Free And Affordable Summer Holiday Activities In Devon
As the summer holidays approach, are you ready to entertain your little ones? Our libraries have a variety of free and affordable events and activities available across the county.
Our Summer Book Quest starts on the 11th July with fun transport-themed launch events in libraries. It’s completely free to join and a great way to get your little ones enjoying stories and fun activities over the holidays. Plus, there’s plenty of family-friendly crafting, theatre and workshops in our libraries throughout the summer!
Want to get outside and explore the beautiful Devon countryside this summer? Why not use the free Outdoor Explorer resources and activities to find accessible trails and beaches near you. Explore The Outdoor Explorer Club here.
Find free and affordable summer holiday activities in Devon libraries to keep your little ones entertained this summer without breaking the bank.
North Devon And Torridge
Workshops
- LEGO Spike Workshops – Combine coding and LEGO to create robots! Use creative and problem-solving skills in a relaxed setting to learn something new.
- LEGO Builders – Come and build a LEGO creation to be put on display in the library.
Free drop-in sessions. Running on 27th July, 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th August – more information here.
Family Theatre
- The Hairy Hands of Dartmoor: A Farfetched Folktale – Interactive family-friendly theatre that puts a playful spin on a local legend. Exploring themes of rumours and opening up conversations about mis/disinformation.
Best suited for 6-10 year-olds and their families!
Book your place here for 25th July.
- Horrible Science – Join Nick Arnold for hair-raising highlights from the world’s bestselling kids’ science series: HORRIBLE SCIENCE. Crazy challenges, foul facts, putrid poems and queasy quizzes – this show is rib-tickling, roof-raising, rip-roaring family fun.
Crafts And Art
Create a willow-and-tissue hot-air balloon lantern with artist Jane Churchill, or enjoy an intro to relief printing with Emma Turner. These accessible workshops are great for youngsters who want to try a new creative skill and get expert guidance to unleash their artistic flair.
Family Theatre
- The Librarians – Come to watch the hilarious misadventures of librarians Mr Page and Miss Book through their library of unusual books. A magical story for family audiences in BSL and spoken English together. At the end of the show celebrate everyone’s stories by becoming a new author for the library, with a chance to perform your ideas on stage.
30th July, suitable for ages 4-9 years – book here.
Family Theatre
- The Librarians – Come to watch the hilarious misadventures of librarians Mr Page and Miss Book through their library of unusual books. A magical story for family audiences in BSL and spoken English together. At the end of the show celebrate everyone’s stories by becoming a new author for the library, with a chance to perform your ideas on stage.
30th July, suitable for ages 4-9 years – book here.
Crafts And Art
- Sculpture Workshop – A creative and eco-friendly art activity! Participants will craft 2D and 3D artworks using recycled and reclaimed materials like plastic, wood, metal, household objects, and beach waste. Add hand-operated moving parts and sound features for an interactive touch.
29th July – book here.
Crafts And Art
- Sculpture Workshop – A creative and eco-friendly art activity! Participants will craft 2D and 3D artworks using recycled and reclaimed materials like plastic, wood, metal, household objects, and beach waste. Add hand-operated moving parts and sound features for an interactive touch.
28th July – book here.
Activities
- The Summer Book Quest Launch – Journey into a summer adventure with characters Pip, Zena and Libro this summer. Meet their new friends including Pixie the Pigeon! On our Launch Day children can create and zoom off with a fruity car, choose and personalise a vehicle to travel on their library journey, make a travel journal to use over the summer.
11th July, drop-in – learn more here.
Activities
- The Great Town Trek: Birds & Brave Hearts – Enjoy a trail around South Molton and learn some fun facts about pigeons, seagulls & explorers! Return your sheet to be entered into a prize draw.
Available all summer starting on the 11th July. Learn more here.
- Paws, Claws & Tales, with Exmoor Zoo – Transform your next library visit into a wild adventure with our live Exmoor Zoo Roadshow. Meet amazing animals up close and hear fascinating stories from an expert handler.
3rd August – book online here.
- The Backyard Basecamp – A Garden Campfire Adventure!– Looking for a fun, screen-free activity for the kids? Step out of the library doors and into our outdoor wonderland! We are turning the garden behind the library into a cozy “campsite” for a morning of fresh air, creativity, and campfire fun.
1st August – learn more here.
Crafts And Art
- Papercraft Pigeon – Introducing Pixie the Pigeon, one of the lovable characters of this year’s Summer Book Quest! In this FREE drop in craft, children can make their very own Pixie to take home and explore with.
23rd July – learn more here.
- Terrific Trains – It’s full steam ahead where young conductors make their own train ticket, build their very own Thomas the Tank Engine mini model as well as making all his friends too!
5th August – learn more here.
- 3D Planes Craft – We’ll be using recycled materials to create planes with propellers that actually spin!
1st September – learn more here.
Workshops
- Coding Workshop – Learn to code a “Flappy Bird” style of game in this fun free workshop! We’ll be coding the game from start to finish, with beginner-friendly instructions provided. Children will use our donated laptops to take part and will be able to save their games to play at home and at school.
