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There's no getting around it: the summer holidays are a long time to keep the kids entertained. Waking up every morning for six weeks and hearing the dreaded words “what are we doing today?” And by the time you've added up the days out, lunches, ice creams and impromptu treats, the cost doesn’t half mount up. The pressure to fill their days with non-stop thrills can be overwhelming.
But before you blow all your pennies on zip wires and carnival rides, take a moment to think. People were entertaining children long before water parks and immersive cinemas came along, and some of the best family memories still involve rope swings over rivers and cheating at Monopoly. If you do fancy a bigger day out, though, planning ahead and checking your Blue Light Card first can help make your budget go further.
Here are some great affordable things to do with the kids this summer, whatever the weather decides to do.
Family days out like theme parks, zoos, aquariums and wildlife parks are always a hit with kids, and often have weatherproof options, so you don’t even need to wait for a sunny day. You can also make things more manageable by planning ahead.
Booking online in advance can often save 10 to 30% compared with paying on the door. It’s also good to check if you’re allowed to take your own drinks and snacks before you go, in case you want to bring a packed lunch.
Kids won’t notice whether you forked out for all the added extras. They’ll remember screaming on the log flume or seeing a red panda for the first time. Check out discounts at Twycross Zoo or Alton Towers Resort.
Historic sites are as much about imagination as they are about education. Through a child’s eyes, stone ruins become a maze of secret passageways, populated by dragons and knights. A historic house or Roman fort can easily fill half a day, especially if there are demonstrations to see or activities to get stuck into.
Lots of these historic sites also have extensive grounds, so children can burn off some energy in between the history.
If you’re visiting during a school holiday, plan to be there during special events. Things like historical re-enactments and craft workshops are often included in the admission price. Visit over 400 castles and monuments with English Heritage.
Getting elbow-deep in a bit of farm life is a lovely learning experience, and feeding goats or picking strawberries can comfortably take up a morning. Petting farms tend to charge around £5 to £15 per child, while pick-your-own fruit places are often free to enter; you pay for what you’ve picked at the end (just don’t let them weigh your children before and after). Arrive early in the day for cooler temperatures and shorter queues and bring your own food and drink to keep costs down.
If the weather’s taken a turn for the worse or you’re looking for shelter inside from our recent heatwaves, museums are a great place to spend some time inside with the kids. And, best of all, lots of the UK's national museums, including the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and National Railway Museum, are free to enter – although donations are of course always welcome. Check the website before you go, as lots of museums provide free downloadable treasure hunts or have interactive, hands-on exhibitions for kids over the summer to encourage children to explore at their own pace.
If you're planning to visit a museum with an entry fee, have a look at the Blue Light Card Things To Do offers first. Members can access savings on a wide range of indoor family attractions across the UK, such as SEA LIFE Centres where you can dive deep into the wonders of the ocean.
If the weather’s OK and you have a safe outdoor space, an obstacle course is a fun way for kids to burn off energy while encouraging creativity and teamwork. You supply the materials and they come up with their own obstacles. Think: cushions to jump over, sheets to crawl under, ‘floor is lava’ sections, and hopscotch-inspired instructions on the ground. Set a timer for a bit of healthy competition.
Use things you already have lying around, and if you need a few extras like cones, beanbags or chalk, you can usually pick them up for under £10. On particularly hot days, introduce a hosepipe or water balloons for an element of watery chaos (and an excuse to cool down). You’ll be able to find useful items for the garden at The Range.
Summer is the perfect time to get the kids into a new sport. Watching the World Cup might have sparked a football obsession, or two weeks of Wimbledon might have them eyeing up a new tennis racket. The good news? Both are easy to start and won’t cost a fortune.
For football, all you need is a ball and goalposts – jumpers, cones, anything that’ll stay put if it’s windy. For tennis, lots of local parks have free or low-cost courts, so it’s worth having a look at what’s nearby.
Save on sports shoes and leisurewear at JD Sports, so the kids are kitted out like a pro.
