Peterborough Libraries Rhymetime & Storytime
Free weekly rhyme and story sessions for under-5s at Peterborough's libraries; the libraries also run a children's craft club.
Free
Kids' activities in City centre & central Peterborough, Peterborough
Guildhall, Cathedral Square, Peterborough. Photo: Poliphilo / CC0
31 listings in and around City centre & central Peterborough, grouped by activity.
Baby & toddler groups
St Mary's Baby and Toddler Group
Weekly term-time drop-in with toys, crafts, toast and juice, and singing at the end. Held in the church's lower hall; no church membership needed.
Free (donations welcome)
Football & sports clubs
COPFC Futsal Tots - Focus Centre
Term-time futsal sessions for toddlers at the Focus Centre in Dogsthorpe, run by City of Peterborough Futsal Club.
F.O.X Football Coaching
Football coaching sessions for children grouped by age and level.
Peterborough & Nene Valley Athletics Club
Athletics club welcoming juniors aged 9 and over, with a free introductory session.
Peterborough Lions FC CIC - M.A.D toddler sessions
Active play sessions for toddlers run by Peterborough Lions FC CIC from its community hub.
Dance & drama
City Academy of Ballet
Long-established school teaching graded Russian-method ballet and contemporary dance.
Key Theatre Youth Theatre
Youth theatre at the Key Theatre, run with Kindred Drama.
PQA Peterborough
Saturday drama, musical theatre and film/TV classes with free trial sessions.
The Hebden School of Dancing
Dance school teaching ballet, tap, contemporary, street, acro and early-years classes, with exams.
Tu Danse Studios
Dance studio with weekly classes and holiday camps such as 'Musical in a Week'.
Martial arts
Kung Fu Schools Peterborough (Wing Chun)
Wing Chun kung fu with children's classes: Little Dragons (4-7) and Junior Warriors (8-12).
Top Yard School of Boxing
Boxing school at Queensgate opened in 2025, with a junior class on Sundays.
Music
AMPY - Academy of Music & Performance for Youth
One-to-one music lessons tailored to the student, from first notes through to GCSE performance preparation; free first lesson.
Peterborough Music Hub
Council-led music education hub linking families to local ensembles, progression routes and music-making for children and young people, including…
Coding & STEM
Peterborough Chess Club
Chess club meeting on Thursday evenings and Sundays, welcoming juniors; visitors can try before joining.
£7/year (under 18)
Holiday clubs & wraparound
Fulbridge Academy Holiday Club
School holiday club at Easter, summer and Christmas with free HAF places for eligible children; booked through the school's MCAS app.
Party venues
Laser Quest Peterborough
Laser tag arena in the city centre with party bookings and a 5D cinema.
Vivacity Birthday Parties
Party packages at Vivacity leisure centres, including bouncy castle parties, roller-skating parties and a 'Mega Party' package.
Bouncy castle parties from £165; roller parties £195/2 hrs
Soft play & indoor play
Activity World
Closing 31 March 2027 (announced by the provider)
Large indoor play centre with toddler mornings on Wednesdays and Fridays and party bookings.
Toddler sessions £6 incl. one adult
Free & cheap things to do
Central Park junior parkrun
Free, weekly, timed 2km run for children aged 4-14 every Sunday morning, run by volunteers. Register once with parkrun and bring a barcode.
Free
Central Park Paddling Pool & Bretton Water Park
Two council-run outdoor water play areas open in the summer holidays, free of charge.
Free
Photo: Alan Murray-Rust / CC BY-SA 2.0
Key Theatre
Riverside theatre with family shows and a youth theatre.
Photo: Derek Harper / CC BY-SA 2.0
PARCA youth activities
Peterborough Asylum and Refugee Community Association runs a safe, welcoming youth club space for local children and young people.
Peterborough Cathedral - family visits
Cathedral with family trails and interactive panels; tower tours for ages 8 and up.
Peterborough Lido
1930s outdoor heated pool open in summer, with SEND family sessions on Wednesday evenings.
SEND sessions £6 (carers free)
Photo: Julian Dowse / CC BY-SA 2.0
Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery
City museum with free entry, exhibitions and half-term family activities.
Free entry (some events charged)
Photo: Dylan Moore / CC BY-SA 2.0
Showcase Cinema de Lux Peterborough
Cinema with a daily family ticket before 5pm and cheaper Monday tickets.
Family ticket £30 before 5pm; Saver Mondays from £4.99
SEND-friendly activities
ACE Centre Peterborough
Centre offering small-group SEMH sessions (up to age 25), home-education sessions for ages 8-14, and alternative provision for 11-16s.
Vivacity Inclusive Leisure
Inclusive sport sessions including adapted cycling, boccia, archery and a Totally Active club.
£6/session