Things to do in the School Holidays to save money!

Finding things to do in the school holidays to save money can often be difficult! The holidays are a time for parents to spend quality fun filled times with their children, enjoying things they don’t often get chance to do when they are at school.

It’s going to be weeks before you go back to the normality, so now is the time to make the most of it parents.

Although, I love doing nice things during the school holidays. I have to spread the extra costs out over the weeks, so I don’t fall short of having cash to do nice things every now and then!

I do this by coming up with nice things I can do at home or nearby that won’t cost the earth and often are totally fun and free.

So, lets forget that we have to refresh our children’s school stationery &  prepare for back to school for the moment! Because it’s going to be a fun filled holiday and nothing is going to stop us enjoying that at all!

I am guessing you have landed here because you have either run out of things to do in the school holidays or you just want to stack up the ideas! I don’t blame you. I often find myself running out of ideas throughout the holiday period and this year will probably be no different.

In this post I will give you some tips and ideas that will ensure your kids don’t get bored before they go back to school! with these 10 Things to do this summer for free or to save you a little money!

Firstly, make a list of all the things you would like to do in the school holidays, sit down and brainstorm places to go in your local area.

Keep in the back of your mind that anything you do choose you want to be really thinking of finding great deals. You can find plenty of offers 2 for 1 meals, free entry to venue’s, visit museums, and save money at the cinema with 2 for 1 cinema tickets.

10 Things to do things to do in the school holidays to save money!

Now let’s give you the free ideas that I was talking about earlier. Kids can be easily entertained for free at home. These simple ideas can have your holiday packed with plenty of wonderful things to do this summer. Get your notepads out parents!

1. Walking – A family walk is one of those simple pleasures in life! I can’t say we do this enough, if I am honest. Whether you live in a city or out in the sticks there is always places to explore.

I often take a camera to capture my boys doing what they do best and that’s having fun. We take a picnic and plenty of water in the summer months, which is cheap and effective. Kids love to play, bug hunt and the conversation just seems to flow. It’s such a lovely experience.

2. Playing outdoors! Kids don’t do this enough in my opinion. Let your kids go free and have a laugh with a football or a piece of chalk. Hopscotch and skipping are just some of the things that you would have done in your school holidays, it wasn’t that long ago!

There is nothing better than watching your kids walk in the house after playing out all day sweating, tired and wanting to get back outside the next day with their friends.

3. Visit a Museum. The great thing about the UK is that we have so much history. Museums are a great place to not only learn but have fun too. During the summer holidays you will find many Museums have special activities on throughout the year but especially in the holidays. You can find a museum and current activities across the UK using Culture24 activity finder.

4. Camp in your garden! I love to let the boys go outside and grab the old tent we have and set it up in the garden. You could give them a hand making the tent. Once it is erected you can go make them some food and leave them to play! Let all sleep in the tent through the night. Ok, so your neighbours might think you’re a little mad but that’s half the fun.

5. Host a mini Festival in your garden. Show your kids just how much fun a festival can be, even if it does take place in your own garden. Pitch up your tent and fill with comfy cushions, blankets and some little creature comforts. Decorate your garden with bunting (homemade is always best) and make some lovely snacks to enjoy. I enjoy getting out my chiminea and making s’mores or simply just toasting marshmallows. For extra fun and if you are feeling brave, arrange a few of your kid’s friends to join in. Make invitations with your children and send them to their friends in advance and wait for their very excited replies. Remember to make a fun music playlist for everyone to enjoy.

6.Orienteering. Have fun with a map and compass to navigate from point to point in a local woods. Orienteering is on my personal top 10 list of things to do with kids. My boys love to work together to navigate their way through our local woods, orienteering is an exciting outdoor adventure sport that offers a mental and physical challenge. You navigate using a map, which can range from very simple to something very challenging. Always remember to take some healthy snacks and lots of fluids!

7.Go hunting for crabs. If you are fortunate enough to live by the coast then crabbing is probably an activity that you regularly do. Sometimes a day at the seaside can cost a small fortune. Why not head to the coast and avoid all the arcades and go hunting for crabs instead. Some of my favourite days by the sea have been spent searching in rock pools and by harbour walls looking for crabs. Obviously we release them all before we leave to have a picnic on or by the beach.

8.Go Fly a kite.Flying a kite is great fun on a windy day. It’s also very relaxing. Have fun working together to get your kite successfully flying in the sky. Alternatively have some healthy competition and see who gets their kite the highest or who creates the best shapes and stunts.

9. Get the kids in the Kitchen. Grab the aprons and let the kids loose in the kitchen. Let them help create lunch or tea. Make something simple like Homemade healthy pizza muffins to a scrummy chocolate cake! Cooking with your kids is a great tool to give them for the future.

10. Join the Summer Reading challenge at your local Library. The Summer Reading Challenge takes place every year during the summer holidays. You can sign up at your local library, then read six library books of your choice, collecting stickers and other rewards along the way – all Free. This summer 2015, the theme is ‘Record Breakers’

I Hope you enjoyed my list of things to do in the school holidays with kids. If you have any suggestions to share with parents, I would love to hear them.