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15 Free Things to Do in Chesterfield with Kids (2026 Guide)

15 Free Things to Do in Chesterfield with Kids (2026 Guide)

Updated April 2026

Abbie Coleman is a Derbyshire-based mum of two and the founder of MMB Magazine and Ey-Up. She creates easy-to-read guides covering what’s on for families in Derbyshire, sharing local events, free activities and tried-and-tested ideas that make planning days out simpler for busy mums. Contact us to work with Ey-UP as a business or as a new blogger.

Abbie Coleman from ey-up derbyshire kids and ey up nottinghamshire kids with her two children

When you entertain the kids, costs can soon start to add up with all the fun things and fun places to visit, lunches, drinks, and ice cream, especially during the Derbyshire school holidays. We have listed 15 free things to do and experiences in Chesterfield for 2026. The best things for you and your family on those days you need to keep costs down. Have we missed any for children of all ages?

Then, please let us know at abbie@ey-up.co.uk so we can make this the ultimate free things to do in Chesterfield with kids guide for local parents.

Also, make sure to read our article on the best yearly passes in Derbyshire, which may help keep costs down throughout the year.

🏞️ 1. Queen’s Park

It’s always a go-to for us as our perfect place in the warmer months and on a few days when it’s not so warm, to get some fresh air and burn off some energy. From a game of football to the playgrounds. There are two great outdoor play areas, one for younger children and one for older kids. Toilets are just by the younger kids’ play area and are well looked after. There is a small café, and the prices are reasonable if you want refreshments, but many people bring their own.

eliza on the slide for a free things to do in chesterfield with kids at queens park

Sometimes, in summer, the Queen’s Park miniature railway train will be working. While not free, it can often be a highlight if you have the funds. But you can have just as much fun with young children waving to those going around and racing the train.

Pack a picnic, some toys, and a picnic mat, and you can easily spend the day. If they are playing cricket, you might also get to watch a game. It’s a great day for the whole family, especially when the weather is great in the summer, a must for a listing in our guide to free things to do in Chesterfield with kids. Keep an eye out in May for the Derbyshire Cricket Club T20 a great day out for the kids.

Why not check out our full list of playgrounds in Chesterfield.

Why not check out our free museums in Derbyshire for kids listings.

A family-friendly children’s museum is a fun way for children to see the local history and interactive exhibition displays. We always loved dropping in to walk around and play in our free time in the holidays, especially in colder weather. We would do the Chesterfield museum in the morning and Queens Park in the afternoon.

  • 📍 St Mary’s Gate, Chesterfield, S41 7TD (next to the Crooked Spire)
  • 🌐 Chesterfield Museum

🦆 3. Holmebrook Valley Park

There is a beautiful open space with ducks, a nature centre with trails over 130 acres, and a great playground for children of all ages. Why not take your push bikes, skateboards, or scooters for free fun and a great time? We take the back carrier in case Eliza gets tired. It’s full of outdoor adventures on every trip so a must for our free things to do in Chesterfield with kids list. Why not try to spot the following which it lists are often seen in the park when you visit next? 

mum with toddler on back and sone and dog walking through holmebrook park
  • Yellowhammer
  • Bullfinch
  • Tree creeper
  • Tawny owl
  • Grey partridge
  • Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
  • Goosander
  • Grass snakes
  • White-clawed crayfish
  • Butterflies 

🎨 4. Vicar Lane – Free Events

Keep an eye out on the website or social media for the free special events Vicar Lane runs in Chesterfield town centre, often during the school holidays. They have lots of fun and free things planned. We have been involved in scarecrow making, snowball fights, wreath making, elves workshops, and more! Vicar Lane is always out on some great events, which are often overlooked, so make sure to keep an eye out during the school holidays.

little girl at free event in chesterfield run by vicar lane for a snow ball fight

🐾 5. Linacre Reservoirs

A fresh-air walk through woodland and around three reservoirs, with miles of trails to follow, is great for family hikes or dog walks. Many picnic areas are en route for the warmer or even colder months in the sun. This is an ideal destination for riding bikes or scooters and ensures tired little legs at the end of your adventures.

📚 6. Chesterfield Library – Children’s Section

Books, crafts, free activities and library storytimes – especially during school holidays. There is also a small area for little ones to read and play with some toys on the wall, along with computers for older ones. It is often underused and overlooked, but it is a great free thing to do in Chesterfield with kids, so grab your library ticket and head down, there’s something great about kids choosing their own books to take home and open a world of adventures.

🛝 7. Eastwood Park, Hasland

Excellent local park with a fab big playground and plenty of space to explore.

Looking for even more insporation check out our 100 things to do in Derbyshire with Kids.

