food and activities for children from low-income families. That could mean sports, games, crafts, cooking, trips, outdoor play or other sessions. A healthy meal should be included too.
HAF mainly runs during the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays. Some councils may offer a bit of help during half-term too, but that depends on the local area.
The scheme is mainly for school-age children who get benefits-related free school meals. Councils can also offer some places to other children they think would benefit, so it is still worth asking if we are struggling but do not fit the usual rules.
HAF rules can be fiddly, especially with free school meals changing later in 2026. So the safest move is to check our council’s HAF page and ask school for any booking code.
Booking dates are local. Some summer HAF places open in June, others in early July, and popular sessions can fill up fast. Search online for our council name and “HAF”. Schools may also send booking codes, links or letters.
One thing to watch: free school meal holiday vouchers are stopping or changing in many parts of England. Some councils may offer one last round this summer, but the old automatic voucher support is being wound down. Instead, help is moving towards local support based on need. If we got vouchers before, check with school or the council to see what is happening this time
Scotland – Check for payments or vouchers
Scotland does not have HAF. Instead, help during the school holidays is handled by local councils.
Families who get free school meals may be able to get extra support during the holidays, usually through direct cash payments or food vouchers. This can include summer, Christmas, Easter and some mid-term breaks.
But rules and payment dates can vary by council. Some payments may be automatic if we already get free school meals. Others may need an application.
Search our council website for “free school meals holiday support” or “school holiday food payments”. If our situation has changed, we can apply as soon as we start getting a qualifying benefit. We do not have to wait for the new school term.
Wales – Food and Fun
In Wales, the scheme to look for is Food and Fun. Its official name is the School Holiday Enrichment Programme.
It runs through schools in areas where families may need extra support. Children can get healthy meals, food and nutrition activities, physical activity and fun sessions during the summer holidays.
Because it is school-based, not every school will run it. The best move is to ask our child’s school if Food and Fun is available, or check with the local council.
Northern Ireland – Food Grants & Community Schemes
Northern Ireland does not have HAF either.
The most important thing for families right now is to check whether we can get Free School Meals and a Uniform Grant for the school year starting in September 2026.
Applications are open now. The Education Authority says families should apply before 31 July 2026 to help make sure support is in place for the new school year.
This may not solve the summer holiday food bill, but it can make a big difference once school starts again.
What should we do now?
Before the holidays hit, it’s worth doing a quick support check:
- Check free school meal eligibility. If income has dropped, benefits have changed, or someone has joined or left the household, we may now qualify.
- Ask school what’s running. They may have booking codes, forms, dates or links for local holiday clubs.
- Search the council website. Try “HAF”, “Food and Fun”, “holiday food help”, “free school meals holiday support” or “school holiday food payments”.
- Look beyond the council. Libraries, family hubs, community centres, charities, churches and youth groups may run free or low-cost activities too.
- Move quickly. Places can be limited, and popular sessions can fill up fast.
Image: RDNE stock project/Pexels