13th August, free workshop, booking essential – learn more here.
- Eco Engines On The Move – Join us for a hands-on, high-velocity workshop where young creators build vehicles that move entirely under their own power! No batteries, no plugs—just pure creativity, and eco-friendly engineering.
25th August, free workshop, booking essential – learn more here.
Mid Devon
Family Theatre
- The Librarians – Come to watch the hilarious misadventures of librarians Mr Page and Miss Book through their library of unusual books. A magical story for family audiences in BSL and spoken English together. At the end of the show celebrate everyone’s stories by becoming a new author for the library, with a chance to perform your ideas on stage.
28th July, suitable for ages 4-9 years – book here.
Workshops
- Moon Monsters – Calling all little monsters aged 6-11 and their grown-ups! Join Helen from Above Bounds Theatre and Laura Loft of Big Music Collective for a fun, relaxed sound and music workshop, where you can help us to decide what Moon Monsters sound like.
6th August – book here.
Crafts And Art
- Wooden Hot Air Ballons – Create colourful hot air balloon decorations!
11th August, 11 am – 12 pm, drop-in session.
Activities
- LEGO Club – Build LEGO for free in the library!
20th August, 10 am – 12 pm, drop-in session.
Activities
- The Summer Book Quest Launch Party – Sign up for The Summer Book Quest, with fun and games including special guest Entertainingly Different, ride on didi cars to try and a visit from Pikachu!
11th July – learn more here.
- Especially Welcome – Relaxed sensory play session, children with additional needs are especially welcome at this drop in event.
Mondays (except August Bank Holiday), 10 am – 12pm.
- STEM Storytime – Stories and science activities for children aged 5-11 years.
28th July and 25th August, 2.30-3.30pm – drop-in.
- Friday Fundays – Celebrate The Summer Book Quest: Mission to Wayfarer Island with crafts and games for under 12s.
on Fridays between 24th July to 28th August, 10am-12pm – drop-in.
West Devon
Activities
- Create Our Summer Book Quest Display – Help us to create our ‘Mission to Wayfarer Island’ Summer Book Quest display and sign up to the challenge!
11th July, 9.30am – 12.30pm, drop-in for summer fun.
- Transport Fun – Tracks, roads and wheels! There’s plenty of transport fun in the library. Play with Lego, trains and cars.
3rd – 8th August – drop-in during library opening hours
- Travel By Narrowboat Or Tuk-Tuk? – Colour-in and decorate your own narrowboat or tuk-tuk in the library!
17th – 22nd August – drop-in during library opening hours
East Devon
Family Theatre
- Locked in the Library – Mia got caught up reading one of her favourite books in the corner of the library, but when she realises it has gotten dark outside, it’s too late… she’s locked in! Join Mia as she meets lots of interesting characters in her attempt to escape the building, and the possibility of being stuck in the world of books forever.
11th July – book your tickets here.
Family Theatre
- The Librarians – Come to watch the hilarious misadventures of librarians Mr Page and Miss Book through their library of unusual books. A magical story for family audiences in BSL and spoken English together. At the end of the show celebrate everyone’s stories by becoming a new author for the library, with a chance to perform your ideas on stage.
29th July, suitable for ages 4-9 years – book online here.
Family Theatre
- The Librarians – Come to watch the hilarious misadventures of librarians Mr Page and Miss Book through their library of unusual books. A magical story for family audiences in BSL and spoken English together. At the end of the show celebrate everyone’s stories by becoming a new author for the library, with a chance to perform your ideas on stage.
29th July, suitable for ages 4-9 years – book online here.
Workshops
- The Summer Book Quest Coding Workshop – Come along to the library for a Summer Book Quest-themed coding workshop!
11th August, 2 – 4pm, book tickets at the library.
Activities
- LEGO And Board Games – Join us in the library on Fridays for LEGO and games.
Fridays from 24th July – 7th August, 9.30am – 12pm.
Teignbridge And South Hams
Activities
- Horse And Cart Rides – Free horse and cart rides will be available to children signing up to the Summer Book Quest in Buckfastleigh. Come in to the library to learn about the history of local horse and cart transport, make you own folk art horse and then join the Dartmoor Carriages team for a 10 minute ride around town.
27th July – book here.
- Boat Building And Floating In Buckfastleigh – Join us for boat building out of lolly pop sticks and recycled materials. Boats will be stored over the weekend and on Monday 10th, we’ll test them out at Buckfastleigh Swimming Pool! Mini prizes will be bestowed on those who can go the fastest, carry the most weight and look the most beautiful whilst afloat.
7th August, with the float-test on 10th August – learn more here.
- Lets Talk Trains – A member of South Devon Railway will be coming along to talk to us about steam trains, how they run and what it was like to travel on them in the past. We’ll also be running train crafts!
1st September – learn more here.
