SEND Friendly Events and Activities Summer 2025
School holidays can be challenging enough to plan, but for parents and caregivers of children with additional needs, finding inclusive and accessible activities can feel especially difficult. That’s why we’ve pulled together a selection of SEND-friendly events and venues designed to be welcoming, supportive and inclusive for all families so everyone can enjoy a fun and stress-free summer. 🌈
Ability to Play – Stay All Day Cramlington.
Summer holiday camp tailored for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities. Concordia Leisure Centre, every Thursday, 10am-3pm. Activities include Tenpin bowling and Clip n Climb.
Ability2Play | SEND local offer
Smile Through Sport
Activity sessions for children with SEND. Various activities and locations in Northumberland, Newcastle and Sunderland. For a full listing of activities, visit their website.
What’s On – Smile Through Sport
Haltwhistle Leisure Centre
Exclusive SEND sessions coming soon. Email: wilsonmaxine@hotmail.co.uk for more details or keep checking their website for more information.
WECAN
Providing various activities during the first five weeks of the summer holidays, either two or three days each week. Includes local activities as well as trips to activity venues in Northumberland, Newcastle and Cumbria.
WECAN – We Enable Children with Additional Needs | Hexham, Northumberland
Airbox Trampoline Park
Has SEN-specific sessions every Tuesday at 4:30 pm and Sunday at 9 am.
Alan Shearer Activity Centre
A specialist recreational, sensory and social centre for disabled people of all ages and caters to a wide spectrum of needs. All activities are completely free of charge for disabled children and adults, their families, friends, schools and groups.
https://alanshearercentre.org.uk/activity-centre
Pathways 4 All
A parent-led charity, providing play and leisure services for disabled children and young people, situated at the Tim Lamb Children’s Centre, Benton. They support hundreds of disabled children/young people and their families from across Tyne & Wear, Northumberland and County Durham. Pathways 4 All offers a range of services including family-focused events, supervised youth activities for children, teens and young adults, plus a popular summer holiday playscheme.
Riding for the Disabled
Horse and riding activities for children with learning difficulties and physical disabilities. Groups in Morpeth, Slaley and Alnwick.
Inclusive Cycling 1:1 Learn to Ride Sessions (FREE)
Various dates and times. Bring your own bike and helmet or borrow for the session. Thompson Park, Sunderland. Wednesday 30th July and 6th and 20th August. 9.30am-10.15am. Free event but ticket must be purchased.
Inclusive cycling (SEND) – 1:1 Learn to Ride Sessions (A4A) Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
Beach Access North East (FREE)
Provider of specialised beach access equipment free of charge. Bamburgh, Beadnell, Blyth, Newbiggin and Newton-by-the-Sea.
https://beachaccessnortheast.org/
Debbi’s Doodles
A safe, creative space for children with special educational needs. They specialise in creating individual plans to suit the child’s needs and requirements. Visit the website for a full list of weekly classes and summer holiday workshops.
Ranger Jane Beach School
Small group and 1-2-1 guided rockpool sessions with Ranger Jane. Dryrobes and helmets provided.
Beach School | Ranger Jane beach school | Seahouses
Neurofest @ The Life Centre
An inclusive, family-friendly event dedicated to celebrating neurodivergence and promoting inclusivity within our community. Friday 15th August. 11am-4pm. Life Science Centre. £8 per person/£32 Family ticket. Under 3s go free.
Cleaswell Hill Therapy Pool
This cutting-edge pool is equipped with adaptive technologies to create a stimulating and interactive experience. Available for private hire Monday to Wednesday, 10 am-3 pm. Email pool@cleaswellhill.org to book.
Exclusive family swimming sessions
For children/young people with SEND and their families. Jarrow Community Pool. Sessions are free for the family, and siblings are welcome. Floats, swimming aids, and toys are available for use. Saturdays throughout the summer holidays.
Exclusive SEND Family Swim Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
Low Hauxley Nature Reserve Family Trail (FREE)
Family-focused nature trail, Lloyd of the Flies Bug Hunt. Ideal for sensory exploration and bug lovers. The trail is open throughout the summer holidays.
Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre, Low Hauxley (FREE)
Tuesday 5th August. 2.30pm-4.00pm. Use the ID guides to hunt for bugs in the meadows and make your own bug hotel to take home. All equipment provided. Suitable outdoor clothing is a must. For ages 5+. Must be accompanied by an adult.
Family activity: minibeast safari | Northumberland Wildlife Trust
Relaxed Sunday Sessions at Life Science Centre
Sunday from 10.00am – 12.00pm. Next event July 13th. Normal admission charges apply.
Seven Stories (Children’s Books Centre)
Sensory-friendly storytelling workshops, craft sessions, and creative writing.
What’s On – Seven Stories | The National Centre for Children’s Books
Whitehouse Farm Relaxed Morning Sessions
A dedicated quiet time from 9am to 10am for anyone to access and enjoy, including autistic people and those with other sensory needs. This will allow visitors to experience the handling sessions before the usual rush. After the quiet hour, you are welcome to stay for the rest of the day. Visitors with a disability who require assistance and pay the standard entry fee are eligible for one reduced-price carer ticket. The reduced ticket cost is £9.00. There are 3 sensory rooms in a quiet area of the farm, designed with high-quality equipment. They are free of charge to use. They are locked and need an access code (available in the giftshop). Please just ask a member of staff and we can give you the codes, no questions asked. They are kept locked to ensure they are used for the intended purpose only. Sensory bags are available to hire from the gift shop – each will include ear defenders, sunglasses, a mask, a pressure bracelet and ring, a few fidget toys and a mini poppet. A deposit of £20 will be required and they can be purchased if needed.
https://www.whitehousefarmcentre.co.uk
Northburn Sports & Community Centre
SENsational Circus and Dance Camp Monday 11th, 18th and 25th August. 10-12 pm. Suitable for 6 years +.
A summer of FREE fun activities with Cramlington Town Council! – Cramlington Town Council
Freestyle Session for all. Inclusive fun play session for children with additional needs and their families. £5 per session. Sessions for under 10’s on 24th July, 31st July and 7th Aug. Sessions for over 10’s on 22nd July, 29th July, 5th Aug, 19th Aug and 26th Aug.
Email amy.foggett01@northumberland.gov.uk to book.
Northumberland Zoo Quiet Hour (term time only)
Specially designed to offer a more peaceful, sensory-considerate environment for all our visitors. This experience is inclusive and not just for those with disabilities, but also for elderly guests, people with mental health challenges, and anyone who simply prefers a quieter visit. There is also designated quiet areas throughout the zoo to allow visitors to break from sensory-rich experiences, plus fidgets, noise-cancelling earmuffs and sensory-friendly maps available for use.
Quiet Hours | Northumberland Zoo
Stony Pastures
Offer a 1-hour interactive animal experience which is exclusive to the person booking (no other people are present). They accommodate children and adults with varying needs. However, they cannot accommodate wheelchairs at the moment unless they are built for off-road use. The meet and greet is £25 for up to 5 people.
Adaptive Ocean Academy – Blyth South Beach (FREE)
Throughout the summer, Adaptive Ocean Academy are running free events to introduce as many people to adaptive surfing as possible. These events are suitable for anybody aged 6+ and they actively encourage adults to try surfing too.
https://www.adaptiveoceanacademy.com
SEN Surf Club (FREE)
South Shields Surf provide sessions for people with additional needs. They have regular clubs and sessions on offer. All equipment is provided.
SEND Surfing, SUP & Ocean Sessions | south-shields-surf
CUB Play Cafe, Blyth
They don’t offer any SEND-specific sessions at the moment but will be trialling a quiet session on Saturday 9th August.
Cub Play Cafe | A Unique Montessori Inspired Play Cafe | Blyth, UK
Brocksbushes Farm Quiet Sessions in the Play Barn
Every Tuesday from 09:30 AM – 11:30 AM (term time only), designed for families who prefer a more peaceful environment. These sessions have reduced capacity, no loud music or noise, and are especially suitable for children with sensory sensitivities or special educational needs.
