February Half Term - 5 Days of Family Fun for FREE

Children sisters in autumn coats drink hot tea in forest. little girls friends drinking water in the woods. Sisters having picnic in forest on Winter's day.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 14 February 2025

As a mother of three, I’ve spent a fortune keeping my kids entertained during the school holidays. However, being a money-saving expert for MyVoucherCodes has allowed me to discover how to make the most of half-term for less—and in this case, for free!

Many families find the February half-term challenging. After Christmas, money can still be tight, and the weather isn’t always the best. But I’ve found a way to fill five February half-term days with laughter, education, and fun.

A day at the museum

The UK is blessed with hundreds of museums, many of which are free of charge. www.whichmuseums.co.uk is the perfect place to find which museums are near you and what they offer. Many museums have additional activities available throughout the school holidays too - so you can make the most of your day out.

Keep any additional spending to a minimum, plan and take snacks and a packed lunch with you. Although entry is free, there are usually overpriced cafes and restaurants on-site. If your kids are anything like mine, they are always hungry and need snacks, remember to fill a backpack with supplies!

The beach isn’t just for Summer

My kids love a trip to the beach, which is great because it’s free! We aren’t put off by the weather either - the beach is full of adventure all year. The UK is blessed with a beautiful coastline and the chances are there is one within driving distance wherever you are.

Younger children will love scavenger hunts, looking for treasure and exploring. Rock pools and caves provide hours of fun. If you have older children it’s a great opportunity to chat and reconnect, although my older kids still love looking for treasure too. The fresh sea air will wear everyone out, so remember to pop a flask and some sweet treats in the car for later. And don’t forget to pack some cosy blankets for warming up on a chilly day.

Free National Trust Pass

The National Trust is home to a plethora of historic houses, castles, coastlines and outdoor countryside around the UK. During half term the National Trust also provide activities and nature trails are various locations, so it’s worth checking out what’s available near you. You can get a free National Trust pass for up to 2 adults and 3 children by picking up a copy of the Daily Mirror up until January 26th for your free pass. Your free pass can be used until the 14th of March 2025. Check the Daily Mirror online for more information.

If you don’t manage to get a free pass there are still National Trust outside spaces that are always free - you can see which ones on the National Trust website. Here’s a reminder to take that packed lunch again, as I’ve found National Trust Cafes to be a pricey experience.

Kings and Queens of the Castle

The UK is blanketed by hundreds of castles, over 4000 in fact! Although not all are free, some of them are. A quick Google search will help you find which castles are near you and which ones are free. My kids have always loved castle ruins, especially as it gives them free rein to run around and explore. It’s a good opportunity to let imaginations run wild too, what would the castle have looked like years ago? Who lived there? And did they have to fight off numerous dragons? All very important questions and a whole lot of fun. Why not raid the dressing-up box before you leave - what’s a castle without its king and queen after all?!

Discover New Play Parks

A trip to the park has always been a big hit with my kids. Instead of revisiting the same park you usually do, try and find another in your area or a short trip away. A change of scenery can be just the ticket when you need to get out and about on a budget!

Make this trip even better with a treasure hunt or add some simple games for rewards. My kids used to love the ‘mini-Olympics’ and it makes the time at the park feel like an event. This is a great option when you are short of time too - even an hour at the park will break up the day and tire out the kids ready for bedtime.

Hi, I’m SJ. I’m the Beauty Editor and PR Executive here at MyVoucherCodes. As a qualified make-up artist, I've been able to share my knowledge on all things beauty and skincare with our readers so they not only look good and feel great, but save money. As a mum of three, I understand the challenges that families face, and making budgets go further is something I feel passionately about. My research and recommendations help families of all sizes shop better allowing them to enjoy the little luxuries in life. My work has been featured in many publications including The Sun, The Mirror, Netmums, and The Telegraph.

Outside of MyVoucherCodes, I'm a writer and interviewer for pop culture magazines like Buzz Magazine. I've chatted to celebrities such as Strictly's Johannes Redebe and poet Kae Tempest. It's certainly one of the best parts of my job. Over the years I've built a portfolio of work that shows the diversity of my writing, which gives me a breadth of knowledge and experience that I apply to my work every day.