Even with typical British weather, you can do plenty of fun things on a budget with friends or with all the family.
From theme parks and attractions to museums or exploring nature - all on a budget, we look at ideas and tips on how you can have great days out without breaking the bank.
Cheaper theme park
It's no secret that a day out to a theme park is expensive, but you can seriously cut costs. To save, it's always best to book in advance, and the easiest way is to use a theme park discount code to save money.There are a few other options if you have more time.Suggest your child applies for a Blue Peter badge which gets them free entry to over 200 attractions across the county.
It can take weeks for a badge to arrive once you've applied, so be sure to apply well ahead of when you plan a day out.
When shopping for groceries, keep an eye out for chocolate bars, cereals and even soap which could have a 2 for 1 ticket offer. These items are branded, so it will increase how much you spend on your weekly food shop.
You could also swap any saved loyalty points towards family activities and attractions. Take a look at the Nectar and Clubcard sites for their latest deals which can get you up to three times your points' face value.
Discover a new experience
Find something new to do that you or the kids will love. Have a hunt for hundreds of activities, from a relaxed afternoon tea to an adrenaline-filled car ride.Get a great day out that you'll remember forever for far cheaper by using an experience day voucher offer to get up to 50% off discounts with providers such as
Red Letter Days or
Virgin Experience Days.
Cheap days out with the National Trust
Each time you plan a family day out, instead of hunting online for something to do, the
National Trust might just tick every box. With a low-cost monthly membership, you get access to over 500 historic houses, parks and gardens in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which will take you years to visit them all! As a member, you also get free parking at each location, so you never need to worry about adding additional costs to your family days out.
Bargains when you travel by train
If you're planning to travel to your destination by National Rail, you can get 2 for 1 on so many things!With BOGOF entry to top attractions in London, including the London Eye, Kew Gardens and Madame Tussauds, with more locations across the whole of Great Britain. To claim the offer, print a voucher from Days Out Guide or book online to guarantee entry, travel by train, and show your voucher and ticket to get cheap admission.
Head outdoors
We're lucky that you don't need to travel far to discover so much on our doorstep in the UK.Head in one direction towards the coast. Grab a bucket and space for the beach or crabbing nets for rock pools, and you've got hours of fun by the seaside. However, head in a different direction, and you've got endless walks, lakes, and woodland to explore.If you worry you'll get bored, download the free Geocaching app and try GPS treasure hunting while you're exploring.
Visit a museum or gallery
There is a wealth of museums and art galleries across the country - and a lot of them are absolutely free (although, as charities, they appreciate a donation). Some of my favourites include the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, the Science Museum in London and the National Railway Museum in York.As well as being entertained for hours, there is something to learn, and most museums have hands-on activities to keep children engaged.
Free local activities
Take a look at your local council's and libraries' Facebook or Twitter pages, and search their website, and you may well be surprised by what you find.Most councils provide entertainment and free activities for kids and families, particularly over the long summer holidays and all the shorter breaks in between.From arts and craft sessions, walking tours, street art and more, it's definitely worth looking into details of what's happening directly on your doorstep.
