The summer holidays are finally here which is great for the kids… but what about the parents? Mums and dads all over the country will be trying to concoct a host of ideas of how to keep the kids entertained for six weeks. Many will also be trying to come up with ideas of how to fund the summer- as keeping the kids active and engaged can be an expensive task. A fun day out need not cost an arm and a leg, which is why we’ve put this guide together to give you a little help with keeping the little ones busy…
Use Money Off Vouchers
If you have older kids, no doubt they’ll be asking to visit one of the UK’s most popular theme parks/ wildlife centres. Admission costs to these kinds of places are notorious for being on the expensive side- but this doesn’t have to be the case. Before you plan a day out have a look online and see if there are any money off vouchers for the main attractions. For example, there are Alton Towers vouchers which entitle you to 2 for 1 on admission if you take the voucher with you and present it at the gates. You can also get 3 for 2 on wristbands for Blackpool Pleasure Beach if you book online in advance. This will help keep costs down and will give you some spare cash to spend on packed lunches, petrol or travel.
Sign Up to a Sporting Scheme
Many companies put on free sporting academies for the youngsters to keep them fit over summer and most are free to enrol on. Do a little research into what’s available in your area. Whether your child is a keen footballer, a ballerina, a wrestler or a golfer- there will be sure to be a scheme in place which will cater to your children’s hobbies. It’s also worth popping down to your local youth centre and see what activities they have on offer- not only will it get the kids out of the house but it’s also an opportunity for them to make new friends.
Host a Crafts/Art Day
Keep their minds active. Organise a crafts day and let their creative energy run free! You can buy supplies quite cheaply, such as water colours, paper, crayons, charcoal etc which will keep the little ones busy for hours. Encourage them to make Birthday cards and presents for anyone who’s Birthday is coming up, or ask them to paint a picture for their grandparents. Having a project will keep them focused- however remember to ‘proof’ your house before hand- don’t want your beige couch or cream wallpaper getting ruined!
Look for Free Days Out
Even though most days out will require you to spend some money, there are some activities you can do for free. If you live close to a big city there will be sure to be some museums, art galleries or foreign markets you can explore- which are not only fun but educational. If you live in a more rural area then why not head out to the woods? There is bound to be a nature trail nearby where the little ones can forage for unusual creepy crawlies and get back to nature. If you live by the coast, taking the kids to the beach for the day can be extremely cheap and the kids will love it. There will obviously be some minor costs including transport and lunch, but this can be tackled fairly easily. Instead of paying for parking, take the bus- this should save on petrol as well as parking. Also, you can take a packed lunch with you instead of forking out for lunches in expensive cafés or restaurants.
Transform Your Garden
Dig out any old paddling pools, outdoor toys, balls, and games you have and let the kids loose in the back garden. This will obviously depend on the great British weather, but the best part about it is you can be spontaneous as it won’t cost you a penny. This gives you the opportunity to get comfy in a deck chair while the kids have fun in the garden. You could even suggest hosting these days for friend’s children and in return they throw one and invite your children.
A Summer Days Out article, written by Rachael Miller of moneysupermarket.com
