Families looking to keep children active, engaged and entertained during the summer holidays can take advantage of a huge range of activities, camps, courses and attractions at BH Live Active leisure centres across Bournemouth, Southampton and Portsmouth.
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is offering an expanded programme of junior and family-friendly activities to help children of all ages keep active, build confidence, make new friends and try something new over the summer break.
From intensive swimming lessons (crash courses) to inflatable attractions, soft play, plus trampolining, gymnastics, junior gym sessions and family swimming sessions, there is something for everyone whatever the weather. Activities cater for a wide range of ages, from babies and pre-school children through to teenagers aged 17.
Popular multi-sports holiday camps are available again, encouraging children to get active in a fun and social environment with fitness-themed activities. Some spaces are also available for children in receipt of benefits-based free school meals via HAF (Holiday Activities and food programme) funding*.
Families save with Great British Summer Savings scheme
Between Thursday 25 June 2026 to Tuesday 1 September 2026 as part of the UK Government’s Great British Summer Savings campaign, BH Live is offering VAT savings on the following activities to ease the financial squeeze throughout the school holidays:
- Soft Play and Play & Bounce sessions at Exploria (Portsmouth); Mountbatten Leisure Centre (Portsmouth); BH Live Active, Littledown and Pelhams, and BH Live Active, Corfe Mullen (East Dorset)
- Inflatable attractions, including;
- AirJumpX at Sir David English Sports Centre (Bournemouth)
- Crusher Run at Littledown Centre (Bournemouth)
- Raptor Run at Pelhams Leisure Centre (Bournemouth)
- Rumble Run at Stokewood Leisure Centre (Bournemouth)
- AquaDash! And MountAirX at Mountbatten Leisure Centre (Portsmouth)
Families can also benefit from reduced VAT on all kids’ meals at BH Live operated hospitality outlets, including its Terrace Cafés, plus eateries such as Lookout at Littledown; The Terrace Bistro at Bournemouth Pavilion; South Terrace at Pyramids; Exploria café, and more.
Bournemouth
Families can enjoy a packed timetable of activities at centres including Littledown, Pelhams, Stokewood, Sir David English Sports Centre and Queen’s Park. Activities include junior sports sessions, trampolining, basketball, dance workshops, family gym sessions and swimming activities.
Popular inflatable attractions are also returning for the summer. Children can take on The Crusher pool inflatable at Littledown, while Raptor Run at Pelhams offers a fun-filled water obstacle course experience. At Sir David English Sports Centre, youngsters can enjoy AirJumpX, an indoor inflatable attraction delivering active fun for a range of age groups.
Portsmouth
In Portsmouth, Mountbatten Leisure Centre and Pyramids are once again offering a vibrant programme of holiday activities. Highlights include swimming crash courses, multi-sports holiday camps, gymnastics workshops, tennis activities and family gym sessions.
Adventurous youngsters can tackle AquaDash!, Mountbatten Leisure Centre’s aquatic pool obstacle course, while the centre’s Clip ‘N Climb offers exciting climbing experiences for all abilities. Visitors can also make the most of their money with extended 90-minute MountAirX sessions, offering giant inflatable fun for the whole family.
Meanwhile, at Pyramids, children can burn off energy at Exploria, Portsmouth’s largest indoor soft play and bounce attraction, featuring slides, climbing zones, foam pits and interactive play experiences.
Southampton
BH Live Active centres in Southampton will be running a variety of junior and family activities, including swimming lessons, swimming crash courses, plus Junior Gym and Family Gym sessions. Designed to encourage healthy lifestyles and active habits from a young age, the programme provides flexible, affordable options for families looking for fun ways to stay active together during the holidays.
On behalf of BH Live, Bobby Cole, Group Swim & Junior Activities Manager at BH Live, said:
“We know how important it is for families to have access to fun, affordable activities during the school holidays, which is why our teams have worked hard to create a diverse summer programme that gives young people opportunities to stay active, build confidence, and create lasting memories with friends and family.
“Whether children want to learn a new skill, take part in a holiday camp, enjoy swimming and sports, or experience one of our popular attractions, there really is something for everyone across our centres this summer.
“We’re also proud to be embracing the UK Government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme to offer more affordable junior activities for families to ease the squeeze throughout the school summer holidays.”
See full timetables, availability and booking information via the BH Live Active school holiday timetables at bhliveactive.org.uk/find-an-activity/school-holiday-activities.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
*HAF funding provides free holiday activity places for children and young people in receipt of benefits-based free school meals, from reception year to age 16.
A meal is also provided whilst the child or young person is at the activity. Additionally, the programme provides nutritional education for children and their families and signposting to other support services for families.
More information about the scheme and eligibility can be found on BCP Council and Portsmouth City Council’s website.
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About BH Live
Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues.
BH Live (Enterprises) Limited is a wholly owned trading subsidiary of the parent organisation, established to manage the non-charitable activities, primarily relating to Conferences and Exhibitions.
Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.
With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.
BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council, Croydon Council, and Southampton City Council.
We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us:
LinkedIn – BH Live
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Instagram @bhliveuk
Head office address: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH, DORSET
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road,