Six ways to make the most of the six week holidays ☀️
📖 Article published on Thursday 3 July 2025.
Six weeks off school is stretching ahead...and for parents the battle against boredom begins!
But fear not, as we’ve curated six family days out in Sheffield city centre to help keep your little and not-so-little ones busy.
Half of the main attractions are free at the point of entry, and we’ve also signposted to nearby lunch spots and activities so you can make the most of the trip.
📝 Please note: all information correct at time of publication.
Here goes...
1️⃣ Family gaming day in Sheffield city centre 🕹️
2️⃣ Family day by the seaside in Sheffield city centre 🏖️
3️⃣ Family free day out in Sheffield city centre ⭐
4️⃣ Family festival day out in Sheffield city centre 🎉
5️⃣ Family museum day in Sheffield city centre 🚓
6️⃣ Family trail challenge in Sheffield city centre 👣
🕹️ Family gaming day in Sheffield city centre
National Videogame Museum, Angel Street
Thursday to Sunday and daily in August, 10am-5pm
Special summer holiday ticket offer available
Making and playing will come together with summer holiday events at Sheffield’s National Videogame Museum.
The museum is home to more than 100 videogames from all genres and decades. But it has a mission stretching far beyond just plugging in - exploring the history, future and potential of videogames.
This summer’s special events include an exciting partnership with LEGO Group, to celebrate 30 years of their videogames, and Make It! Play It!
The latter will encourage digital making through artforms such as animation, clay, embroidery and illustration, among others.
A new special ticket offer means visitors can also pay once and return as many times as they wish during the school holidays.
Cat Powell, Director of Visitor Experience at the museum, said: “We’re really excited for Make It! Play It! which offers a new dimension for families to explore at the museum.
“Our partnership with the LEGO Group will focus on their videogames but also building with the famous brick through activity sessions.
“Everything we are doing this summer brings in building and craft skills alongside gaming, so it’s perfect for children to learn something new while having fun at the same time.
“With our new ticket offer, families will also be able to return as many times as they like over the holidays.”
Make It! Play It! runs from Thursday 24 July through to Monday 1 September 2025.
Keep an eye on the museum’s social media channels for news on other drop-in activities.
Any ticket purchased for the summer period can be used to visit the museum again for free any time until Monday 1 September (T&Cs apply).
Find out more at https://thenvm.org/make-it-play-it/
Where to eat:
Enjoy great coffee, baked goods and the quirky environment of Hygge, just a short stroll away on Fitzalan Square. The kids will love the hanging chairs and cosy corners to lounge in.
Where to shop:
For pocket money treats, head to B&M Bargains on Haymarket, also a great-value destination for home and gardening essentials.
Bonus activity:
Take the gaming vibe offline with an afternoon spent at The Gamers Guide, on East Parade. They have a huge collection of board game adventures for all ages, including plenty of niche ones to try.
🏖️ Family day by the seaside in Sheffield city centre
Sheffield by the Seaside, Peace Gardens
Daily - from 10am to 6pm - Friday 25 July to Sunday 24 August
Free activity
Dig out your bucket and spade - for the beach is back in town!
When the schools are out, Sheffield by the Seaside brings its free sandy beach back to the Peace Gardens.
This gives families the chance to enjoy building sandcastles without the need to travel to the seaside.
There’s also a traditional helter skelter, swing rides and the ever-popular hook-a-duck to enjoy - extra charges apply.
Where to eat:
Continue the theme with a classic fish and chips lunch from Brenda’s, on Earl Way. This traditional chippy has plenty of regulars who rave about the food, and provides the option of sitting in or taking away.
Where to shop:
If you are heading on holiday, pick up new swimwear, shoes and summer fashions at TK Maxx in Orchard Square, known for its designer ranges at discounted prices.
Bonus activity:
Make a splash at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre. Kids will love the wave and toddler pools. For parents, floating along the lazy river is as close as it gets to taking it easy during the school break.
⭐ Family free day out in Sheffield city centre
Sheffield Cathedral, Church Street
Open daily
Free or £2 for the trail
A stunning exhibition and family trail are on offer at Sheffield Cathedral this summer.
The Cathedral, which also offers guided tours and has its own coffee shop, will welcome Threads Through the Cross by renowned textile artist Jacqui Parkinson from 7 August.
There will also be a trail for children and families to explore and discover the historic Cathedral. The trail costs £2 per child, with a prize for those who complete it.
Jasmine Givan, marketing manager at Sheffield Cathedral, said: “Our family trails always tend to go down really well with visitors. Sometimes we add on activities for children to get involved with as well.
“On 23 August, we also have Little Hummingbirds Market with a mix of vintage, craft and artisan makers from Sheffield which is ideal for the whole family.
“Sheffield Cathedral is always a family-friendly place, people can always pop in for free to see our stunning architecture or learn about the building’s history - we also have guided tours available.
