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.
***We're now taking bookings for the October half term - please click on Download PDF below to see dates, times and details***
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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 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).
***We're now taking bookings for the October half term - please click on Download PDF below to see dates, times and details***
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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 Cycling Experience is a great next step for children who enjoy riding their bike and want to try a different style of cycling.
Track Cycling Experience
For confident riders who would like to experience the excitement of velodrome track cycling
Our Track Cycling Experience sessions (for ages 9-16) provides an 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 as well as those that already attend a Track Cycling Club. Our experienced coaches will provide activities and guidance appropriate to their level.
No previous track cycling experience is needed, making this a great introduction to the sport for confident young riders who are comfortable cycling independently and controlling their bike.
Bikes and helmets are provided and no specialist cycling clothing is required.
*** Unfortunately, Cycle Derby will not be running our usual Track Cycling Experience session this October half term, but Derby Arena will be running one on Monday 26th October. For more details see the poster below and contact Derby Arena with any questions or to book your place - 01332 640011 or derbyarena@derby.gov.uk. ***
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Looking for more track cycling opportunities? Derby Arena offers an After School Track Cycling Club, providing a great next step for children who have enjoyed our Track Cycling Experience sessions and would like to ride on the velodrome more regularly.
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!
I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to Neil for teaching my son how to ride a bike! Neil was incredibly patient, kind and lovely, and he knew exactly how to approach my son, who is autistic. He made him feel comfortable, encouraged him, and adapted his teaching to suit him perfectly. My son went from not being able to ride a bike at all to riding a pedal bike in just one session. Absolutely incredible! We couldn’t be happier and would highly recommend Neil to anyone looking for a fantastic and patient bike instructor. Thank you so much, Neil!
Please can you pass on our thanks to the Learn To Ride team at Markeaton today. Our grandson 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!
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!
I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to Neil for teaching my son how to ride a bike! Neil was incredibly patient, kind and lovely, and he knew exactly how to approach my son, who is autistic. He made him feel comfortable, encouraged him, and adapted his teaching to suit him perfectly. My son went from not being able to ride a bike at all to riding a pedal bike in just one session. Absolutely incredible! We couldn’t be happier and would highly recommend Neil to anyone looking for a fantastic and patient bike instructor. Thank you so much, Neil!
Please can you pass on our thanks to the Learn To Ride team at Markeaton today. Our grandson 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!