Children’s Play Barn at Brocksbushes Farm Shop
Toby’s Magical Garden
An enchanting, quiet and safe place to visit with the family. £10 for 2 hours (max 8 people). Featuring a lake view, storytelling chairs, water walls and sound sculpture.
Toby’s Garden – calendar – The Toby Henderson Trust
Hexham Community Centre – Summer Games and Craft Stay and Play (FREE)
During these sessions, there will be a separate quiet space, featuring the same activities, for children who require it. Every Monday, 11.30 am-2.00 pm. Suitable for ages 4-10 years.
Hexham Community Centre Holiday Play Dates
Unite Club
Offer a range of SEND/ND friendly activities during the school holidays. These activities are delivered by the SEND specialist team. Follow their Facebook page for upcoming events and activities.
www.facebook.com/officialuniteclub
Blyth Sports Centre – Soft Play SEND sessions
Every Wednesday, 5pm-6.15pm. Suitable for ages 0-10 years. Book via the Places Leisure website.
Blyth Sports Centre | Places Leisure
Tanga Club
Tanga Club have various activities and trips organised over the summer holidays, including inflatable pool sessions, railway trips and forest school activities in the woods.
Junior Wheelchair Rugby
Every Tuesday at Gateshead Leisure Centre. 6.30pm-8pm. All equipment provided and the first four sessions are free. Junior Wheelchair Rugby is a mixed gender sport, open to children and teenagers aged 6 to 18, living with any permanent physical disability. They do not need to be a full time wheelchair user to play.
Play Junior Wheelchair Rugby — Newcastle Wheelchair Rugby Club
Family Hubs
Peep sessions for children with Additional Needs & Disabilities (Peep AND) FREE. Weekly play session every Monday suitable for children with additional needs or waiting for an assessment. This is an inclusive and friendly group for parents and carers of children 5 years and under. Term time only.
SEND Safe Space. Every Tuesday 9.30am-12pm. All ages welcome.
www.familyhubsnorthumberland.co.uk
Newcastle Libraries Quiet Hour
10am to 11am every Saturday on Level 3 of City Library. Reduced noise to make the library quieter and calmer to help customers with autism and other additional needs.
City Library | Newcastle City Council
Spectrum Holidays
Holiday homes for neurodivergent families facing barriers to accessing suitable holiday accommodation.
Spectrum Holidays CIO – holiday accommodations
Newcastle United Foundation – Neurodiverse Kicks
Specialist session for young people diagnosed with autism or in the process of referral. Every Wednesday 6pm – 7pm (8 – 11 Years). The Parks, Howdon Road, North Shields. Every Thursday 6pm – 7pm (12 – 18 Years) NUCASTLE, Diana Street, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Tynemouth Aquarium
A fun aquarium experience for all visitors, including those with additional needs. Tickets for guests with additional needs can be purchased at the gate, one carer is admitted free with each disabled guest ticket, proof of carer status will be required on entry and any additional carers will need to purchase a standard ticket. For all the upcoming events, visit their website.
Upcoming Events | Events and Experiences | Tynemouth Aquarium
Clart About Sensory Café, Consett
A safe, stimulating and relaxing environment designed to be inclusive of all children from birth. Their pay it forward play sessions support those who may be struggling financially or struggling with their mental health, are feeling isolated, and would like to get out of the house and meet new friends in a warm, welcoming and non-judgmental environment.
Owl Tree Community Nest – Sensory Room
The sensory room is available for exclusive hire for £10 per hour. In the case of exclusive use, you can have more adults, for example, a group of 6 parents could book to go in together if you are all from the same party. If cost is in any way an obstacle to you attending the café, a “free funded option” is available when booking and no payment will be taken.
Sensory Room | The Owl Tree Children’s Cafe
KMF Camping
This campsite has been working hard to ensure that it is fully inclusive for all guests. They have created a custom accessible compost toilet and built showers and washing up area that are all fully accessible. They can assist you with your tent and unloading as required. Keep an the website for their Special Solo Parenting and SEN weekends.
Raring2go! Magazine and Website
Click here to read the Raring2go! Northumberland summer issue, and don’t forget to check our website regularly for up-to-date events and activities.
