For families, summer days out are a real pleasure. Heading off for the day to visit somewhere new, have fun doing activities while you are there, and then returning tired but satisfied after the day out.
But it can be costly too when you take into account entry fees, refreshments, and travel costs, so here are some useful suggestions for ways to save money on family days out this summer.
Here’s How to Score Some Cheap Days Out With Kids
I don’t know about you, but it gets costly amusing the kids during the school holidays – and depending on the size of your family, it may actually prevent you from enjoy days out during the summer. We want to help, and these tips for ways to save this summer on outings are sure to come in handy.
We also have lots of ideas for FREE things to do in Ireland, which are some of our favourite places that don’t cost a penny to visit and still offer lots of opportunities for family fun!
Use the Kellogg’s Grown Ups Go Free Offer
The popular promotion by Kellogg’s is back again for 2023. Adults can enjoy an experience for FREE at some of the UK & Ireland’s favourite days out – we’ve got the full details here on what venues are included, how to redeem and more.
Vouchers are valid until 30th of June 2024 so there’s plenty of time to use them.
Use Tesco Club Card Points
You can use your Tesco Clubcard to Boost for Vouchers towards other activities, travel and holidays.
At the time of writing, they had Dublin Zoo, Odeon Cinemas, and Milano restaurants in their Boost Vouchers offers.
Sign Up for a Venue’s Emails
Sign up for emails from a venue or attraction that you want to visit as they often send special offers to subscribers. Be sure to follow their social pages for possible discounts or news about special days or off peak visits too.
Check Online Before You Plan to Visit
Visiting the website for the attraction you plan to visit is always time well spent, and you may be able to save by booking online.
The attraction may also have special days with extra discounts, offers and off-peak tickets.
Avail of Reward Schemes
Many companies offer reward schemes which entitle their members to discounted tickets for days out, restaurants or entertainment venues. Check your supermarket loyalty schemes, as well as your energy, phone and insurance providers for their reward programmes.
Keep an Eye Out for Online Offers
Many online offer pages such as Living Social, Groupon, Quidco, gogroopie or Pigsback carry regular family days out discounts. It’s worth signing up to their emails too.
Consider an Annual Membership
If there’s a place that your family loves to visit, have a look at their annual membership as it will save you money over the year if you go often enough.
If you are in the UK, National Trust membership gives you access to hundreds of places to visit, as well as free parking at their sites. English Heritage also offers a good annual membership option.
Zoo Membership Can Let You Visit Other Zoos
Dublin Zoo’s annual pass also gives you entry to Fota Wildlife Park in Cork, as well as admission to four UK zoos – Edinburgh Zoo, Colchester Zoo, Twycross Zoo and Paignton Zoo – during the 12 months’ membership.
Likewise, when you become a member of some of the UK Zoos or animal parks, you often get membership and access to other zoos. For example, joining Chester Zoo gives you one exclusive free annual entry to 7 other zoos: Bristol Zoo, Colchester Zoo, Edinburgh Zoo, Newquay Zoo, Marwell Zoo, Paignton Zoo and Twycross Zoo.
Larger Family Tickets Can Help You Save
Consider the savings of a family ticket if going with a friend, rather than buying tickets separately. Some places offer family tickets with 2 adults and up to 6 kids which can help you to save on entry.
Kids Pass
If you live in or plan to visit the UK, check out Kids Pass, it offers lots of discounts off entry tickets and kids eat free deals too. They have an app for members where you can search for savings near you.
Check if Your Employer has any Employee Discounts
Check with your employer, HR dept or staff intranet. Often Staff and Social Clubs or Employee Schemes have discounted entry tickets to places near where you work.
Other Ways to Save Money on Family Days Out
- Go to lower cost places – we have put together a list of places that have entry under €40 for a family of four.
- Choose free places to visit – in Ireland, we have wonderful attractions that are completely free to visit such as our National Museum of Ireland museums.
- Visit OPW sites which offer free admission on the first Wednesday of each month.
- Look into the best transport option. Is it possible to pre-book parking at a cheaper rate? Does public transport offer a more direct and speedier alternative?
- Take a picnic and drinks with you, it will really help keep the cost of the day out down.
About the Author: Jill Holtz
