We know it can be costly keeping kids entertained, so we’ve pulled together 10 ideas that won’t break the bank. Here are 10 diverting days out with the kids for under a tenner per person.
If you’re looking for low-cost or free options for days out with the kids, hopefully this list will help inspire you.
You may also enjoy: 100 Free Fun Things to Do with Kids in Ireland
Days Out With The Kids for Under a Tenner (Per Person)
#1. Go for a Picnic
Pack up a picnic (here’s our Perfect Picnic Checklist) and head off for the day with the kids. We love to picnic in different places — the beach, a park, a forest, by a river. (Stay safe near water with kids.)
Many attractions also have picnic areas on their grounds, so even if you can’t afford to pay to go inside, you can still enjoy some of the setting.
Bring along some outdoor games to play after food — rounders, a kite, or a ball for a game of DONKEY or football. You could also plan a scavenger hunt for extra fun.
You may also enjoy: 20 Great Childhood Games
#2. Go on a Town or City Walking Tour
Search online for a free (or low-cost) walking tour of your area or a nearby town or city. Several travel sites and apps offer free audio-guided walks for towns and cities around the world, so it’s worth a quick search for your area.
If you can’t find anything for your neck of the woods, turn it into a fun activity by creating your own walking tour with the kids. Use an online map, pick out landmarks, and plan a loop route. Take a pen and notepad with you the first time and see what you discover along the way.
Why not try our fun Alphabet Hunt while you’re out walking?
#3. Head to the Beach
Unless the weather is truly atrocious, the beach makes a great outing any time of year. It’s actually easier in winter, since you won’t be swimming or paddling but can still enjoy everything else.
There’s so much to keep kids amused, from beachcombing to building sandcastles to making a mermaid out of stones, shells and seaweed.
Why not finish the day with an ice cream on the way back to the car?
Here are ideas for 50 interesting things to do at the beach with kids, and our Beach Scavenger Hunt is fun to try too. Check our Summer Beach Checklist before you go, to save a few trips back into the house.
Top tips: bring towels (even a winter beach visit can end with wet, sandy hands), talc for easy sand removal from feet, and wet wipes for cleaning up before you climb back in the car.
#4. Visit a Museum or Art Gallery
Many museums and galleries are free to visit, and even the ones that charge often have free or “pay what you wish” days.
Most people have never visited their own local museum — we tend not to be tourists in our own towns and cities. Take a visit and you might be pleasantly surprised by what you find, from quirky local history to hands-on exhibits and dressing-up corners for kids.
#5. Books and Babychinos
You might be used to visiting your local library regularly, but how about trying a different branch for a change? Or if it’s been a while since your last library visit, make that the focus of an outing — kids are often surprised at how much they enjoy exploring a library, especially one they haven’t been to before.
We usually combine a library visit with a trip to a nearby café for a hot chocolate or babychino afterwards, for a very low-cost outing.
The great thing about libraries today is that most are genuinely child-friendly, with dedicated children’s sections and free or low-cost workshops and activities, especially during school holidays. Check with your library about storytelling sessions or other events for younger children.
Tip: Set expectations before you go into the café and plan your timing so the kids aren’t too hungry — or share a big slice of cake between you — to keep the bill down.
You may also enjoy: 10 of the Most Highly Recommended Books for Kids by Age
#6. Go Geocaching
If you’ve never heard of it before, geocaching is a modern-day treasure hunt.
Using a GPS-enabled device or a smartphone map app, you go hunting for hidden caches. Geocaching websites and apps let you search for caches near you, with coordinates and a clue to help you locate each one.
Pack a picnic and choose a cache located along a trail or in a park to turn it into a full outing.
#7. Go for a Forest Walk
Look for a forest park near you with walkways, woodland paths and nature trails. Head out for the day with a picnic, and bring scooters or bikes along too if there are cycle paths.
Why not try our Nature Scavenger Hunt while you’re out in the forest? Here are 15 fun nature activities for kids to get them spotting wildlife and tracking trails. And have you ever measured a tree?
You may also enjoy: 35 Exciting Books for Curious Kids to Learn About Nature
#8. Go Swimming
Your local pool will usually have family swim sessions that make a low-cost outing. It’s also worth checking online for offers on bigger water play centres — deal sites regularly run discounts on family attractions.
Pack the swim bag, plus a separate bag of drinks and snacks for post-swim munchies.
#9. Go to the Movies
Check whether your local cinema runs a kids’ club for low-cost movie watching, or offers a cheaper deal for the first showing of the day at weekends.
If you work for a larger company, it’s worth checking with your staff social club, as some offer discounted cinema tickets as a benefit.
Sneaky tip: tuck a packet of sweets and a water bottle into your bag to keep snack costs down, and share a small or medium popcorn between you.
#10. Ride on Public Transport
Not every family gets to ride a bus, tram or train often — especially if you live somewhere rural — so when the chance comes up, it’s a genuine novelty for kids.
Many transport companies offer family day-saver tickets aimed at day trips, so consider heading off to explore, or riding a bus, tram or underground line from end to end just for the fun of it.
More Tips for Saving Money
1. Keep an eye out for 2-for-1 and kids-go-free offers online and in local listings.
2. Buy entry tickets online where possible — many attractions offer a discount for booking ahead.
3. If you collect loyalty points through your weekly shop, check whether your provider offers reduced or free admission to attractions.
4. In Ireland, an annual pass to Irish Heritage sites can be worthwhile if you visit regularly. In the UK, heritage membership schemes such as the National Trust or English Heritage work the same way — an annual fee gives free entry and parking at hundreds of locations.
5. Make a portable lunch at home to cut down on food and drink costs when you’re out.
6. Give the kids a spending limit for gift shops before you arrive.
Have you got suggestions for days out with the kids that don’t cost the earth? Share them with us in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s a good budget for a family day out?
It varies by family and activity, but every idea on this list is designed to cost under a tenner per person, including simple extras like snacks or an ice cream.
What are the cheapest days out with kids?
Free or near-free options like picnics, beach days, library visits, forest walks and local museums are usually the cheapest, since the main cost is just transport and snacks.
How can I find free family activities near me?
Check your local library, council website and tourist information office for free events, and look out for “pay what you wish” days at museums and galleries.
Is geocaching free to try?
Getting started with geocaching typically only costs whatever you’d spend on a smartphone data connection or a basic GPS device you may already own — the caches themselves are free to find.
You Might Also Like
- 100 Free Fun Things to Do with Kids in Ireland
- 50 Interesting Things to Do at the Beach with Kids
- 20 Great Childhood Games
- 15 Fun Nature Activities for Kids
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