Fun cycling activities for children during the school holidays
From first pedals to cycling adventures and velodrome track cycling, our school holiday sessions offer something for riders of all abilities. Explore the activities below and download the posters for dates, locations and booking information.
Types of holday activities for kids
Learn to Ride
For children learning to ride a bike without stabilisers
Our popular one-to-one Learn to Ride sessions help children (for ages 4+) take their first independent pedal strokes in a safe, supportive environment with our friendly Cycle Trainers. Coaching is tailored to each child, helping them develop balance, confidence and the skills needed to ride a bike independently.
Sessions are 50 minutes and take place at Markeaton Park. Bring your own bike and helmet or borrow one of ours.
Older beginner riders are very welcome, with one-to-one coaching tailored to each child's age, confidence and experience. While children can attend from age 4, those closer to age 5 often get the most from the session.
***Dates for October half term sessions will be announced soon***
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Already riding without stabilisers? Our New to Two Wheels sessions are the next step to build confidence, bike control and group riding skills.
New to Two Wheels
For children who can already ride a bike without stabilisers and are looking to build their confidence and control
Our fun New to Two Wheels group sessions (for ages 4–9) is the ideal next step after learning to ride. Through a range of games and activities, children will practise key cycling skills including steering, cornering, braking, balance and manoeuvring their bike in a safe traffic-free environment.
These sessions are 1 hour and usually take place at Derby Arena or Markeaton Park. If held at Derby Arena, children must bring their own bike and helmet. If held at Markeaton Park, bikes and helmets may be available to borrow (please enquire at time of booking).
***Dates for October half term sessions will be announced soon***
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Ready to put those new skills into practice? Our Adventure Bike Ride sessions are the perfect next step for confident riders, combining traffic-free bike rides, outdoor adventure and the chance to cycle further with friends.
Adventure Bike Ride
For children who are confident riding independently and would enjoy cycling further as part of a group
Our Adventure Bike Rides (for ages 6-12) follow traffic-free routes to local parks and green spaces, giving children the opportunity to build stamina, confidence and independence while enjoying a fun cycling adventure with other young riders.
The 3-hour session includes a guided ride by our Cycle Trainers, a lunch stop (packed lunch required) and plenty of time to enjoy being active outdoors.
Children must bring their own bike and helmet (bikes with gears are recommended for the distances covered).
***We're sorry this session won't be running in October 2026 half term***
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Would your child be interested in a new cycling challenge? Our Track Day is a great next step for children who enjoy bike rides and want to experience a different style of cycling.
Track Day on the velodrome
For confident riders who would like to experience the excitement of velodrome track cycling
Our Track Day sessions (for ages 9-16) give young riders the opportunity to ride on the indoor velodrome at Derby Arena using specialist track bikes provided by Cycle Derby.
The day includes coached activities to prepare riders for the track before progressing onto the velodrome itself. Riders are grouped according to their experience and confidence, making the session suitable for both those trying track cycling for the first time and those looking to further develop their existing track cycling skills.
Whether your child is completely new to track cycling or already enjoys riding as part of a track club, our experienced coaches will provide activities and guidance appropriate to their level.
Sessions run from 10am to 3pm and include breaks and time for a packed lunch. Bikes and helmets are provided and no specialist cycling clothing is required.
Riders should already be confident cycling independently and be comfortable controlling their bike.
***We're sorry this session won't be running in October 2026 half term***
Book Now
Spaces on Cycle Derby holiday sessions are limited and advance booking is essential.
To book a place on any of our sessions, please email cyclederby@derby.gov.uk with your child’s name and age, a contact number and the details of the session activity and date you’d like to book. Payment will be required to secure a place.
For the latest updates on holiday activity dates as soon as they’re released, follow us on Facebook at The Cycle Derby or check back on this page.
If you’re unsure which session is right for your child, the Cycle Derby team are happy to help. Get in touch with us at cyclederby@derby.gov.uk or by calling 07570 955019.
