Great childhoods made possible
In Barnsley we want all children, young people and families to benefit from the opportunities that a great childhood brings. A range of experiences and learning opportunities can help to give children and young people the best start in life and adulthood.
The Great Childhoods Ambition is our commitment to improving the lives and futures of our children and young people. We'll support them to have a great childhood and ensure they feel they belong, and can explore, dream, grow and connect.
As a borough-wide, collaborative programme, we'd like everyone to get on board and help us grow the opportunities for young people. If you're an employer and would like to find out how you can support the Great Childhoods Ambition, email us at gca@barnsley.gov.uk.
What we're doing
As part of our Great Childhoods Ambition we'll:
- work with family hubs to support parents to give their children the best start in life
- work with schools to provide a caring and safe space for all pupils to learn and grow, giving them a sense of belonging and the strength and skills to make anything possible
- develop stronger partnerships between our schools and communities, creating a network of support so no child falls through the gaps
- provide activities, opportunities and experiences of interest to children and young people
- support young people to access and explore what's on offer, building confidence and boosting their self esteem
- work with careers leaders, higher education partners and businesses to inspire and encourage young people to dream big, showing them possibilities in the voluntary, public and private sectors
- grow young people's digital skills to help them prepare for a digital future
Celebrate the launch of our Great Childhoods Ambition
To celebrate the launch of our Great Childhoods Ambition, there's lots of activities happening across the borough during April 2025.
Activities at libraries, museums and Barnsley Civic
| Event | Date and time | Location | Description |
| Stories of childhood exhibition | Throughout April | Experience Barnsley | Explore, reminisce and play! From christenings to cricket, samplers to school hats, toys and teddies, discover over a hundred years of growing up in Barnsley. We've been searching through Barnsley's museum and archive collections for stories of childhood and have uncovered all kinds of treasures and memories. On display in the exhibition are classic board games, sports trophies, action figures and beautiful portraits. |
| Scavenger hunt | Throughout April | Experience Barnsley | Can you find all the cool and crazy objects from our collections? Find them all and collect a sticker from the front desk. |
| Elsecar Easter Eggstravaganza | Saturday 5 to Monday 21 April 10am to 4pm |
Elsecar Heritage Centre | Have a cracking time this Easter with this free activity. Find the bunnies around the centre and solve the Easter puzzle. |
| Easter trail in Victorian kitchens | Saturday 5 to Monday 21 April 11am to 4pm |
Cannon Hall | Victorians loved to celebrate Easter with delicious food and other traditions. Can you spot all the objects hidden around the Victorian kitchens and discover fascinating facts about Easter in years gone by? |
| Treasure hunt | Monday 7 April | Worsbrough Mill | A Easter treasure hunt around Worsborough Mill for young people aged 13 to 18. |
| Easter holiday activities | Monday 7 to Monday 21 April | Barnsley library branches | A range of fun Easter activities, including craft sessions, board games and more. |
| Young producers launch | Monday 7 to Monday 21 April | Barnsley library branches | For young people aged 14 to 16. |
| Easter events at Barnsley Civic | Tuesday 8 to Saturday 19 April | Barnsley Civic | A range of exciting, engaging and fun events for children and young people including pot painting, Easter bonnet making, Easter egg decorating, Easter disco and more. Booking required for all activities and charges apply. Find out what's on at Barnsley Civic and how to book. |
| Brilliant board games | Tuesday 8 April 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm |
Experience Barnsley | Brilliant boardgames people have been making and playing board games for centuries, from the ancient Egyptians playing Senet to families today playing classics like Monopoly. Drop in to this session and have a go at inventing your own game to take home. |
| Blooming marvellous | Wednesday 9 April 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm |
Cooper Gallery | Craft your own funky flowers inspired by the gorgeous artworks in our Four Seasons in One Day Exhibition. This free activity suitable for all ages. |
| SENsational | Tuesday 15 April 11am to 12pm and 1pm to 2pm |
Experience Barnsley | Take part in our unique, multisensory session for families with a profound and multiple learning disability, autism, or who are neurodiverse. Taking place in the Learning Lab in the museum, this space will have a range of sensory items, along with soft floor mats and soft light. Booking is essential - book on the Experience Barnsley website. |
