Free festive fun for families with Buckinghamshire’s Holiday Activity & Food programme

From sports to crafts and even a family pantomime followed by a Christmas meal, the Christmas programme offers free entertainment and activities for school-aged children in Reception up to Year 11 inclusive, who receive benefits-related free school meals. The pantomime events will happen in Aylesbury and High Wycombe, 100 places are available for each trip, happening right before Christmas.

Eligible families can book online by visiting the HAF webpages where they can find out more about the HAF programme and see the sessions that are available. Unique codes have been sent to schools to provide to eligible families. Each child can take part in up to four days of holiday activities.

Anita Cranmer, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services said: “We’ve got a fantastic choice of free activities being run by local providers for children to experience and enjoy over the Christmas period and at each session they attend the children are also given a healthy hot meal.

“We know times are especially tough for many families at the moment and so we are delighted to be able to offer such a great range of activities. It’s a great opportunity for eligible children to get out of the house, try something they like or fancy doing for the first time and to make new friends. We even have a family pantomime and meal events on offer for the first time this year so don’t wait too long, as there will be only 100 places available for each pantomime trip - get booking now!”

The HAF programme is funded with money from the Department for Education and coordinated by the council for Buckinghamshire. It provides a range of fun, free activities for children in Buckinghamshire who receive benefits related free school meals. Families who do not currently receive benefits-related free school meals, but think they may be eligible can check online and find out how to apply.