With summer well on its way and the holidays fast approaching, many parents all over the UK are trying to think of ways to keep their kids suitably entertained while creating invaluable family memories. This can be a stressful task, especially with the difficulties of the current cost of living crisis.
The good news is, you can do plenty of fun things with your kids, both in and out of the house, without breaking the bank. Make the most of the warm, sunny days and get some much needed Vitamin D into your kids’ bodies and your own, or keep them busy indoors, learning interesting facts and new skills.
Follow the useful tips below to enjoy the summer holidays with your kids without needing to count every penny.
Low Cost and Free Ways to Entertain Your Kids This Summer
Kids Pass – If you are wanting to give your kids all the best experiences, helping them to learn, get fit, or just have fun, Kids Pass is a great way to get excellent discounts on any number of activities. Membership costs just £3 per month, and the first month trial is only £1, so you can try it out without wasting money.
Kids Pass will give you access to thousands of offers all over the country through the dedicated app, including enormous discounts on a variety of getaways and outings. Take your kids on beach holidays or camping trips, to theme parks and animal parks, to the movies, to museums, and even out for dinner at affordable rates.
Discounts – If you’re looking for once-off deals, rather than a membership, browse discount sites, like Groupon and Vouchercloud, for a variety of well-priced family adventures. You can also use comparison sites to find the best prices for activities in your area. Also look for discounts at your local cinema, and remember that many cinema companies offer excellent prices for kids.
Museums – There is an abundance of museums all over the UK, a few of which even offer free entry in exchange for a small donation. Most have lower rates for kids, and many of them offer informative tours and learning experiences, helping you make the summer holidays a time of fun and education for your little ones. Search this site for museums in your area.
Outdoor activities – There are endless options for things to do with your kids outdoors. Some are free, and plenty are very well priced. Enjoy the fact that you live on a relatively small island by visiting your nearest beach (you are surrounded by ocean, after all). There are plenty of ways your kids can keep themselves busy while you relax in the sun, including exploring rock pools, building sand castles, and playing in the waves.
If the beach isn’t for you, take the kids hiking in the woodlands or along a stream in the hills. Hiking is a healthy and fun activity that will be free or very low-cost in most cases. Raise your own fitness levels as well as your kids’, and teach them a little bit about nature while you’re at it. The National Trust has a list of wonderful family walks and hikes – find one in your area and get hiking!
Visit your local leisure center for more sporty activities, like swimming or tennis, or spend the day at your local public pool where your kids can meet other children their age, and possibly make some new friends. For a longer outing, take the kids camping – many campsites may seem excessively expensive, but a good way to find cheaper options is to search for places that are a little more off the beaten track.
During your exploration of the great outdoors, consider a little activity called Geocaching. You and your kids could become a part of history by putting your names down in a number of geocaching logbooks, while enjoying the excitement of a treasure hunt.
Things to do at home – for those who would prefer to spend their quality family time at home, creating fond memories with their children in the place where everyone feels safest, there are plenty of fun ways to keep the whole family busy. On a cold and rainy day, try teaching the kids how to bake cakes or cookies, and eat them while playing an educational board game or a game of cards in the evening.
When the weather is nice, set up an outdoor cinema with a borrowed or hired film projector and a piece of white board or PVC, and let your children choose the movies for the evening while you make some popcorn for everyone to enjoy. If your kids are old enough and adventurous enough, pitch a tent in the garden and let them camp outside – all the fun of camping, but with a real bed and a real toilet just a few steps away if they decide they don’t enjoy it.
So remember, although the summer holidays are a time for giving your kids fun and exciting experiences, they don’t have to be the reason you are under even more financial pressure. Look for exciting things to do that will fulfill your and your kids’ ideas of a fun summer holiday without making the rest of the year more stressful.
If you are worried about the summer holidays and all the added expenses associated with having your kids at home, perhaps it’s time to contact our non-judgmental team at Debt Movement for the best advice, debt guidance, and solutions.