| Relaxed openings at Experience Barnsley | Tuesday 15 April 9am to 4pm |
Experience Barnsley | Relaxed openings are designed for visitors who would prefer a quieter experience in the museum, with interactives and audio turned down or off to create a quieter environment. |
| The world underneath Worsbrough's reservoir | Thursday 17 April | Worsbrough Mill | The world underneath Worsbrough’s reservoir was built over 200 years ago, changing the landscape here dramatically. Join us in a creative model making workshop to imagine the mysteries beneath the water. This fun, hands on workshop will share the possibilities of fact and fiction and help children consider how people make a mark on the world around them. Suitable for 7 years plus. Booking is essential - book on the Art Tickets website. |
Activities at IKIC and youth centres
| Event | Date and time | Location | Description |
| SEND Easter activities | Monday 7 April | Ozone Youth Centre (Barnsley Football Club) | Easter activities for users of the SEND short breaks service. |
| Crafting success | Tuesday 8 April 12pm to 4pm |
Komplex Youth Centre - Kirk Balk Academy | Crafting ideas for young entrepreneurs aged 11 to 19 - turning hobbies into business ideas. |
| Easter Egg rock painting | Tuesday 8 April | Wombwell IKIC centre | A session for Barnsley youth councillors to prepare for an Easter egg hunt. |
| Cook, eat and create workshop | Tuesday 8 April 11am to 2pm |
YMCA, Blutcher Street | Activity for children and young people aged 8 to 14 and their parents to cook, share a meal and engage in creative activities. Booking required - contact YMCA for details. |
| Boxing sessions | Tuesday 8 April 11am to 3pm |
Dearne IKIC centre | Easter activities and boxing sessions for young people aged 11 to 19. |
| SEND siblings activities | Wednesday 9 April | Ozone Youth Centre (Barnsley Football Club) | Easter activities for SEND short breaks siblings groups (existing members only). |
| Wellbeing walk | Wednesday 9 April | Wombwell IKIC centre | Walk and talk session around Wombwell for young people aged 13 to 18. |
| Llama trekking and farm experience | Wednesday 9 April 1pm to 3pm |
Penistone IKIC centre | Activity for existing IKIC youth centre members. Some elements of the activity will be off-site and parental consent will be required. Eligibility may apply - please check in advance of attending. |
| Urban gardening | Thursday 10 April 12pm to 4pm |
Wombwell IKIC centre | Gardening activity for young people aged 11 to 19. Creating an outdoor environment in a concrete landscape, with takeaway activities and outdoor pizza oven food. |
| Easter at the youth centre | Thursday 10 April 12pm to 4pm |
Penistone IKIC centre | Gardening, crafts and roller skating for members of the IKIC youth centre. For some activities parental consent is required in advance. |
| YMCA workshops | Thursday 10 April 4:30pm to 6:30pm (plus every Thursday until June 2025) |
YMCA, Blutcher Street (activities taking place around the Dodworth area) | Workshops for YMCA group members aged 11 to 16. Part of the 'Gobbledygook News Team' project - creating 'news' reels that explore young people's interests, connecting with the community, and promoting services for children, young people, and their families. Activities include exploring ambition, youth work promotion, and digital content creation. |
| Boxing sessions | Tuesday 15 April 11am to 3pm |
Dearne IKIC centre | Easter activities and boxing sessions for young people aged 11 to 19. |
| Llama trekking and farm experience | Wednesday 16 April | Penistone IKIC centre | Activity for existing IKIC youth centre members. Some elements of the activity will be off-site and parental consent will be required. Eligibility may apply - please check in advance of attending. |
| Easter at the youth centre | Thursday 17 April 12pm to 4pm |
Penistone IKIC centre | Easter crafts, competitions and community projects for IKIC youth centre members. Eligibility criteria may apply - please check in advance of attending. |
| Easter activities | Thursday 17 April 2pm to 5pm |
Cudworth IKIC centre | Easter activities for Cudworth youth club members and physical activities on the astro turf. |
Activities in parks
| Event | Date and time | Location | Description |
| Arts in the park | Monday 7 April 3pm to 4:30pm |
Bluebell Park at Woolley Colliery | Arts in the park session for young people aged 11+. |
| Arts in the park | Monday 7 April 5pm to 7pm |
Mapplewell Park | Arts in the park session for young people aged 11+. |
| Arts in the park | Tuesday 8 April | Nisa Park Athersley | Clay work activity session for young people aged 11+ to be creative with clay in an open natural environment. |
| Urban arts workshop | Tuesday 8 April 12pm to 2pm |
Silverdale Park, Monk Bretton | Session for young people aged 11 to 19 to access their local green spaces and learn how they can contribute to conservation efforts and strengthen their connections to the community. Session provided by the Youth Association and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust session. |
| Urban arts workshop | Tuesday 8 April 3pm to 5pm |
Worsbrough Dale Park | Session for young people aged 11 to 19 to access their local green spaces and learn how they can contribute to conservation efforts and strengthen their connections to the community. Session provided by the Youth Association and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust session. |
| Arts in the park | Tuesday 8 April 5pm to 7pm |
Smithies Park (at back of Smash Burger) | Clay work activity session for young people aged 11+ to be creative with clay in an open natural environment. |
| Urban arts workshop | Wednesday 9 April 4pm to 6pm |
Hoyle Mill | Session for young people aged 11 to 19 to access their local green spaces and learn how they can contribute to conservation efforts and strengthen their connections to the community. Session provided by the Youth Association and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust session. |
| Arts in the park | Wednesday 9 April 4:30pm to 5:30pm |
Darton Park | Clay work activity session for young people aged 11+ to be creative with clay in an open natural environment. |
| Urban arts workshop | Thursday 10 April 4pm to 6pm |
Farm Road Park, Kendray | Session for young people aged 11 to 19 to access their local green spaces and learn how they can contribute to conservation efforts and strengthen their connections to the community. Session provided by the Youth Association and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust session. |
| Urban arts workshop | Thursday 10 April 3pm to 5pm |
The Dell Park, Grimethorpe | Session for young people aged 11 to 19 to access their local green spaces and learn how they can contribute to conservation efforts and strengthen their connections to the community. Session provided by the Youth Association and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust session. |
| Games in the park | Saturday 12 April | Locke Park | A variety of field games for young people aged 13 to 18. |
| Sports, arts and crafts in the park | Wednesday 16 April 3pm to 6pm |
Various parks in the north east area | Activities for young people aged 11 to 19. |
Other events and activities
| Event | Date and time | Location | Description |
| SEN sessions | Thursday 3 April | Worsborough Community Centre, Warren Quarry Lane | Session for children with special educational needs and disabilities and their families. |
| Easter crafts and family fun day | Saturday 5 April | Goldthorpe Pentecostal Church, S63 9HA | Fun day for children and their families, including Easter craft sessions. |
| Healthy Holidays clubs | Monday 7 to Thursday 17 April | Borough-wide | Healthy Holidays clubs support families who need help to access food and activities to keep their children healthy through the school holidays. Children who receive benefit-related free school meals can have a free place at Healthy Holidays clubs. Book a place at a Healthy Holidays club. |
| Easter e-sports workshops | Tuesday 8 April 10am to 12pm |
Dearne Playhouse, Goldthorpe | Holiday session to design and plan an e-sports tournament in the Dearne to be held in the spring bank holiday. |
| Healthy Holidays Easter celebration (Dearne) | Wednesday 9 April 11am to 3pm |
Goldthorpe Parish Hall | Spectacular Easter celebration event where magic and fun await the whole family. Meet special guests Peter Rabbit and the Magic Fairy, take part in Easter-themed activities, and enjoy delicious food and drinks. Booking required - visit the Healthy Holidays clubs webpage for eligibility details and how to book a place. |
| Dearne kids Easter fair | Saturday 12 April | Houghton Road Community Centre | Easter fair for children, young people and families. |
| Easter at the Town Hall | Sunday 13 April | Town Hall | Fun and creative activities in and around the Town Hall for children and young people aged 11 or over. |
| Healthy Holidays Easter celebration (Barnsley town centre) | Thursday 17 April 11am to 3pm |
Metrodome | Spectacular Easter celebration event where magic and fun await the whole family. Meet special guests Peter Rabbit and the Magic Fairy, take part in Easter-themed activities, and enjoy delicious food and drinks. Booking required - visit the Healthy Holidays clubs webpage for eligibility details and how to book a place. |
| Family Hubs at Barnsley Market launch | Tuesday 22 April 10:30am to 12:30pm |
Barnsley Market first floor | Launch of our new Family Hubs information base, offering advice to families and signposting to other services in the borough. The hub can also host one-to-one and small group sessions. |
Free bus travel for under 18s
We know travel can be expensive, so on Wednesday 2 April our Cabinet will be looking to approve an under 18s free bus travel pilot, making bus travel free for children and young people in Barnsley. The scheme is proposed to run from 1 August 2025 until 31 July 2027.
Bus journeys starting or finishing in the Barnsley borough will be free every day between 7am and 9pm. Children and young people will be able to travel within, to and from town (or to anywhere else in South Yorkshire) for free - as long as the journey starts or finishes in Barnsley.
Helping young people be more independent allows them to build life skills as well as connect with friends, family and the range of opportunities we have across the borough and beyond.
More details and how to apply will be available soon. You can find more information on the Travel South Yorkshire website.
Explore music
Barnsley Music Service offer high quality music education for children and young people aged 5 to 18. They work to:
- inspire young people to sing and play a musical instrument
- develop young musicians' talent, offering them the chance to perform at different levels
- promote and develop music in Barnsley through diverse partnerships
- enhance and develop life skills through music
Find out how to get started by contacting Barnsley Music Service.
Dream at the Northern Academy for Vocal Excellence
The new Northern Academy for Vocal Excellence (NAVE) will deliver singing tuition to young people, as well as being home to the world-renowned Barnsley Youth Choir. The choir's won eight first prizes in some of the most important international competitions in the world.
The NAVE will bring back into use our former computer centre building on the corner of St Mary’s Place and Westgate.
Grow with Barnsley Children's University
The Barnsley Children's University programme offers pupils the chance to develop their skills, knowledge, and confidence outside of the school curriculum.
Through our network of partners and local organisations, children can access a wide range of activities to collect credits. These credits count toward different certificates that can be achieved as part of the programme.
Connect at Base71 Youth Zone
Base71 Youth Zone will be a safe and aspirational place for young people.
Located in the town centre, it'll be a state-of-the-art space with facilities including a sports hall, climbing wall, gym, music suite, performing arts studio and film facilities. There will also be a multi-use games area/kick pitch with flood lights.
Base71 Youth Zone will be staffed by skilled youth workers who'll help young people realise their aims and achievements.
Explore Barnsley Museums
Explore Barnsley's heritage and culture with exhibitions, events and activities at our museums.
We have five heritage attractions in the borough: Experience Barnsley and Cooper Gallery in the town centre, plus Cannon Hall, Elsecar Heritage Centre and Worsbrough Mill. Each offers something for everyone, from fascinating exhibitions to history, art, nature and cultural experiences.
Activities at our libraries
There's lots of regular activities in our libraries for young people of all ages.
For young children there's story and rhyme, and sensory play sessions. For older children there's a range of craft sessions, games and Lego clubs. And teens can get involved with coding club, young adults reading groups and writing workshops.
Take a look to find out what's happening at your local branch.
Family hubs
Our family hubs provide services for children from pre-birth up to 19 years (or 25 years if the young person has a disability). A range of experts are on hand, including family support workers, health visitors, midwives, mental health support, employment advisors and adult learning teams.
You can also access a wide range of services online through the Virtual Family Hub.
Connect through sport
There's lots of ways you can stay active, from competitive sports to a walk in the park with family. Playing sports is not only great for your physical heath, but for your mental wellbeing too. Plus team sports help you connect with others and give you a sense of belonging.
If you're feeling inspired, take a look at the What’s Your Move website.