Testimonial
We did the Learn to Ride class today and were blown away with the progress our daughter made in 50min. From balance bike at the start of the session, to a pedal trike to develop pedal strokes, and then on to pedalling unaided at the end of the session! The instructors were all fantastic! You’ll definitely see us again, with our youngest, when it’s her turn and for the development workshops for our new rider. Thank you so much!
Just wanted to drop you a note to say a huge thank you to the team today! Really appreciate their efforts with Harry, I've never seen him get on a bike so confidently and it's the first time I've seen him enjoying it too! He started on a balance bike and has come out riding his bike with confidence and a huge smile on his face - he was absolutely chuffed! Us too!
Please can you pass on our thanks to the Learn To Ride team at Markeaton today. Our grandson Finley had a wonderful time. We left the session and went to go buy a new (bigger) bike. Then spent two hours riding around Duffield and also Grandpa’s field. One very happy, very tired boy who says he loves riding his bike. A huge thank you to everyone.
My 5 year old attended his first Learn to Ride session. He was a total non rider and was very anxious about not having stabilisers. By the end of our first lesson Jack was riding, albeit very wobbly. I was fortunate enough to be able to book a second session 2 days later and by the end of this lesson, we had a happy rider. I was also given advice on which bike would suit our son best and he was able to try a couple for size. I cannot praise both your service and your instructors highly enough and as such wanted to pass on my thanks formally. I haven’t stopped smiling all day and I’ve told all my friends just how brilliant the Cycle Derby team are. Thank you once again, I’m truly overwhelmed and the sessions were worth every penny!
Hi just wanted to say how brilliant the learn to ride session was at Markeaton last week. The guys who helped my daughter were fab and in 5 days she's gone from only ever having sat on a bike twice (and peddling backwards!) to being able to confidently ride a bike without any help or stabilisers. We'll definitely be booking for our younger children when they're old enough. Thanks again!
Thank you Cycle Derby – the children had an absolutely fantastic time yesterday at the velodrome! ...I was so impressed by them all and I think it's fair to say, they exceeded their own expectations!.
Testimonial
We did the Learn to Ride class today and were blown away with the progress our daughter made in 50min. From balance bike at the start of the session, to a pedal trike to develop pedal strokes, and then on to pedalling unaided at the end of the session! The instructors were all fantastic! You’ll definitely see us again, with our youngest, when it’s her turn and for the development workshops for our new rider. Thank you so much!
Just wanted to drop you a note to say a huge thank you to the team today! Really appreciate their efforts with Harry, I've never seen him get on a bike so confidently and it's the first time I've seen him enjoying it too! He started on a balance bike and has come out riding his bike with confidence and a huge smile on his face - he was absolutely chuffed! Us too!
Please can you pass on our thanks to the Learn To Ride team at Markeaton today. Our grandson Finley had a wonderful time. We left the session and went to go buy a new (bigger) bike. Then spent two hours riding around Duffield and also Grandpa’s field. One very happy, very tired boy who says he loves riding his bike. A huge thank you to everyone.
My 5 year old attended his first Learn to Ride session. He was a total non rider and was very anxious about not having stabilisers. By the end of our first lesson Jack was riding, albeit very wobbly. I was fortunate enough to be able to book a second session 2 days later and by the end of this lesson, we had a happy rider. I was also given advice on which bike would suit our son best and he was able to try a couple for size. I cannot praise both your service and your instructors highly enough and as such wanted to pass on my thanks formally. I haven’t stopped smiling all day and I’ve told all my friends just how brilliant the Cycle Derby team are. Thank you once again, I’m truly overwhelmed and the sessions were worth every penny!
Hi just wanted to say how brilliant the learn to ride session was at Markeaton last week. The guys who helped my daughter were fab and in 5 days she's gone from only ever having sat on a bike twice (and peddling backwards!) to being able to confidently ride a bike without any help or stabilisers. We'll definitely be booking for our younger children when they're old enough. Thanks again!