My Top Ten Tips for Half Term on a Budget

So half term has started and though i love spending time with the kids, they get board really quickly. We are so lucky to live near a large seaside resort, Blackpool with plenty of places to go and things to do, The Tower, Sea life Center, Sandcastle, Pleasure Beach to name a few.....

But there is a catch, they are all quite expensive, especially if you have 4 kids like us, I have friends that rush to fill everyday of the holidays with various outings to various attractions, play centers and theme parks, desperate for them to have the best break ever, i know i used to do that too, when there was just one at school and a baby, yes we had some great days and yes they cost lots of money, but the strange part was when you ask your child what they enjoyed most and they say, sat on the prom eating an ice cream or travelling on the tram! So i learn't that we don't need to go to these places everyday and spend lots for the kids to have fun.

So here are my top tips for a budget friendly half term

1. Pick when you go to attractions

Most attractions have periods where they are quite and offer deals, after a few years i have got to know when these are offered and we go to most of the local ones at least once a year, but instead of going to a different one every day, make it a big day out once a holiday or on a weekend, when the price is right! This can save up to half the cost a and they are usually a bit quieter, which means less queuing time!

2. Find out what Events are on locally for Free

Visit your library, local museums, Children  Centers, Churches, parks and councils, most of these places have special family days, activity's and events in the holidays that are usually free! You can find out in advance from local "whats on" websites, free local magazines, Primary times publications handed out at schools and at the venues themselves and social media. These can be great fun for the kids and save you money.

3. Go for a walk

Going for a walk doesn't have to be boring, search online for different activity sheets for the kids to do. If you are going to a wood or forest the Woodland Trust have lots of different activity's and scavenger hunts you can print out and take with you, my kids love doing this and they are learning at the same time.

4. Take the Bus

Its easy when you drive to just get in the car and go, but kids love taking the bus, the tram or the train and if you always drive everywhere its really special for them, so if your just going to town for a look round the shops take the bus or book a train journey to somewhere near just for the fun of it!

5. Take a picnic and snacks

Food in most attractions is expensive, more so if you have a few kids, so pack a picnic and take it with you, if its the cinema or a show, take sweets, even just a walk take a flask of hot chocolate and some biscuits. If you are out for most of the day, it can mean lunch and dinner out, so i take a picnic for lunch and before we set off put something in the slow cooker for your return, that way when you are ready to come home you know dinner will be ready for you at home, instead of stopping off for a meal or takeaway when you are tired and just want to eat.

6. Get the best deal and plan ahead

Has been covered in point 1 really, but if you plan on going to the cinemas, take the kids am club £1.75 per person instead of £5 plus, at play centers buy a value pass £10 for 10 visits instead of £3.80 per child, Those are my local deals but most places offer deals, find out before you go whats available. different times can mean different prices for example Lazer Quest is 2 games for the price of 1 from 10am till 12pm as most people go in the afternoon, so plan ahead instead of turning up at places

7. Stay in

 Get the craft stuff out, get a jigsaw that's always a bit to big and do it over the course of a few days, board games or things they got as presents that haven't been touched yet ( we all have them!), have a film day, a spa day, let her do your nails and make up and you do hers,make a cake and decorate it, the possibility's are endless, sometimes its nice to just chill out and have a PJ day!

8. Play Dates

Invite a friend and her kids round or arrange to meet up somewhere, the kids will be happy to see each other and you can have a brew and a chat, or have their kids for a few hours and maybe another day they can have yours.

9. Let them Play out

Kids need to play out and these days people are not keen on letting there kids out and i understand why, but as long as you set boundary's of where they can go and when they need to come back, it doesn't have to be far or for long, kids love the freedom and meeting up with other kids near by and its good for them and for you!

10. Relax
Kids are out at schools and clubs all week, so in the holidays they get a break as well and are happy to stay in and play. Don't fill the week so you end up rushing about from one place to the next, just spending some time together relaxing is just as important and completely free!


So that is what i have learn't over the last few years i would love to hear any new ideas to help me survive the holidays without it costing the earth