How to do May half-term on a budget - free and cheap things to do
If the thought of half-term is already making your bank balance nervous, you’re not alone. School holidays can feel like yet another expense we could all do without.
The good news is, you really don’t need to spend a fortune to keep the kids entertained. There are loads of free activities, cheap days out and holiday deals around half-term so here’s how to do it on a budget.
Half price bowling at Hollywood Bowl
Bowling is always a winner with kids and during the school holidays you can get half price games at Hollywood Bowl using the code MAYFUN50.
Top tip - you need to book before 11am, but I think this is actually a great way to dodge busy periods and peak-time pricing!
Free activities at IKEA
IKEA is a brilliant day out during half term as they have so many free activities running including building a hedgehog house, a little growers club, super-hero themed breakfasts, face painting and much more! There’s even options for older kids too with a 16+ paint and sip and adult quiz nights!
Top tip - once you’re done, the kids can eat in the restaurant for just 95p
Free pet pals workshops
Pets at Home is running their popular Pet Pals workshops during the half-term which are completely free! These are 45 minute sessions where kids can learn about creating the perfect home for pets. They’re fun but are also really educational and definitely ideal if you’ve got animal lovers at home.
Note that spaces are limited so it’s worth booking ahead.
Free entry at Drayton Manor
Kids go free at Drayton Manor from the 8th-31st May. You’ll need to book in advance as this is an online only offer. For every full-paying adult, one child aged 9 or under goes free! There’s loads to do there with all the rides, Thomas land, and all the animals in the zoo its guaranteed to keep the kids busy all day.
Free Football sessions
If you have a football lover in the house, or are looking to fill an hour without spending money, you should check out McDonalds free football events. They offer free football sessions for children ages 5-11 across the UK and the sessions are designed to help kids build confidence and learn new skills while having fun!
You can search for your nearest session online and book a place completely free of charge, and finding something free that also gets them outdoors and active is always a win!
Free Smyths event
Smyths Toys are running a free mini Toy Story giveaway on Saturday the 23rd May from 9am onwards. Kids can receive a Jessie, Woody, Buzz or Bullseye while stocks last.
Plus they are also doing free face painting in all stores on that day.
Free Paw Patrol events
The Entertainer has lots of different Paw Patrol character meet-and-greet events that are running across the year! Check out what date they are coming to a store near you!
Hobbycraft workshops for under £10
Hobbycraft have so many workshops running for under a tenner including slime making, canvas painting, and beaded animal keyring workshops. There’s even options for adults too!
The workshops are for ages 3+ and cost £8. An adult has to supervise while the kids are there, and they get to take whatever they have made home too!
Where kids eat cheap (or free) this May half-term
Food costs can easily make days out expensive so these deals are well worth knowing about.
Asda Cafe lets kids eat for £1 with no minimum spend on hot food or cold! The great thing about their cold deal is it’s pick and mix so if you’re heading out for the day, grab the cold meal and you’ve got a £1 picnic sorted!
At Morrisons Cafe, kids eat free all day, everyday with a £5 adult spend! They have also recently announced their Breakfast Club where families can enjoy a free Kellogg’s breakfast which includes a bowl of cereal and a portion of fruit throughout school holidays for both adults and kids!
Other great food deals such as a free 3 course meal for kids at Bella Italia can be found on this blog.
Three-night half-term holiday for £204
On Hoseasons you can get tonnes of mini getaways in great locations across the UK for just £204 for a family of four in May half-term.
Overall the school holidays don’t have to cost the earth. By mixing free events into at home fun you can keep the kids happy without putting yourself under financial pressure!