You don’t have to drive miles to a major attraction to make special memories. Think about places close to home that you've never quite got around to visiting. Maybe even take a look at a map: is there a nature reserve, deer park or interesting local building you've driven past dozens of times?
Children see the world differently to adults; fallen trees become pirate ships. An overgrown ruin might just house a friendly witch. Buy a cheap camera or lend them an old phone to capture interesting things they spot along the way. You’ll enjoy experiencing the world through their eyes later, when you go through the photos together.
Indoor activities aren’t just for rainy days, either. Cinemas often have good air conditioning, and lots run family screenings during the school holidays from around £3 to £6 per ticket. Treat yourself to a large popcorn and Tango Ice Blast this summer. It’s now easier than ever to get discounts for cinema tickets, food and drink, so check out Blue Light Card Cinema Deals before you book.
It’s always tempting to cut corners during the holidays and head to the nearest café. But homemade picnics are a delight – and much more affordable. A picnic you’ve whipped up at home for a family of four can easily cost £10 to £15, compared with £40 to £50 for lunch at an overpriced visitor attraction. You can even get the children involved in the food prep. Set them off making sandwiches and embrace the mess. Blimey, why not even get them baking something simple? It could save you shelling out for a meal that the little ones will fuss over in any case.
Pack a blanket and some simple art supplies and head to a local park, woodland or beach. Throw in a football and Top Trumps cards – or whatever your kids are into at the moment – and you’re on track for a lazy, screen-free afternoon.
If you decide to grab some snacks on the way, you can definitely save on your supermarket shop with a Blue Light Shopping Card.
British summers don’t always lend themselves to outdoor activities. Cabin fever can set in fast, but don’t give up and drag the family out for a bike ride in a thunderstorm. There are lots of low-cost activities you can do without leaving the house.
If you’re feeling creative, why not design a treasure hunt, with clues hidden all around the house? There are websites where you can download clues for free but it’s just as fun to make up your own. A den made from blankets and cushions is a classic; you could even put up a proper tent indoors if you have space (don’t worry, it isn’t bad luck). If you’re a family who enjoys cooking and you’ve got some ingredients to use up, have a TV-style baking competition and see who the next Gordon Ramsay is. Younger children can spend hours happily dressing up with whatever’s in the bottom of your wardrobe or working on some printed-out colouring pages. There are lots you can download for free and it’s a great mindfulness activity.
Blue Light Card members can get money off board games and toys at retailers like The Entertainer.
These summer holiday activities don’t have to cost a fortune. You can keep children entertained for six weeks without stuffing every day full of expensive activities. For kids, the makeshift games you set up at home will be remembered just as fondly as the big day out at the wildlife park.
Plan ahead, take a picnic and make the most of available discounts. If you’re booking attractions, restaurants or entertainment, remember to have a look at Blue Light Card first. Members can access savings on hundreds of family days out across the UK.
Many of the best free summer holiday activities involve getting outdoors. Local parks, nature reserves, beaches, woodland walks, scavenger hunts and garden obstacle courses all keep children busy without costing anything. Free museums and community events can also be great options for family days out.
Simple activities at home can be really fun. Baking together, creating treasure hunts, building dens, exploring local green spaces and organising family games all keep children entertained while encouraging creativity and family time. Planning a mix of home-based activities and low-cost local outings can help avoid holiday boredom without overspending.
Museums, historic sites, wildlife parks, bowling centres and local attractions can all offer good value, especially if you book in advance or make use of available discounts. Taking your own food and drinks can also help reduce the cost of family days out in the UK.
Rainy-day activities for kids don't have to be expensive. Indoor treasure hunts, den building, arts and crafts, baking, board games and family film afternoons are all great ways to stay entertained when the weather isn't cooperating.
Blue Light Card members can access savings on a wide range of family attractions, restaurants, cinemas and entertainment across the UK. Check the latest offers before booking to see whether you can save money on your next family day out.
