Free Things To Do With Your Kids This Summer

The summer holidays are fast approaching and I am sure many of you are already wondering how you are going to keep your kids entertained AND how you are going to afford the activities to achieve that for 6 whole weeks. Well, as somebody who doesn’t like forking out too much, I have come up with a list of free things to do with your kids this summer that will be fun for everyone!

1. Free Museums

Museums are a great place to take all ages to and we are extremely lucky to have many free ones here in the UK including the popular:

• British Museum (London): Home to the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies, this museum offers free admission to its permanent collection.
• Science Museum (London): Jam-packed with interesting exhibits and hands-on displays most of the museum is free (additional costs for interactive experiences which can be booked online).
• Natural History Museum (London): Discover dinosaurs, meteorites and a variety of natural wonders in this iconic museum.
• National Museum of Scotland (Edinburgh): From ancient artefacts to science and technology exhibits, there’s something for everyone in this fascinating museum.
• Museum of Liverpool: This museum is full of rich interactive exhibits and engaging displays.

Check to see if any of your local museums are free or if they offer an annual pass for a one-off payment as this can work out very affordable and give you something to continue doing throughout the year.

2. Visit Parks and Forests

Outdoor free play is simple, fun and can fill an entire day with exploring, games and investigation. Just going to a local park with a picnic and some ball games, art materials, books, scavenger hunt sheets etc will keep all ages happy for hours. You could also visit:

• The New Forest (Hampshire): One of the most stunning parts of the world, The New Forest provides miles of walking and cycling trails where you can spot wild ponies, play in rivers and enjoy a picnic.
• Sherwood Forest (Nottinghamshire): Home to the legendary Robin Hood, this forest offers scenic walks and the chance to explore the ancient Major Oak tree.
• Richmond Park (London): One of London’s largest parks, it’s famous for its herds of deer, beautiful landscapes and wide-open spaces perfect for picnics and games.
• Snowdonia National Park (Wales): Here you can explore the stunning landscapes, waterfalls and trails that are perfect for family hikes.

3. Outdoor Fun

There are so many free ways you can have fun outdoors this summer just in the areas near to your home including:

• Dog walks
• Bike rides
• Play areas
• Ball games
• Nature walk
• Train watching
• Skateboarding
• Rollerblading/skating
• Tennis (some recreation grounds offer free courts)
• Litter picking (I promise this is actually really good fun as well as rewarding)
• Splash pads (some parks have these open for free)
• Feed the ducks
• Go for a jog
• Go rockpooling
• Go Paddleboarding

I’m sure this list could go on and on.

4. Beach Days

A trip to the beach is a must during the summer holidays, isn’t it? As an island, we have some of the most beautiful beaches to choose from from the rugged Dorset coast to the sandy beaches of Wales, the cliffs of Yorkshire and the remarkable landscape of Cornwall; we really are spoilt for choice.

5. Community Events

Check out your local community calendar for free events such as:

• Outdoor Concerts and Movies: Many towns and cities host free outdoor concerts and movie nights during the summer.
• Farmers’ Markets: These markets often have free samples, live music and activities for kids.
• Library Programs: Public libraries frequently offer free summer reading programs, story times and craft sessions.
• Shopping Centre Events: Many shopping centres put on mini shows, activity tables, trails and interactive displays during the summer holidays.
• Free Festivals: Summer is the season of festivals from food to music, crafts and family activities, they can offer so much for a wide range of ages.

6. Play at Home

We all know that we can’t go out every single day during the 6 weeks and home days are essential to get housework done, emails replied to and for chill out time. Here are some fun and free activities to do with your kids around the home:

• Back Garden Camping: You could set up a tent in the back garden and enjoy a night under the stars. Roast marshmallows, tell stories and enjoy the great outdoors from the comfort of home.
• DIY Crafts: Use materials you have around the house for creative crafts. Make homemade playdough, paint rocks or create a scrapbook of summer memories.
• Science Experiments: Conduct simple science experiments using household items. Make a volcano with baking soda and vinegar or create a rainbow in a glass using different densities of liquids.
• Water Play: Water solves all the boredom issues so get that paddling pool out, dig out the water pistols and reusable water balloons, fill a tuff tray with water and toys and let your children go wild!
• Movie and Popcorn: Why not get the kids involved in making their own popcorn then draw all the curtains, turn out all the lights, push the sofa closer to the TV and put on a free movie on Netflix, Disney or Amazon etc. To make it extra special, make tickets for them bring to the living room and stamp them as they enter.

