Find great ideas for days out with kids in Hertfordshire and the best family friendly events happening summer 2024. The Hertfordshire summer holiday activities guide is packed full with big family days out or smaller, local ideas.   If you’re working and need childcare, then check out the summer holiday camps in Hertfordshire or check out our what’s on for summer Bucks guide.

Summer Activities & Events for Kids in Hertfordshire 2024

Summer Outdoor Adventures in Hertfordshire

Summer Spectacular at Willows Activity Farm (St Albans) 20th July – 1st  September

Willows Activity Farm will have a packed programme of summertime fun! Get lost in the a-maze-ing Maize Maze – it’s popping good fun with a super surprise in the middle! Enjoy the splash-tastic Puddle Play Park. The daily programme includes adventure play, funfair rides, tractor ride, farmyard animals, indoor soft play and more – for one all-inclusive price.

Folk By The Oak Summer Family Festival at Hatfield House (Hatfield)  21st July

The carefully curated stages are complemented by a world of creative festival fun for all ages including craft stalls and workshops, dancing, yoga, storytelling, circus skills and more plus a dedicated Family Area.

Summer on the Farm at Hogshaw Farm 22nd July – 2nd September

Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park is perfect for a fun family day out. There are lots of friendly farm animals and pets to meet and more unusual animals in the Wildlife Zone. Jump off some energy on the giant bouncy pillow or indoor soft play plus lots more activities.  There are lots of extras this summer from bug hunts and nature trails, to tractor rides and water play, you won’t be short of things to do.

Teddy Bear Picnic at Hertford Castle (Hertford) 21st July

Pack your picnic basket and bring along your favourite teddy for a day of fun and adventure at Hertford Castle, including a bear hunt inside the castle, games, and activities around the grounds, plus the annual Teddy Bear’s parade lead and judged by the Mayor of Hertford.

KidFest at Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park (Waltham Abbey) 24th July – 1st September

Enjoy a boogie at the Main Stage and be entertained by headline acts. Get your festival sparkle on at the DIY Glitter Station, AND have a blast at the Foam Party! The kids will love exploring the Crazy Golf AND Adventure Playground.

Watford Carnival (Watford) 3rd August

With an incredible lineup of music, dance, food, and fun filled activities, you don’t want to miss out on this amazing event!

Hatfield Park Summer Fireworks (Hatfield) 10th August

Three of the UK’s best firework companies compete against each other with a 10 minute firework display choreographed to music followed by a larger huge finale display that isn’t part of the competition.

Watford Big Beach (Watford) 16th – 30th August FREE

With Watford Borough Council’s Big Beach, you don’t need to travel to the coast to feel the sand between your toes – just head to The Parade in the Town Centre! The  beach is completely free – and is the perfect chance for people of all ages to lap up the summer sun, with deck chairs and tables provided to help you relax.  There  are a variety of beach toys and buckets and spades which you’ll be able to get from the beach hut – as well as any information you might need.  The hut is open 10am to 4pm each day.

Watford Community Fun Day (Watford) 16th August

Bring your children along for a day of face painting, multiple inflatables, races, gams and more. It’s a great way to keep them entertained while you relax and soak up the community atmosphere.

Indoor Summer Events for Kids in Hertfordshire

Family Summer Holiday Programme at Verulamium Museum (St Albans) 24th July – 31st August

Running everyday and included in admission are trails to help you explore the museum, dressing up to imagine yourself back in Verulamium, artefact handling trolley, explorer buckets, andarch building and mosaic activities to imagine being a Roman craft worker

Tots Tales at Verulamium Museum (St Albans) 26th July

Story, craft activities and a museum hunt, inspired by a popular story. Suitable for children aged 2 – 4 years, accompanied by an adult.

Mosaic Making Workshop at Verulamium Museum (St Albans) 30th July

Enjoy selecting colours of glass and embellishments  to make a truly unique design. Working with a local mosaics artist,  learn how to use professional mosaic making tools to snip your glass, and even how to grout your creation.

Make a Model Ladybird at St Albans Museum (St Albans) 6th August

Have a look around our exhibition of Ladybird Books then join us to make your own model ladybird (or another minibeast of your choice!) from colourful polymer clay.

Colourscape at Cassiobury Park (Watford) 17th – 26th August

Enter a new world of colour and light. Explore a unique labyrinth of 70 interlinked chambers of intense colours and discover musicians and dancers interacting with you.

North Herts Museum (Hitchin) tbc

Summer Family Friendly Theatre Shows in Hertfordshire

Errol’s Garden at Watford Palace Theatre (Watford) 25th July

Filled with catchy songs, imagination, and a passion for plants, Errol’s Garden is a fun interactive musical for children aged 3–8 and their grownups.

In The Night Garden Live at The Alban Arena (St Albans) 27th – 28th  July

You’ll see all your favourite characters beautifully brought to life with full-size costumes, magical puppets, and enchanting music. This show lasts just under an hour and your little ones will be amazed when they see a very special visit from the amazing flying Pinky Ponk.

Horrible Histories at Watford Palace Theatre (Watford) 27th July

Boasting the funniest and most outrageous regal scenes from the hit Barmy Britain shows, Rotten Royals promises Watford will be most amused! Suitable for ages 5+

Peter Pan outdoor theatre at Hatfield House (Hatfield) 29th July

Filled with catchy music, heaps of audience interaction, and a laugh-a-minute script, this hilarious and exciting musical of the boy who never grew up promises to have every member of the family entertained throughout. Suitable for ages 4+

Spongebob Musical Youth Edition at Watford Palace Theatre (Watford) 2nd – 4th August

An exciting new musical featuring irresistible characters and magical music, this deep-sea pearl of a show is set to make a splash with audiences young and old. The future is bright, the future is bold, the future is The SpongeBob Musical.

Peppa Pig at the Radlett Centre (Radlett) 7th – 8th August

Packed full of songs, dance and muddy puddles, Peppa’s Fun Day Out guarantees giggles and snorts for all Peppa fans, and a perfect introduction to theatre.

A Midsummers Night Dream outdoor theatre at Hatfield House (Hatfield) 9th August

Multi award-nominated Immersion Theatre have developed a reputation for producing first class, fast-paced adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays. This is Shakespeare as it’s meant to be: interactive, fun, and highly accessible! Suitable for ages 8+

Big Screen at Knutsford Playing Fields (Watford) 12th – 18th August FREE

Grab your picnic blankets, deckchairs, pack a picnic and head to Knutsford where you can just sit back and relax whilst watching some old favourites alongside new blockbusters.

Fireman Sam at the Radlett Centre (Radlett) 27th August

Brand New for 2024. Norman wants to go on an adventure to impress his friends, so when two famous animal explorers arrive in Pontypandy, he decides to follow them into the mountains

Milkshake Live at The Gordon Craig Theatre (Stevenage) 30th August

Pack your bags and jump aboard the Milkshake! train as we go on an all singing, all dancing holiday together! It’s a family show not to be missed!

Pop Party at the Radlett Centre (Radlett) 30th August

Get ready for a dazzling explosion of music, dance, and excitement as Pop Party takes the stage! This exhilarating live concert, made especially for kids, brings the latest trending TikTok hits to life in vibrant and engaging live performance. The show features chart-topping songs from artists including Little Mix, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Lizzo, Meghan Trainor, Billie Eilish, Ed Sheeran and more.