Activities
- Wheels And Wonders – Make your own vehicles, learn about steam and STEM, listen to a story and investigate books about other land-based transport in this drop-in session.
25th July, 10.30am – 12.30pm – drop-in session.
- In The Sky And Sea – Come along and test paper aeroplane designs, build boats that float and make other fascinating transport-themed crafts at this summer drop-in.
13th August, 10.30am – 12.30pm – drop-in session.
Family Theatre
- The Librarians – Come to watch the hilarious misadventures of librarians Mr Page and Miss Book through their library of unusual books. A magical story for family audiences in BSL and spoken English together. At the end of the show celebrate everyone’s stories by becoming a new author for the library, with a chance to perform your ideas on stage.
31st July, suitable for ages 4-9 years – book online here.
- The Hairy Hands of Dartmoor: A Farfetched Folktale – Interactive family-friendly theatre that puts a playful spin on a local legend. Exploring themes of rumours and opening up conversations about mis/disinformation.
Best suited for 6-10 year-olds and their families!
20th August, book online here.
Workshops
- News Detective Workshop – Become a news detective! Learn to spot fake news and navigate the media safely. Enjoy fun and engaging activities to learn about spotting misinformation, managing feelings about the news and what we see online and more.
Book a workshop on 28th July or 11th August.
Workshops
- Summer Printmaking Workshop – Try printing mono prints and collagraphs on the Summer Book Quest theme of Transport. Cut new shapes from cardboard based on the theme and use ready-made examples to print delightful scenes in multiple colours. You will use the printing press to make unique and vibrant images.
13th August, suitable for all ages 5 years and up – book online here.
Activities
- The Big Summer Book Quest Launch – Create twig rafts to float in our paddling pool, creating rocking boats using paper plates and making fantastic flags. Let your imagination set sail!
18th July, free drop-in event – find out more here.
Exeter
Family Theatre
- Farewell Jamaica – A captivating and heartwarming show about home, heritage and the impact of Windrush. Told with humour, storytelling, and music, this is a show about identity, belonging, and resilience. A show about how heritage shapes our sense of self. It explores intergenerational bonds and honours the lasting impact of Windrush communities on British society.
25th July, suitable for all ages – book your ticket online here.
- The Hairy Hands of Dartmoor: A Farfetched Folktale – Interactive family-friendly theatre that puts a playful spin on a local legend. Exploring themes of rumours and opening up conversations about mis/disinformation.
Best suited for 6-10 year-olds and their families!
22nd August – book online here.
Workshops
- LEGO Robot Club – Combine coding and LEGO to create robots! Use creative and problem-solving skills in a relaxed setting to learn something new.
Workshops available on 7th August and 21st August – book online here.
- The Imagination Station – Looking for creative workshops for your young person to take part in this summer? Do they enjoy acting out characters or making new stories at home? Across 5 weeks at Exeter Library, Helen and Juliet from Above Bounds will work with children to invent their own stories through games, drama exercises and creative tasks, all around the theme of transport!
Running 27th July 2026 – 24th August, suitable for ages 6-11 years. Book online here.
- Telling Tales: Creative Writing for Kids – 75 mins of great games and fun prompts to get you making stories, writing and sharing. These sessions are themed around journeys, travel and transport. Inspired by adventure stories! Jet off to imaginary lands, make up new methods of travel and mess around with words to make our own stories and poems come to life.
Running 5th August – 28th August, suitable for ages 6-11 years. Book online here.
Torbay
Family Theatre
- The Hairy Hands of Dartmoor: A Farfetched Folktale – Interactive family-friendly theatre that puts a playful spin on a local legend. Exploring themes of rumours and opening up conversations about mis/disinformation.
Best suited for 6-10 year-olds and their families!
21st August – book online here.
- The Librarians – Come to watch the hilarious misadventures of librarians Mr Page and Miss Book through their library of unusual books. A magical story for family audiences in BSL and spoken English together. At the end of the show celebrate everyone’s stories by becoming a new author for the library, with a chance to perform your ideas on stage.
31st July, suitable for ages 4-9 years – book online here.
Workshops
- Stop-Motion Animation Workshop: Small World Animation – Design a boat using, paper, card and other materials then bring your story to life through stop-motion animation. Small World Animation’s Claire will help you with your designs and teach you all about stop motion, helping you to create your own mini story on film.
6th August, suitable for children aged 5 years+ – book online here.
Activities
- Teddy Bears’ Picnic – Celebrate the launch of The Summer Book Quest! Join Puppet Paddington for a fun interactive Storytime starting at 10am then enjoy yummy food together, have a go at weaving a blanket for your own teddy bears with thanks to the Torbay ScrapStore, design a postcard plus lots more.
11th July – book online here.
- Wonderdome: Planetarium Show – Step inside the Wonderdome to see the stars, marvel at the planets, launch to the Moon and so much more.
This is an immersive mobile planetarium 30-minute show suitable for all ages and abilities. Plus, enjoy space themed crafts and VR headset available before or after your time slot.
18th July – book your spot online here.