“Our cafe always has a child-friendly menu and we are also dog-friendly.”
Threads Through the Cross is a large-scale exhibition taking visitors on a powerful journey through the final days of Jesus’s life through 18 bold and beautiful stitched panels. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of £10 for families.
Where to eat:
Bring a picnic to eat al fresco in the Peace Gardens, or call into independent cafe Couch on Campo Lane for a recharge on their sofas, plus enjoy delicious breakfasts, brunches and lunches.
Where to shop:
Pick up dinner items at M&S on Fargate, where you can also stock up on school uniform essentials before the new term begins.
Bonus activity:
Sheffield Central Children’s Library is always a great place to stop in for a sit-down, a book and some free playtime. There are also regular babytime, storytime and chatterbox sessions plus one-off activities to enjoy.
🎉 Family festival day out in Sheffield city centre
The Fringe at Tramlines, city-wide with the main stage at Devonshire Green
Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 July, with the main stage on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July.
Fancy a free, family-friendly festival where you can get the bus home afterwards?
The Fringe at Tramlines - which attracted 45,000 people last year and is supported by Sheffield BID - is the answer.
The fringe to iconic Tramlines, in Hillsborough Park, incorporates more than 40 venues with a main stage at Devonshire Green again this year.
Stage headliners include returning favourites Jungle Lion, reggae star Macka B and the Roots Ragga Band, plus artists from Tracks music project, which is supported by Ed Sheeran.
Across the city centre, music events will also be held in pubs, outdoor spaces like the Peace Gardens, shops and independent venues.
The thronging streets create a carnival atmosphere and there’s always plenty of extra entertainment for all ages - from face-painting to fairground rides, delicious food and much more.
Where to eat:
You’ll be spoiled for choice with festival food traders. Away from the crowds, we recommend Rudy’s Pizza on Division Street if you need a sit down, and the classic Sheffield pork sandwich shop Béres on Pinstone Street for a quick, satisfying lunch on the go.
Where to shop:
For festival outfits, head to pre-loved clothing store St Luke’s on The Moor. Lifestyle label Lucy & Yak, known for their funky dungarees, is also due to open on Cambridge Street this summer.
Bonus activity:
Head to Pounds Park - ideally located between the main stage and Peace Gardens - to let little legs run around or cool down in the Peace Garden fountains.
🚓 Family museum day in Sheffield city centre
National Emergency Services Museum, West Bar Green
Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-4pm
From £7.50 for a child ticket
Get into the role of a lifesaver with a trip to the award-winning NESM on West Bar Green.
This treasure trove of a museum takes visitors on an immersive journey to discover the history of our emergency services.
There’s vintage vehicles, a jail, lifeboat and life-saving equipment packed into three floors, plus an outside yard.
This summer the museum is also hosting seaside-themed special activities, with more details to be announced soon.
Where to eat:
A short stroll away on Snig Hill lies Albies coffee shop. Refuel with French toast, loaded bagels and all kinds of baked goodies.
Where to shop:
Stock up on art supplies and summer craft activities in Fred Aldous, in the heart of Fitzalan Square.
Bonus activity:
Make it a full day of museum fun by calling into The Millennium Gallery on Surrey Street, where there are plenty of family activities lined up over the summer. Their new exhibition, Colour, brings together 150 objects spanning art, science, nature and cultural and interactive activities to explore the spectacular world of colour.
Exhibits include carnival costumes, sand art and a new large-scale mural by artist Grace Visions, created as part of Sheffield’s Lick of Paint street art festival.
👣 Family trail challenge in Sheffield city centre
Sector Safari, city centre wide
On now and running through August
Free activity
Discover different careers - and Sheffield’s vibrant independent businesses - on a new interactive trail.
Sector Safari is a walking adventure through the city centre, where young people and their families can learn more about different careers.
Every venue on the trail has a QR code which can be scanned to find out information about the company and its jobs, some fun facts and puzzles to complete.
The trail takes around two to three hours to complete, and calls at organisations as diverse as bookshops, architects, Sheffield Theatres, a gallery, pub, charity Roundabout and even a fire station.
It’s an alternative to work experience placements for older children, and a great way to get all ages fired up about potential careers.
To take part, collect a map from one of four hubs, detailed here.
Sector Safari is part of the See It Be It Campaign from Sheffield Council.
Where to eat:
One of the stops on the trail is The Moor Market, which contains a hidden gem of a food hall. Try authentic Thai food at Lemongrass (we recommend the Tom Yum rice or £10.99 lunch specials, which include a curry, gyoza or spring rolls, and rice).
Where to shop:
Tick summer haircuts off the list, and pick up summer reading material, at retail and leisure destination Orchard Square, another stop on the trail.
Bonus activity:
After all that walking, take a seat and catch one of the latest blockbusters (hello new Jurassic World) at the Odeon Luxe on Arundel Gate.