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7. Urban Adventures

You could explore the urban areas we have here in the UK with these free activities:

• Walking Tours: Many cities offer free walking tours that can provide a fascinating insight into the local history and culture. Check out tours in cities like London, Edinburgh and York.
• Public Art and Street Performers: Wander through areas known for their street art or enjoy the talents of street performers in busy squares or parks. The South Bank in London is a great spot.
• Botanical Gardens: Some botanical gardens offer free admission and are a great way to enjoy nature without leaving the city. Kew Gardens in London has free entry for children under 4 and Cambridge University Botanic Garden has free entry for children under 16.

8. Geocaching

This is a fantastic way of having fun, getting outside, involving the whole family and even friends during the break. Download the Geocaching app, check what is hidden around in your area or nearby and head off on a brilliant treasure hunt.

9. Outdoor Lessons

Six weeks is a long time to be off school so it is essential to keep your kid’s minds active in a variety of ways including:

• Stargazing: On a clear night, lay out a blanket and look up at the stars. You could use a free stargazing app to identify constellations and planets.
• Bird Watching: Visit a local park or forest and see how many different birds you can spot. Look for free apps or get a guidebook from the library to identify them.
• Historical Sites: Many historical sites and monuments are free to visit. They provide a hands-on history lesson and a fun day out. Examples include the ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral in Scotland and Hadrian’s Wall in northern England.

10. Join Local Conservation Groups

Most areas run at least one conservation group and children are most certainly welcome to get involved too. This is a great way of keeping active, getting outdoors, doing something rewarding and worthwhile as well as being a good opportunity to make new friends. You can check if there is a group near to you by looking on your council’s website, checking for Facebook groups, asking any green groups you may know of and so on.

Other Money Saving Tips

Some of these activities will come with small costs such as petrol, parking and public transport fees so you will need to budget for these if you are travelling a bit further afield. However, you can save money and keep costs down further by:

• Taking food, drink and snacks out with you each time
• Taking plenty of reusable water bottles which can be refilled for free at water refill stations or inside cafes/pubs etc. (they cannot refuse you)
• Taking reusable tea/coffee cups with a flask. If you cannot manage to carry a flask just take your cup and grab your drink in an establishment that offers discounts for customers with their own cup
• Take spare clothes so you are always prepared and don’t have to buy anything new if someone gets dirty, spills something and so on
• Opt to use reusable wipes rather than single-use ones. You can use, wash and reuse these, saving money as well as waste
• Look for discount codes and offers online before going out or booking – there are often great deals around during the summer holidays
• Apply for a Blue Peter Badge – badge holders can get into literally hundreds of places for free including: Chessington World of Adventures, Hampton Court Palace, The London Dungeons, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, ZSL London Zoo, Colchester Zoo, Brands Hatch Motor Racing Circuit, Home of Charles Darwin, Scotland’s Lighthouse Museum, Cromer Museum and Dan-Yr-Ogof Showcaves to name just a few – there are around 200 altogether!
• Use supermarket and store cards to get money off shopping for example Nectar Card, Boots Advantage Card, Tesco Club Card, Pets at Home VIP Card etc.
• Use cashback sites to earn money back on items you purchase
• Use free trials for things like Disney to keep the kids entertained whilst at home (just remember to cancel the subscription before payment day)
• Check out the list of free places kids can eat this summer
• Use the Olio and Good to Go apps to look for reduced food items
• Enter giveaways – there are lots to scroll through on comping websites and Facebook groups
• Look for coupons in magazines and newspapers
• Save energy at home by switching off what you don’t use, taking showers over baths and getting out the house and doing all these fab activities!! For more energy saving tips check out my blog here.

Summer holidays definitely don’t have to be expensive to be memorable. As you can see there are plenty of free activities in the UK that can be fun, educational, interactive and involve the whole family. With a bit of planning and imagination, you can create a summer full of adventures without breaking the bank.

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