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 the school holidays so here’s how to do it on a budget.
Under £3 cinema tickets
Cineworld are doing £2 family films including Shaun the sheep, pirates, Flushed away and much more! I popped this into my basket to test out and the child tickets came to £1.75 each and the adults were £2! Definitely a bargain to make use of.
Free National Trust events
There are free events running all autumn at national trusts all over the UK. It includes pumpkin carving, halloween storytelling, and haunted trails.
If you’re not a National Trust member, memberships start at £9.10 a month for family tickets and under 5s go free!
Free entry to UK attractions with a Blue Peter badge
Kids get free entry to over 200 UK attractions if they have a Blue Peter badge. Attractions include the science and industry museum, London zoo, dinosaur museums, oceanariums, selected national trusts and many more!
To apply for a Blue Peter Badge see here.
Free activities at IKEA
IKEA is a brilliant day out during the holidays as they have so many free activities running including halloween costume parties, spooky movie nights, animal encounters and much more! There’s even options for older kids too with 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 holidays 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 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!
Free LOL Doll Music Festival
Smyths are running a suprise LOL Doll music festival tour where kids can dress up, have make-overs and have the ultimate festival experience.
The tickets for this are completely free but are going FAST so book now!
Hobbycraft Workshops for Under £10
Hobbycraft have so many workshops running for under a tenner including paper mache ghost and pumpkin workshops, spooky canvas decorating and halloween slime making. There’s even options for adults too!
The workshops are for ages 3+ and an adult has to supervise while the kids are there.
They get to take whatever they have made home too!
Three-night half-term holiday from £149
On HoSeasons you can get tonnes of mini getaways in great locations across the UK from just £149 for a family of four in October half-term.
You could also get 3 nights away in October half-term for up to 6 people including:
A 3 bedroom caravan that sleeps up to 6 people
Full access to pumpkin patch and carving sessions
Access to the splash waterpark, lido archery, golf, soft play and more.
Halloween themed evening entertainment.
All for under £10 per person per night!
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!
