Eight free children's sessions are still to run in Mid Sussex before term restarts on 1 September. Dates, times, postcodes and what to book first.

West Sussex schools go back on Tuesday 1 September, which leaves two weeks. (West Sussex County Council)

Eight free children’s sessions are still to run in that window, plus two free trails that are open every day. All of them come from the district or town councils, and every one is listed below with the detail that actually matters on the morning: the postcode, whether you can just turn up, and what happens if it rains.

Wednesday 19 August

  • JOLF, Burgess Hill. A games-based introduction to golf at the Stone Garden, Church Walk, 11am to 1pm. Free, drop in at any point during the session. (Burgess Hill Town Council)
  • Play Day, Handcross. Handcross Rec, RH17 6DU, 2pm to 4pm. Free, no booking, just turn up. (Mid Sussex District Council)

Friday 21 August

Teddy Bears Picnic, Haywards Heath. Beech Hurst Gardens, Butlers Green Road, RH16 4BB, 12pm to 2pm. Free, with a magician, fairground rides, soft play, sensory play and the Beech Hurst Miniature Railway. It is organised by Haywards Heath FoodBank in partnership with the town council. (Haywards Heath Town Council)

The ticket point is worth reading carefully. Free tickets were released in three waves on 3, 4 and 5 August, one per child, and those who booked also get a packed lunch, an ice cream and a small teddy bear for children up to the age of 10. If you did not get one, the council says you are still welcome to attend, but food will not be provided.

Monday 24 August

Two Move It Monday sports tasters, both at the Maple Drive Multisports Court in Burgess Hill, both free and both run by qualified coaches:

  • Basketball, 10am to 12pm
  • Hockey, 2pm to 4pm

These are the ones with a condition attached. A waiver has to be completed online before you attend, so it cannot be sorted at the court. Equipment is supplied, but bring a drink and wear trainers. Children must be accompanied by an adult whatever their age. Places are not held for the full two hours, and time slots are managed on the day according to how many children turn up. Priority goes to people living in Burgess Hill and the surrounding villages of Hurstpierpoint and Hassocks. The sessions are outdoors and go ahead in wet weather unless there are weather warnings, in which case you are emailed on the morning. (Burgess Hill Town Council)

Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 August

  • Play Day, Burgess Hill. Worlds End Rec, RH15 0QJ, Tuesday 25 August, 2pm to 4pm.
  • Play Day, Bolney. Batchelors Field, RH17 5PF, Wednesday 26 August, 2pm to 4pm. This is the last of the ten Play Days on Tour, which started at Victoria Park in Haywards Heath on 28 July. (Mid Sussex District Council)
  • Inflatables, Burgess Hill. St John’s Park, Wednesday 26 August, 11am to 3pm. Register at the town council gazebo when you arrive. Children must be accompanied at all times, queues may be closed from 2.30pm so the session can finish at 3pm, and the council warns it is weather dependent and may be cancelled at short notice or even part way through. (Burgess Hill Town Council)
Calendar of free children's sessions in Mid Sussex from 19 to 26 August 2026: JOLF and a Handcross play day on 19 August, Teddy Bears Picnic on 21 August, basketball and hockey on 24 August, Burgess Hill play day on 25 August, Bolney play day and inflatables on 26 August
Graphic by Mid Sussex News

Two free trails, any day

The Haywards Heath History Hunt is running two free family trails around the town until Monday 31 August. (Haywards Heath Town Council)

The Fairy Trail at East Court, East Grinstead is free and permanent. It sits in the woodland behind the play park at the top entrance, and the town council describes it as short and suited to little ones, with fairy doors hidden in the trees, toadstools to count, bug hotels and small wooden animals to spot. There is a picnic area and a play area alongside. (East Grinstead Town Council)

What it means for you

Three of the eight sessions need something done in advance or on arrival, and they are not the same thing:

  • Move It Monday on 24 August: waiver completed online beforehand.
  • Inflatables on 26 August: register at the gazebo when you get there.
  • Teddy Bears Picnic on 21 August: tickets have gone, but you can still come without food.

Everything else is turn up and take part.

Parking is the practical catch at the Play Days. The district council says space is limited at some locations and asks families to walk, cycle or use public transport where possible. Two of the three remaining sites, Handcross and Bolney, are villages off the A23 with small recreation grounds. Our roadworks and travel page covers what is closed this fortnight, and there is more to do across the district on our things to do in Mid Sussex page.

The Play Days are aimed at under 10s but open to all ages, and the district council says more than 30 organisations deliver activities across the programme, from giant outdoor games and circus skills to music workshops, magic shows, sports and crafts.

Sources