Head to your local park, woods, or even your own back garden and create a nature scavenger hunt. Make a list of things for your children to find — like pine cones, feathers, ladybirds, or certain types of leaves.
🟢 Cost: Free
🌿 Top tip: Print or make your own checklist to add an educational twist.
Many museums and galleries across the UK are free to enter, and often run family-friendly workshops or trails during school holidays.
🟢 Cost: Free or low-cost
🏛️ Top picks:
- Natural History Museum (London)
- The National Railway Museum (York)
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum (Glasgow)
- National Museum Cardiff
Raid your recycling bin and craft box for materials and let the kids’ imaginations run wild. Make rockets from toilet roll tubes, paint rocks, or create collages from old magazines.
🟢 Cost: Free / cheap
🎨 Bonus idea: Host a 'mini art gallery' at home and display their creations!
Sometimes a change of scenery is all you need. Visit a nearby beach, park, canal path or beauty spot and bring lunch with you. No need for expensive food stalls or cafes.
🟢 Cost: Travel and food only
🚗 Tip: Use apps like National Trust or English Heritage to find nearby places — some sites are free or offer discounted family entry.
Turn your living room into a cinema. Let the kids make 'tickets', choose the movie, and snuggle up with homemade popcorn. You can even build a blanket fort for added fun.
🟢 Cost: Free (especially with a streaming subscription)
🎬 Fun add-on: Have a themed snack menu!
If you haven’t tried geocaching yet, now’s the time. It’s like a digital treasure hunt using a smartphone and a free app. There are thousands of geocaches hidden across the UK.
🟢 Cost: Free
📍 Great for: Adventurous families and older kids
Pitch a tent in your garden or create an indoor version with sheets and fairy lights. Bring out the sleeping bags, tell stories, and enjoy a change of scenery without leaving home.
🟢 Cost: Free (if you have the kit)
🔥 Optional: Toast marshmallows over a safe BBQ or camp stove.
Check local council websites or community boards for free events happening during half term. Many towns host free festivals, outdoor performances, or craft workshops.
🟢 Cost: Usually free or donation-based
🎡 Examples: Street fairs, family fun days, library activities
The best memories are often made in simple moments — laughing during a movie, climbing trees, or discovering something new. You don’t need to spend a fortune to have fun this half term.
So pack some snacks, grab your raincoats (this is the UK, after all!), and enjoy a week of family fun on a budget.
