As an active hands-on mum in the UK, you are probably always keen to learn about fun activities and days out that you can treat the kids to. When the time arises, you don’t want to suggest a day out only to have your plans foiled by potential high prices. It’s better to be prepared with a list of viable options. If you are planning a weekend away with the kids, don’t dip into your savings. Instead, opt for a quick small loan to cover the weekend; one that you can pay back quickly. There are also plenty of things that you can do on the cheap or for free in the UK with the kids.
Fun things to do with kids for free or on the cheap in the UK
While saving money on days out is obviously a number 1 goal, not having to pay at all for a day out is most certainly first prize. Below is a list of 10 things you can do with the kids for free or for very little money – and make a whole day of it.
- Windsor Castle – World Book Day – Every Saturday.
Every Saturday there’s story time hosted by Olivia Armstrong at Windsor Castle. Stories from the Royal Library are shared and then children are invited to get involved in a variety of workshops and activities that are book related. This event will keep the kids entertained for several hours and, best of all, it’s absolutely free.
- Spend Some Time at Local Museums & Galleries.
The Guardian compiled a list of the 20 top museums and galleries in the UK that are absolutely free to visit. Spending some time in these museums and galleries can really add value to your life and your family’s. You can consult with The Guardian’s list to find museums and galleries near you.
- Head to Your Local Library.
Pay a visit to your local library’s website or give them a call to find out about children’s activities and events that they might be running. Most libraries across the UK put in a great deal of effort to offer free kids activities, face painting, and story-telling.
- Get Active in the Local Park.
Parks aren’t hard to find all across the UK. If the weather’s good, head to the local park with a blanket, picnic basket, and various activity toys for the kids. Think about baseball sets, soccer balls, Frisbees, and similar. If you have a family dog, bring them along. Best of all – a trip to the park will only cost you your time.
- Get Fit Together.
Happy families get fit together – it’s true! You will find that there are weekly Park Runs held in your very area. Park Run is a world-wide event for both adults and kids. Park Run events are 5km long. Participants can start out walking and as their fitness levels progress, can move on to running. The best news is that there is a real family atmosphere at Park Run events. Of course, Park Run is free for everyone.
- Be London Tourists.
As locals, there’s no need to pay high tourist fees to visit tourist attractions. Treat the kids to a day of being “cheap tourists” in London. Take along a camera and let everyone snap a few shots. You can use the pictures you take as another idea for a family day – scrapbooking! Some attractions you can swing by or catch a glimpse of without having to go in and pay a fee include: London Eye, Big Ben, and Epping Forest, to name a few.
- Hop on a Tour Bus.
What could be more fun than hopping on a tour bus and enjoying a trip around historical London? If you have a travel card, you can use that, but if you don’t, you will have to pay a small fee. Don’t worry though; you won’t need to take out a loan to pay for it! Some say that the Number 11 central London bus is a great option because it goes past Sloane Square, Westminster, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, and St Paul’s Cathedral. This could be the perfect history lesson for you and the kids.
- Visit an Animal Sanctuary.
Animal sanctuaries across the United Kingdom are designed to be free or affordable for visitors keen to visit. There are many animal sanctuaries across the UK and, if you have kids, you might want your children to have the exposure to animals and learn about treating animals with kindness and care. You can view a list of UK animal sanctuaries here.
- Go Fly a Kite.
The UK is blessed with many open spaces that are perfect for kite flying. You can buy cheap kites online or in stores for the kids, but there’s also the option of making your own. Browse online for kite templates for the kids to make their own and then, once they are created, head off to an open space to see whose flies the best. Flying kites is almost free – you might have to pay for the kites if you buy them or pay for the printing if you decide to make your own.
- Visit a Theme Park.
According to The Independent, the UK has at least 10 amusement parks worth spending the day at. Take the time to suss out each of the options and pick one that’s going to suit your budget and travel options. If you are worried about affording tickets and meals for the day, applying for a quick small loan might be the answer. These loans are typically paid out within 24 hours and are for small amounts of up to 5,000 pounds. Best of all, these types of loans are often granted for individuals with a less than perfect credit score too.
Last Word
A fun day out with the family doesn’t have to break the bank. Use the above suggestions if you want to enjoy quality time with the family, without burning a hole in your pocket.
This is a collaborative post.