Now is about that time in the school holidays when parents may well be tearing their hair out trying to come up with new ways to keep the kids entertained day in and day out.
Luckily we’ve got some great, not to mention cost-saving, ideas to take you right through to the start of the new term.
Soak up some culture:
Have a scout around for free entry museums, galleries and other local attractions and remember that cinemas are often cheaper to visit during the day. Our top picks include:
- Cardiff - St Fagans: National History Museum, CF5 6XB
- Leeds - Leeds Art Gallery, Carlisle Road, LS10 1LB
- Liverpool - Liverpool Central Library, William Brown Street, L3 8EN
- Manchester - the Museum of Science and Industry, Liverpool Road, Castlefield, M3 4FP
- Milton Keynes - the Roman Villa at Bancroft
- Northampton -Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, 4-6 Guildhall Road, NN1 1DP
- Nottingham - Stonebridge City Farm, Stonebridge Road, St Anns, NG3 2FR
At home:
There are also lots of activities that can be done at home for little or no cost. Making dens, dressing up, blowing giant bubbles, baking, making musical instruments, egg painting; the possibilities are endless. Write your ideas down on pieces of paper, do a daily lucky dip, and give the kids something fun to look forward every day.
Last minute holiday:
Save money on travel. If you’re going abroad, the most expensive part of the holiday is getting there. If you can avoid flying out on Fridays and Saturdays, it will make a real difference. According to Which? the average Tuesday flight is 35% cheaper than a Friday and return flights on a Sunday can cost up to 45% more.
If you’re staying in the UK and getting the train, don’t leave it until the last minute to get your tickets. By booking in advance, you could make a substantial saving. By getting a £30 Family and Friends Railcard, you’ll save a third on adult fares and 60% on children’s fares, meaning it could pay for itself in one trip.
If you’re heading overseas, keep your eye on exchange rates. The fluctuations in the value of the pound can be dramatic and could make a real difference to the sort of holiday you can afford and the amount of spending money you can take. If the rate goes in your favour, bite the bullet and get your currency early as you might not get the chance again.
Dine for half price:
Alternatively, come along to Red Hot, where we’re offering kids aged 16 and under the chance to dine for half price throughout the summer. This means that they can eat all the pizza, pasta, curry, salads, desserts and ice cream they desire from as little as £3.99 (prices vary according to restaurant, day and time). This amazing offer is only redeemable via redhot-worldbuffet.com/summer until the end of August.