Cheap Days Out with Kids

School holidays are expensive largely because the default options are expensive. A little planning turns that around, and children are frequently happier with the cheap options anyway.

The genuinely free things

National museums and galleries

Permanent collections at national museums across the UK are generally free to enter. Natural history, science, transport, maritime and art collections all fall into this category, and many run free children’s activities and trails during holidays.

A suggested donation is exactly that — give what you can, including nothing.

Parks, woodland and beaches

Forestry England, Forestry and Land Scotland, Natural Resources Wales and the Woodland Trust manage large amounts of accessible land, mostly free to walk in (parking sometimes charged). Beaches are free. Local nature reserves are free.

Add a purpose — a scavenger hunt, geocaching, rock pooling, bug hunting — and a walk becomes an event.

Libraries

Consistently the most underused resource. Free membership gives books, and usually free audiobooks and ebooks through library apps. During holidays most run free events, reading challenges and craft sessions. Some lend out passes, tools, and even museum tickets.

Local council programmes

Councils and leisure trusts often run free or heavily subsidised holiday activities, including holiday food and activity programmes for eligible families. Check your council’s website — these are frequently undersubscribed simply because people do not know.

Making paid attractions cheap

• Two-for-one rail offers. Travelling by train to many major attractions unlocks two-for-one entry through long-running promotional schemes. Check the terms — you generally need a valid rail ticket and a printed or downloaded voucher.
• Supermarket loyalty schemes. Several let you convert points into attraction entry at an enhanced rate, often multiplying their cash value considerably. If you have points sitting unused, this is usually the best use of them.
• Newspaper and cereal promotions. Token collection schemes for theme parks and attractions run regularly.
• Book online, in advance. Gate prices are routinely higher than advance online prices, sometimes substantially.
• Annual passes. If you would visit somewhere three or more times, a membership often pays for itself — National Trust, English Heritage, zoos and local attractions all work this way. Check whether it covers a whole family and whether parking is included.
• Off-peak and late entry. Many attractions discount afternoon entry or quieter days.
• Check for a Blue Light Card, student, or employee benefits discount before paying full price.

Cutting the surrounding costs

Entry is often not the main expense. The extras are.

• Take a picnic. Almost every attraction allows it, and on-site catering is where the margin is.
• Take refillable water bottles.
• Agree the gift shop rule before you arrive. A fixed amount each, decided in advance, avoids the argument at the exit.
• Pre-book parking or use public transport where it is cheaper.
• Bring your own snacks for the journey.

Cheap standbys that work

• Cinema. Weekday morning kids’ screenings during holidays run at a very low fixed price at most major chains.
• Swimming. Many councils offer free or reduced swimming for children during holidays.
• Soft play and leisure centres at off-peak times.
• Pick your own farms in season — an activity and food in one.
• Open days. Fire stations, farms, heritage railways and airfields run free open days, and Heritage Open Days opens buildings that normally charge.
• Free festivals and events listed on your council’s what’s-on page.

The honest part

Children mostly remember attention rather than expenditure. A day building a den in the woods, baking, or playing football in the park competes surprisingly well with an expensive attraction, and nobody spends the afternoon queueing.

Plan one paid day and fill the rest with free ones. The holidays stop being a financial event.