The school holidays are the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with your kids and enjoy some downtime without the hustle and bustle of your usual morning routine.
But with costs rising across the board, families are on the lookout for cheap activities that can keep their kids entertained without breaking the bank.
In this article, we’ve rounded up our pick of the best free or low-cost activities so you can make memories whilst your kids are still young without worrying about the impact it’s having on your bank balance.
1. Get crafty
The school holidays are a great opportunity for your kids to get creative and, on a cold and gloomy day, nothing beats getting stuck into some good old-fashioned arts and crafts.
This could be anything from pumpkin-carving or puppet-making to hand-painting or wreath-making and with endless activities to choose from, you are guaranteed to find something to keep your kids busy for less.
Hobbycraft also holds regular workshops in select stores during the school holidays so your kids can meet children with similar interests and make seasonal crafts that can be reused for years to come, all for as little as £2 per person.
2. Explore a museum
The weather at this time of year can make it difficult to plan anything but there are plenty of ways to spend an afternoon when the weather doesn’t cooperate, including exploring a museum.
This can be a fun, educational and, most importantly, free, way to pass the time and with most museums hosting interactive workshops during the school holidays, your kids can get hands-on with the exhibits and get the most out of their visit.
MoneySavingExpert Martin Lewis has also published a list of free museums and galleries in the UK which can be filtered by region so you can find out opening times, plan your visit and book tickets in advance.
3. Go on a walk
It might not be as warm as it was a few months ago but, if the weather permits, getting wrapped up and going on a walk can be a great opportunity for your kids to explore the local area and, more importantly, burn some extra energy.
Your kids might not be enthusiastic at first but there are some things you can do to make the whole experience fun for everyone, such as listening to music out loud, bringing a picnic with you or taking photos of interesting plants or animals you find along the way.
There are plenty of websites out there to help you find suitable walking routes in your local area, such as AllTrails, Paths for All and NatureScot.
4. Have a movie night
There’s nothing better than a trip to the cinema to watch the latest big-screen blockbuster with your kids. But with the price of movie tickets at an all-time high and snacks an added expense, it’s an expensive day out that, during a cost of living crisis, most families simply can’t afford.
With that in mind, why not host a movie night from the comfort of your own home these school holidays? Your kids will revel in the excitement of replicating the cinema experience in their own living room and you can enjoy some quality time with your loved ones without worrying about how much it set you back.
For further savings, pick up some own-brand snacks from a budget supermarket and let your kids help themselves.
5. Visit a library
Have you exhausted your to-do list sooner than expected?
Your local library can be a great place to borrow children’s books, audiobooks, and DVDs and, during the school holidays, some host educational workshops, challenges and organised readings so you’re guaranteed to find something your little ones will love.
They are also a great source of information with a wide range of books on every topic your kid could ever dream of and resources for cheap activities in your local area, from where to get swimming lessons to when the next family-friendly event is.
To find public libraries in your local area, visit mygov.scot.
