It’s not just in Parliament where talk of Budget is rife, as millions of parents aim to entertain their kids during half term without spending a fortune.

Whether it is deals on days out or creative activities to keep the family busy, there are plenty of cost-effective options available.

Lynn Beatie, the personal finance expert also known as Mrs Mummypenny, has shared her top tips if you are a parent looking to save some cash this half term.

She said: “First, set a budget. Knowing how much you can afford to spend will help you make better decisions. As a family, create a list of potential activities you’d like to do, including a breakdown of entry fees, travel, food and any extra costs.

“Planning ahead allows you to look for deals and discounts, ensuring you get the best value for your money.”

Here are the half term money-saving hacks:

Sponsored

Wellness and wellbeing holidays: Travel insurance is essential for your peace of mind

Out of the pandemic lockdowns, there’s a greater emphasis on wellbeing and wellness, with

Sponsored by Post Office

Domestic day out discounts

National Rail is offering two-for-one deals on various days out, including a Family Fireworks Day at Ascot and a half term trail at Winkworth Arboretum.

Vouchercloud has lots of deals available, including savings on Odeon cinemas, Edinburgh Zoo and more with Kids Pass.

Free museum or art gallery

There are many free museums and galleries to visit around the country – don’t forget to check out local museums, as these are a great way to understand the history of the city, town or area that you live in.

My favourite museum is the Victoria & Albert (V&A) in London. Most of the V&A is free and you can easily spend hours there. Other museums in the capital that are especially good for family activities and half term workshops include the London Transport Museum, the Horniman Museum and Gallery and the Cartoon Museum. Take packed lunches with you to save more.

Save on family days out with membership club discounts

Attractions aimed at all the family can be expensive, but luckily there are ways to lower those entry fees. Boundless membership, available to those working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, includes unlimited access to WWT wetland centres across the country (see what activities are taking place at their nature reserves this half term), as well as annual membership of Kids Pass, with loads of discounts on days out and UK attractions, and unlimited access to Kew Gardens and Wakehurst.

Both sites are stunning throughout the year, but particularly worth visiting in autumn to see the trees changing colour.

Plan some creative activities at home

Beattie said: “You don’t always need to go out to have fun – crafts and movie marathons can be just as enjoyable as a day out and often cost very little. You can even turn it into a themed day – how about a pirate adventure with homemade costumes and a treasure hunt?”

She added: “This year, Halloween falls during the October half term and is a great opportunity to make your own spooky costumes, decorations and games. Children of all ages tend to love simple activities such as pumpkin-carving or painting, bobbing for apples or crafting their own witch’s hat to wear trick-or-treating.”

Grab an apron and get baking

Baking is one of our household favourites, with Halloween-themed baking top of the list this year. There are lots of simple recipes to get children inspired in the kitchen. Beattie recommends ‘a batch of bewitching bakes’ from BBC Good Food – so kids can get inspired and decorate biscuits and cakes too.

Save on cinema trips on rainy days

The cinema is a good bet when the weather inevitably turns. Be sure to check if your local cinema does half term discounts. Vue cinemas run ‘Mighty Mornings’ on weekends and during school holidays, with tickets at just £2.49 for children aged 4-11 and an accompanying adult.





Source link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *