Free food, activities and childcare this Christmas if your child gets free school meals, but you need to apply. Here’s what to do.
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If you’ve got school age kids and they get free school meals, there could be extra help this Christmas, but only if you apply.
Local councils in England are offering free holiday clubs, free meals and childcare through the Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) during the Christmas break. Some are also handing out supermarket vouchers to help cover food costs when school kitchens are closed.
Here’s what’s available, who qualifies, and how to make sure your family doesn’t miss out.
What help can you get over Christmas?
The HAF programme runs during Easter, Summer and Christmas school holidays.
For Christmas specifically, councils must offer at least 4 days of support, which usually includes:
Free fun activities (like drama, crafts, cooking, or sports)
At least one free meal a day
A safe, supervised space for your child during the day
Some councils go further and run clubs across the full two-week break, especially if they have extra funding or community partnerships.
We’ve seen Christmas activity offers include everything from gingerbread decorating and festive cinema trips to alpaca walking, circus skills and even free family events.
Who can apply?
Your child is likely to qualify if they get benefits-related free school meals, even if they’re in reception or nursery and not eating them yet.
You’ll usually need to:
Live in England
Have a child aged 4 or over
Apply through your local council (some schools give out booking codes)
This isn’t automatic, and you have to apply every holiday.
Most councils use an online form, a booking portal, or offer walk-in sessions.
Read next: Free school meals expanded: half a million more kids to qualify from 2026
Can you get supermarket vouchers too?
Yes, but it depends where you live.
Some councils also offer supermarket vouchers worth around £15 per child per week over the Christmas holidays. These are funded by the Household Support Fund, and it’s up to each council to decide how (and if) they hand them out.
In some areas, it’s automatic. In others, you’ll need to apply separately or check your school email or text messages for a code. Either way, don’t assume anything and check your council’s website or give them a ring.
How to apply
Find your local council using this tool or search “(your council name) Holiday Activities and Food”.
Look for a page or section about Christmas holiday activities or HAF.
Follow the steps to register, apply, or use your child’s code to book.
Don’t hang about as lots of councils run things on a first-come, first-served basis, and clubs can fill up quickly.
Final thought
Christmas can be expensive. If you’re already stretched, covering extra meals, entertainment and childcare over the break can tip things over the edge.
This help is free, local and designed for families who need it. Whether your child wants to try something new, get out of the house, or just enjoy a proper hot meal, it’s there for you, you just need to grab it while it’s on offer.
Naomi knows the burden of living on very little and became debt free by following her own money saving tips and tricks. She is an expert on saving money at the supermarket and side hustles.
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