Half-term football camps in Kingston: parent's guide

Short answer: A good half-term football camp gives your child a full day of play, not a day of queues. Look for UEFA- or FA-qualified coaches with enhanced DBS checks, groups split by age, games between the football, and a clear plan for lunch and rain. Most Kingston schools break for October half-term in the week of 26 October 2026.

When is October half-term in Kingston?

Kingston's council calendar marks the school holiday from Monday 26 October 2026, so most community schools in Kingston, Surbiton and Tolworth are off from 26 to 30 October. Academies and independent schools can set their own dates, so check your school's calendar before you book anything.

The rest of the 2026/27 school year follows the usual pattern. The council calendar marks these holiday starts:

Book once you know your school's dates. Two weeks ahead is a safe habit, before the half-term childcare scramble starts.

What does a good football camp day look like?

A good camp day looks like a long football session with breathing space built in. Children play in short blocks, eat, rest, then play again. The day should feel full, and nobody should spend it standing in a line waiting for a turn.

Here is how a day runs at our camps at Goals Tolworth:

1. 10:00, drop-off and warm-up. Games with a ball from the first minute, so the shy ones have something to do with their hands and feet straight away.
2. Morning session. Technical work on the ball, then small-sided games. Small teams mean more touches for everyone.
3. Quizzes and brain games. Short breaks between sessions to get their breath back while they keep thinking.
4. Lunch. A packed lunch and a calmer hour: board games, football video games and a chance to make friends off the pitch.
5. Afternoon. Team-building games (relays, group challenges), then matches.
6. Silly races and mini-competitions. No skills needed. The coaches usually lose.
7. 15:00, collection. Tired, muddy at the knees and full of stories.

The mix matters. Six hours of pure football is too much for a 5-year-old, and a teenager gets bored if the day is all games and no proper football. Ask any camp how it splits the day by age.

How do I choose a holiday football camp? Seven questions to ask

Every camp says it's fun and safe. These questions show you whether that's true. A good organiser answers them without hesitating.

1. Who are the coaches, and what are their qualifications?

Look for a named head coach with a UEFA or FA coaching licence, not just "experienced staff". Ask who will actually be with your child's group on the day.

2. Are the coaches DBS-checked, and who is the safeguarding lead?

Everyone coaching children should have an enhanced DBS check. The camp should name a Designated Safeguarding Lead and have a written safeguarding policy you can read. Our guide to choosing a safe football club covers what to look for in more detail.

3. How are the children grouped?

A 4-year-old and a 14-year-old need different games. Ask how the camp groups children by age and ability, and what happens to a child who is the only one of their age on the day.

4. What happens when it rains?

British half-terms are wet. Ask what the plan is for heavy rain, and whether the pitch drains. Floodlit 3G pitches, like the ones at Goals Tolworth, stay playable in most weather.

5. What is my child doing when they're not playing football?

Lunch and rest breaks are where children either make friends or get lonely. A good camp plans that time: quizzes, board games, a coach nearby.

6. Can I book single days?

Single days suit most families in a half-term week: one camp day, one grandparent day, one day off together. Check whether the camp lets you book day by day and whether siblings can book different days.

7. What exactly does it cost?

Compare the price per day and what it includes. Our article on what kids' football costs in London sets out what's normal across the city.

What should my child bring to football camp?

Pack the night before. Label everything with your child's name, especially water bottles, which all look the same by 11 o'clock.

• Packed lunch and a couple of snacks. A long day of play burns through breakfast fast.
• A big water bottle.
• Football boots that suit 3G or grass. Moulded studs or astro trainers both work on 3G.
• Shin pads.
• Layers for the weather: a warm top and a waterproof in October, sun cream and a cap in summer.
• Spare socks. Wet socks end a good mood faster than losing a match.

Is my child too young (or too old) for a football camp?

Most children are ready for a camp day from about 4, if they're happy to be dropped off and can follow a simple instruction. If your child has never been left with a coach, try one regular session first so the faces and the pitch are familiar. Our guide to what age kids can start football lists the signs of readiness.

Teenagers are not too old. Older players get more from a camp day when they train with their own age group on real football problems: playing out from the back, finishing, small-sided matches with proper intensity. Our camps take ages 4 to 17.

Children don't need to be good at football, and they don't need to train with us during term. Plenty of children come to camp just because a friend is going.

A day for you, too

Half-term is hard on working parents. A camp day gives your child a full, active day with people who know what they're doing, and gives you a working day, a quiet day or a day to get things done. You drop off in the morning and collect a tired, happy child in the afternoon.

If the weather is good and they still have energy left at home, our seven garden football games will finish the job.

October half-term camp at Konevych FDC

Our Autumn Holiday Camp runs on Wednesday 28 October 2026, 10am to 3pm, at Goals Tolworth, Kingston Road, Surbiton KT5 9NT. It costs £70 a day, for ages 4 to 17, with UEFA-licensed coaching led by head coach Andrii Konevych (UEFA C). Every coach has an enhanced DBS check, we have a Designated Safeguarding Lead, and there is a first aid kit at every session.

Book online as a guest. You don't need an account, and each child can have their own days. Book the Autumn Holiday Camp or see all our holiday camps. New to the venue? Read our page on kids' football training in Tolworth for parking and directions.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be a member to book a camp?

No. Camps are open to any child aged 4 to 17. You can book as a guest and pay by card.

Can I book just one day?

Yes. You pick the days for each child separately at checkout.

What if my child doesn't know anyone?

That's normal. The day starts with games, not introductions, and team games and lunch-time board games give children plenty of reasons to talk to each other.

Can my child try regular training after camp?

Yes. Every child's first regular session is free. Book a free trial if camp goes well and they want more.