🥾 8. Sorbo Restaurant

A great family-friendly restaurant in Chesterfield town centre. They have a toddlers play area along with an arts and crafts table set up. So while not free if you buy a coffee you can go in and let your little ones play and craft while you sit back and relax for as little as £3.50.

little girl at arts and crafts table at Sorbo Chesterfield

🧩 9. DIY Chesterfield Treasure Trail

Create your own adventure around the town centre with clues! Start at the Crooked Spire and explore.

  • 📍 Church of St Mary and All Saints, Church Way, Chesterfield, S40 1XJ
  • 🌐 Create your own printable trail. We hope to add ours soon.

🦖 10. Tapton Lock Visitor Centre & Canal Walk

A gentle walk along the canal, with a visitor centre offering maps and sometimes kids’ activities. 

Keep an eye out for the free entry to the Tapton Lock festival, typically held in September, with live shows and storytelling. We did the Derbyshire bumble bee tour one year and even got to make a wooden bumble bee ornament. A really great event that needs support but also offers a great free day out. Food trucks will be onsite, which are not free, but most activities are free for the whole family in a lovely, relaxed atmosphere. Keep an eye out; they often do free canal boat trips, so you must book in advance. We even had a go of canoeing on the canal, which was great fun. So, it’s a must-do for our free things to do in Chesterfield with kids listing.

🧺 11. Chesterfield Flea Market

One of the largest open-air flea markets in the country, this is a free, fun day to check out the many treasures for the whole family. Held every Thursday, it’s packed with quirky stalls selling everything from vintage toys to books, records, bric-a-brac and more. It’s a great way to teach kids about money, bartering, and the fun of second-hand finds. You never know what they will discover!

💡 Top tip: Pair it with a visit to the Crooked Spire and the library.

🎖️ 12. Chesterfield 1940s Market Day (Annual Free Event)

Step back in time with this popular free-themed event held in Chesterfield’s Market Square every October. It’s like stepping into a time machine with vintage stalls, classic cars, war-time singers, re-enactments, and people dressed in 1940s outfits. Many families come in costume, and there’s usually free entertainment, live music, and fun for the kids.

  • 📍 Market Place, Chesterfield Town Centre, S40 1AR
  • 📅 Every October – check the Chesterfield Council site for exact dates
  • 🌐 Chesterfield 1940s Market Info

💡 Top tip: Encourage the kids to dress up in vintage style – flat caps, tea dresses, or evacuee tags always go down a treat!

🎪 13. Chesterfield Children’s Festival at Queen’s Park (Annual Free Event – July)

This two-day free family festival is fun and one of the best places for little ones in the heart of Chesterfield. It’s also one of the best days out for your calendar. Free admission—think arts and crafts, circus skills, storytelling, theatre, music, and hands-on activities for all ages. Held in Queen’s Park every July, it’s a brilliant way to keep the kids entertained and make the most of summer in Chesterfield, and it keeps getting better every year. This is a must for our free things to do in Chesterfield with kids a really great day out we whole heartedly ask you to support.

  • 📍 Queen’s Park, Boythorpe Road, Chesterfield, S40 2ND
  • 📅 Usually mid-July –  This year, dates announced by Chesterfield Borough Council
  • 🌐 Children’s Festival Info

💡 Top tip: Bring a picnic blanket, sun cream, and snacks—there are food stalls, too! It’s great for meeting other families and letting the kids burn off energy.

⚽ 14. Free Taster Sessions at Local Kids’ Clubs & Classes

Many children’s activity providers across Chesterfield offer a free first session, so your child can try before you buy. There’s something for every age and interest, from rugby tots to ballet, street dance, football academies, martial arts, and drama clubs.

  • 📍 Various locations across Chesterfield
  • 💡 Top tip: Check out our baby and toddler class listings for free trials.

Some popular places to check:

💬 Insider tip: Book early for September starts or new term tasters – spaces fill fast after summer!

🚌 15. Low-Cost Bonus: Open-Top Tourist Bus Chesterfield to Mam Tor

Okay, it’s not technically free things to do in Chesterfield with kids, but this open-air double-decker bus is always a winner for my two kids and low cost. You can jump on at Chesterfield Train Station or Town Centre. It’s a great journey through the Derbyshire countryside, winding through wonderful places like Bakewell, Castleton, and up to Mam Tor. You can hop on and off along the route, making it perfect for mini-adventures or a full day out at low cost.

💡 Top tip: Sit up top (front seats if you’re brave!) and bring snacks or binoculars for the views. Hop off at Mam Tor for a short walk with jaw-dropping views, or explore Castleton’s caves and cafés.

#Free Things to Do in Chesterfield with Kids

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