Liverpool City Council is launching a new free leisure membership for children and young people, helping more families access opportunities to stay active, healthy, and connected to their local community.
From Monday 6 July 2026, eligible young people aged 8-17 who live in Liverpool will be able to sign up for the new Kids Go Free membership as part of the council’s Active Lifestyles Youth Offer.
The new membership provides free access to gym and swimming sessions at participating Lifestyles centres across the city and is designed to encourage healthier lifestyles, improve wellbeing, and provide access to safe, inclusive leisure facilities for local young people.
The initiative supports Liverpool City Council’s commitment to reducing barriers to physical activity and ensuring that every child can enjoy the benefits of regular exercise.
Children and young people can register online or at any participating Lifestyles centre and will receive a new membership card free of charge.
What’s included?
The Kids Go Free membership includes:
- Free gym access at participating Lifestyles centres
- Free swimming during public swim sessions
- Access during both term time and school holidays.
Children who currently hold an Activ8 junior membership and only use gym and swimming facilities can choose to move onto the new free membership.
Gym access information
To ensure safe use of the facilities, anyone wishing to use the gym must complete an induction before getting started. Young people who have completed an induction through their Activ8 membership within the last 12 months may be able to transfer this across.
Gym access times are:
Term time
- Monday to Friday: 3pm-6pm
- Weekends: all day.
School holidays/non-term time
- Monday to Friday: 9am-6pm
- Weekends: all day.
Primary school-aged children must be accompanied by a responsible adult while in the gym. Secondary school-aged young people can use the gym independently during the designated access times.
Swimming information
Children can use swimming facilities immediately after joining during public swim sessions.
Normal supervision ratios continue to apply:
- Children under 4 years old must be accompanied by an adult on a 1:1 basis
- Children aged 4-7 years must be accompanied by an adult on a maximum ratio of two children to one adult.
Free swimming for children aged under 8 remains available.
Who can join?
The new membership is available to:
- Liverpool residents aged 8-17
- Children and young people who pass a postcode eligibility check during registration.
Memberships will automatically lapse the day before the 18th birthday.
Participating centres
The offer is available at Liverpool City Council-run Lifestyles centres across the city. The scheme does not include:
- Walton Sports Centre
- Cardinal Heenan.
How to sign up
From 6 July, eligible children and young people can sign up:
- Online via the Lifestyles website
- In person at any participating Lifestyles centre.
For more information on the Kids Go Free membership and participating centres, visit the Lifestyles website or speak to staff at your local leisure centre.
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said: “We are delighted to introduce the Kids Go Free membership, helping more children and young people across Liverpool enjoy the physical, mental, and social benefits of being active.
“By removing financial barriers to gym and swimming access, we’re investing in healthier futures for our young people and supporting families across the city.
“This is a fantastic scheme that we encourage all young people to get involved in. It’s a brilliant opportunity to get active, have fun, and improve your physical and mental health – all for free.”
