Free Summer Holiday Clubs and Meals: The HAF Scheme Most Parents Miss

Published 22 June 2026. Last reviewed 31 October 2026, against the Department for Education’s HAF guidance for the 2026 to 2027 financial year and its free school meals guidance. This applies to England; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run their own schemes.

The summer holidays are six weeks long and, let us be honest, expensive. Days out, snacks on repeat, and the constant hum of “I’m bored”. So here is something a lot of families miss entirely: a government-funded scheme that gives eligible children free holiday clubs and a hot meal, all summer. It is called HAF, and if your child qualifies it is genuinely worth a few minutes to sort.

What is the HAF programme?

HAF stands for Holiday Activities and Food. It is funded by the Department for Education and run by your local council across the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays. Eligible children get free places at holiday clubs where they can play sport, try arts and crafts, cook, go on trips, and have a healthy meal each day they attend. It exists partly so children who get free school meals in term time do not go without over the holidays.

Who qualifies?

• Children who get benefits-related free school meals. Since September 2026 that means only those in the targeted group: broadly, families on Universal Credit with household earnings of £7,400 a year or less. The Department for Education says HAF does not extend to children who only qualify for the new expanded free school meals, which are the meal only.
• That is the main route. Some councils also use up to 15% of their funding to offer places to other children they think would benefit, so it is worth asking even if you are not sure you qualify.

Not sure which group your child is in? The £7,400 is net earned income checked over your recent Universal Credit assessment periods, not your salary, so if you are on Universal Credit, apply for free school meals and ask whether your child is in the targeted group. See our guide to the free school meals changes.

What you actually get

It varies by area, but typically each eligible child can access a block of free sessions across the summer (many councils offer up to around 16 bookings), each including activities and a nutritious meal. Some clubs run full days, some half days. It is real childcare and real food, at no cost.

How to get it, step by step

1. Search your council’s name plus “HAF” or “holiday activities and food”, or start from their free school meals page.
2. If your child is eligible, you are usually identified automatically through the school and sent a voucher or booking code. If you have not had one, ask the school office or the council’s HAF team.
3. Book early. Popular clubs and dates fill fast once the summer code goes out, so do not leave it until July.

The honest caveats

• This is an England scheme. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run their own holiday support.
• Provision and the number of free sessions differ by council, so check your local page for the exact offer.
• You generally need to be eligible for benefits-related free school meals, though the 15% discretion is worth asking about.

Sources

• GOV.UK: Holiday activities and food programme 2026 to 2027 financial year
• GOV.UK: Free school meals guidance for schools and local authorities

Sorting summer? Pair this with our guide to free school meals from September 2026.