School Holidays on a Budget

At-Home Adventures

You really don’t have to go far or spend a fortune to have fun! With a little imagination, home can be a hub of holiday fun and excitement:

DIY Crafts – Let’s face it, give a child a cardboard box and they’ll turn it into a spaceship, a castle and a time machine – all before lunch! You can also use recycled materials and inexpensive supplies to create themed crafts; we’re thinking paper plates, homemade cards and painted rocks.
Home Cinema Experience – Close the curtains, make popcorn and stream a family favourite. Let the kids design tickets and posters, as well as acting out the ads for the full effect!
Back Garden Camping – Enjoy the great outdoors with the comfort and convenience of a near by toilet! Pitch a tent, tell stories and toast marshmallows over a BBQ or fire pit – safely, of course!

When you need a change of scene and a break from your four walls, there’s plenty of fun to be had beyond your front door – without breaking the bank!

Parks and Nature Reserves – Why not pack a picnic and head out for a walk, bike ride or bug hunt? You could print a list of local wildlife and see how many the kids can check off the list.
Museums and Galleries – Many offer free entry and special family-friendly events during the school holidays. Money-Saving Expert, Martin Lewis, has the low down on Free UK Museums and Galleries. You can sort them by region too which is pretty handy!
Library Activities – Libraries often host free events during the school holidays including reading challenges, craft sessions and story-telling events
Heritage Trails and Scavenger Hunts - Create your own or download free printable ones online to explore your local area in a new way.

Learning isn’t just for school! You can keep young minds active with activities that are both fun and educational:

Simple Science Activities – Make a volcano, grow crystals or create a baking soda rocket using household items.
Start a Vegetable Patch – Gardening is a fantastic way to keep kids busy and engaged whilst teaching them about nature – as well as growing your own snacks! No garden? No problem! Use pots, window boxes, a balcony or windowsill. Keep the kids busy with decorating pots, naming plants and keeping a “growth journal”. You could also have friendly competitions for who can grow the biggest plant!
Build a Time Capsule – Fill it with drawings, letters and small keepsakes to open in the future.
Free Online Resources – Use platforms like YouTube, BBC Bitesize and educational apps to keep the kids engaged.

Every budget needs and deserves a treat or two! Here’s a few that still won’t derail your budgeting:

Kids Eat Free Deals - Lots of restaurants offer free meals for kids during school holidays.
Discounted / Free Cinema Tickets – Look out for early morning showings and free tickets through UK banks, insurance providers and reward programmes.
Use Loyalty Points or Vouchers – Redeem supermarket or credit card points for days out, meals and entertainment.
Ice Cream Walks – A simple walk with a promise of an ice cream treat can help keep boredom at bay!

Being a parent is an expensive business but these money saving tips might help to keep your budget on track:

Make A Plan – Planning out the school holidays will help keep control of your budget and prevent you from making last-minute and often expensive decisions
Give The Kids a Daily / Weekly Budget – Allocate them a small allowance so that they can manage their own spending. This is a great way to teach kids about budgeting and develop their money skills.
Use Local Community Groups - Facebook groups, noticeboard and apps like Nextdoor often list free events, giveaways or second-hand items.