- 25.06.26
Looking for things to do in Milton Keynes this summer?
Every summer, parents are handed the same list of suggestions. Go to the park. Have a picnic. Explore the countryside. Let the children run around outside until they tire themselves out.
All perfectly good ideas. Just maybe not… every single day for eight weeks. Not when you’ve also been at the office. Not when the weather swings between blistering heat and sudden downpours. Not when the garden has already done several shifts as an activity centre. And not when the lovely idea of driving to the countryside after work turns into a lot of packing and parking, and not much in the way of edible food or usable bathrooms.
We love the great outdoors at Unity Place. But there are days when outside has had its chance, and what you need is something easier, cooler, drier, or not quite so dependent on everyone remaining cheerful in a field. From creative workshops to family-friendly sport screenings, here are a few useful (and affordable) things to do in Milton Keynes this summer.
Free photography workshops for kids and teens
No generation has taken more photos than today’s youth. But when taking a picture is as easy as lifting a phone, there’s not always much reason to pause and think about what makes a good one.
Our free summer photography workshops give younger photographers the chance to do exactly that. Taking place on 11th, 18th and 25th August, with two sessions held each day for juniors and teens, the workshops explore framing, light and how to look at familiar surroundings with a little more intention. Better still? They don’t cost a penny.
Family-friendly sports screenings
Watching sport is one of the easier things to do in summer in Milton Keynes, at least in theory. The trouble is, a lot of the usual places to watch sport don’t always sit quite right when you’ve got children with you. A dark pub packed with roaring adults might be excellent with your mates, but somehow less ideal when you’re on parent duty.
At the Urban Food Market, our sports screenings cover everything from the World Cup to Wimbledon. The screen is big, the room is bright, and you get a buzzy atmosphere without feeling like you’ve dragged the kids into a grown-up plan and hoped for the best. Complete with snacks and a bar, there’s enough to keep everyone going without losing the match-day feeling.
Creative evening workshops in Milton Keynes
The children aren’t the only ones who can tire of the summer script. By dusk, there’s something very appealing about a plan that doesn’t involve doomscrolling through Netflix in a stuffy living room.
Anisa, a local mum and influencer, has the right idea.
“I always love Unity Place summer events,” she says. “I enjoy bringing my friends and family along too. Looking forward to the breathwork class and reed diffuser making.”
Our beginner-friendly workshops are made for people who want to try new things to do in Milton Keynes this summer without needing any creative credentials. You might master the perfect blend of essential oils in a reed diffuser making workshop, or build something mossy with Tiny Terra in a terrarium workshop. Either way, you leave with something special to show for it.
Summer dining and street food
The Urban Food Market also makes a strong case for building food into the plan. Angela, who works at Santander, says one of her favourite things about Unity Place in summer is sitting outside to eat.
“I’m loving the new salad bar, and the sandwich deal has gone down well with colleagues,” she says. “I’m also delighted to have the return of the omelette!”
With rotating street food bringing new cuisines every two weeks, alongside the occasional returning favourite, there’s plenty to choose from if you’re stopping for lunch or staying for something else.
A summer of love?
Of course, not every summer plan has to be built around keeping people entertained. If your version of the season is more about meeting someone new, an evening offline might offer more than you’d expect.
Hosted by local business Solo Connects, our Singles Nights offer the chance to meet people in person at Unity Sky Lounge. Glamorous setting? Check. Panoramic views across Milton Keynes? Check. 2-4-1 cocktails to help things along? Check. Certainly more promising than meeting a total stranger for warm beers in the park.
Over to you
Let's face it, parks and picnics aren’t going anywhere. But if you’re looking for things to do this summer in Milton Keynes, that are a little more varied and a lot less weather-dependent, Unity Place is a great place to start.
Don't just take our word for it...
