Children and young people can take part in action-packed summer activities in north Oxfordshire, after a council-run programme gets underway.
Published: Tuesday, 28th July 2026
Cherwell District Council are running a range of events across the district for children aged 5 to 16, with activities available for free or at low cost to families.
Taking place throughout the school holidays in July and August, the programme offers a wide range of activities for children, as well as family-friendly community events and leadership opportunities for teenagers.
The activities offer a healthy mix of sports, arts, nature activities, and games, and will be held in Banbury, Bicester, Kidlington, and surrounding villages, making it easier for families to access the fun. The programme also provides additional opportunities for children and families seeking local activities over the summer period, including while some facilities at Bicester Leisure Centre are temporarily unavailable.
Councillor Lisa Smith, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, said: “The summer holidays bring the wonderful opportunity for our younger residents to take their learning outside of the classroom and enjoy the physical and social benefits of group and sporting activities.
“From cricket to football, and tennis to crafting, the sessions will help children make new friendships, build their confidence and enjoy learning from qualified Youth Activator leaders.”
Over the course of the summer break, there will be a variety of activities on offer, including multi-skills sessions for children aged 5 to 11, as well as multi-sport sessions for young people aged 12 to 16.
One-day community events for families will be held in July and August, including OPA Bicester Play Day and a Have-a-Go event at Spiceball Leisure Centre, where residents can try a variety of activities provided by local clubs and organisations.
For young people aged 14 to 18, an Active Leader course running from 24 to 28 August will provide the opportunity to develop leadership skills, gain experience in running activities and build confidence for future employment or volunteering opportunities.
All staff leading the sessions are First Aid trained and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked. For further information about the sessions and to book, visit www.getoxfordshireactive.org/youmovecherwell