To feel bad I can't afford to take my kids out during half term?

[OneTiredMam]

My DC are due to start half term today and I'm dreading it.
With all the price increases, I'm struggling to put money on my electric/gas meters and have enough food shopping in let alone take them out for a nice day out to break up half term.
We could afford it before the price increases but it's really beginning to hit and I feel so guilty there going to go back to school to say "we haven't done anything." They don't play out (reasons to outting to post), and we don't have any family near by with kids.

Any ideas how I can make it fun for them but for free? And how not to loose my sanity being stuck in all week please.

Do they have bikes? During lockdown I put their bikes in the living room and 'chocked' the back wheels up using cushions and books so they could pedal but not move, then I put "cycling tours" on YouTube and off they went. They went on cycling tours of Paris, Vegas, New York, Amsterdam.

@Hospedia

Also, it's a bit niche, but right now my DC are massively into "how things work" so I've gotten some old electricals from Freecycle that were being advertised as broken/spare parts only. They have a microwave, a hoover, and a really old box-style television. I'm going to let them in the back garden with some tools (under supervision for the littlest DC) and let them take them apart. They can then use the parts for other things (eldest likes doing experiements), model making, recycling, etc (I'm going to use the empty casing of the TV to help my 4yr old make a fairy garden inside it)

That's awesome!

Obviously they can also play outside on their bikes but the cycling tours and doing it indoors in the living room was a novelty that made it funny for them.

I've found that DD loves going through cupboards or the loft or a shed and 'discovering' old things. Also anything that can be pitched as 'adventuring' so setting up a den or tent and camping out in it through the day having picnic meals.

Mine are at as much childcare as I could come up with. The rest of the time they will be having quite a lot of screen time so I can WFH. We will do some drawing, colouring, crafts. I am hoping I can save enough to do one day somewhere, like the arcade or swimming, but it might not happen this time. I'm hoping they will make good use of the garden (what's left of it after Eunice!) and I'm just grateful I can afford all the power, Wifi, food, etc. We need. There are so many who can't.

@ChimChimeny

My photos from last year have been coming up on time hop, we did loads of online activities because everywhere was shut, I bet if you look the vidoes.Will still be around.

All i can remember is The Royal Parks did videos on Facebook with various things, i had a thread which a really helpful poster added loads, I'll have a look and link it for you

I've found my thread, we had the best time doing all sorts of random things (making bird feeders, planting seeds, making fossilised poo!) it was actually one of my favourite school holidays.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4160435-any-plans-for-half-term

Maybe my dc were weird but they loved me changing their rooms round and helping them sort their toys out. They also loved the tip run and charity shop after

OP don't pressure yourself, make pancakes for breakfast, help the DC build a den to sleep in one night, bake those fairy cakes, and let them stay up late to eat those cakes as a midnight feast.

We had a clear out the kids similar age to yours got really involved, what sold on facebook funded treats (£3 bowling because it was 9.30am - yawn). We've made cheap pizzas for dinner, made popcorn and watched a film, been for two walks in the woods with friends and family one was really wet and they splashed in puddles and the stream, hot chocolate at home after. We've had days we've stayed in pyjamas and it's also given them a chance to stay home, rest, and play with the toys they don't get chance to in the week.
Indoor picnics (sandwiches and crisps on the floor inside) always go down well here.

OP for christmas someone bought my dd aged 10 a game called Fill your pants..bear with me! Anyway the idea of this game is you wear big pants and you have a list of 5 things to find and stuff in your pants so like 5 green things or 5 furry things or 5 items of food anything and the first person to fill their pants wins. Its so much fun it really is,lots of chaos and running around now you dont need to buy a game to do this I am thinking,I am pressuming your pants are bigger than the kids ones so maybe you try this? It wouldnt cost anything and it could be really funny for both kids. Won;t work if you are a thong mum though!!!!

I don't know any families that have school holidays that are jam packed full of fun activities every day. So don't put unnecessary pressure on yourself.

There are lots of great ideas on this thread.

We've had a couple of days out this half term but the only thing my kids (14 and 10) keep asking for is a "quiet day". They're happiest when they don't have to change out of their pyjamas all day 🤷‍♀️😄

A few inexpensive ideas for DC of similar age:

Long, deep bubble bath while wearing googles.

Movie marathon (Star Wars, etc) homemade treats -popcorn, £5 Coop freezer deal, own brand lemonade.

Bike ride/walk to local park and or nature area, then check out a few books from library.

Bake and cook together. One of your DC is bound to enjoy this.

An afternoon of board games - even if one game of monopoly.

Visit local charity shop - DVDs are free at ours. DC have watched on their games console.

Swimming goggles not googles 😂

I think if your spending time with your children, it really doesn't matter what you do! As others have said, making a den, baking things, arts and crafts (pinterst has lots of cool ideas). You don't need to spend lots of money, if any!. Your children will remeber making dens and things with you and look back and think how great it was! I used to go on long walks with my dad all the time(sometimes took my bike), usually ended up at a pub which had good play areas, dad would have a couple of pints and me and my sister would have some chips to share and play, this is my favourite memory 🙂

Board game day each picking a game to play, movie night with popcorn, sweeties, and juice / coke, long walk together even if it's raining (maybe make a list of stuff to collect? Not sure if your 10 year old would still enjoy that?).

I feel the same OP. Kids are 8, 4 and 9 months. Ive put a bit away each week so I can take the older two to the trampoline place but otherwise it'll be at home, playing with toys, baking, colouring (they love when I print things to colour instead of colouring books sometimes). Libraries run some good clubs too like Lego or Minecraft for the older one maybe? £1.70 a time so not bad.
We live near some woods so a few bear hunts and getting wet suits/wellies on and into the stream or puddles to jump.
Just do what you can OP the kids will find it fun whatever you come up with. There's some good activity ideas on Pinterest

Have a cooking day. 10yo gets taught how to make bean burgers or bolognese, 6yo makes the cookies for pudding.
You get to supervise and wash up. They both get to dry up!
Everything tastes better the first time you make it yourself!

One that I used to do with brownies that they loved (similar age to yours) was cooking over candles. Use foil pie cases with a wooden clip peg for a handle to make tiny pancakes or omelettes over a tea light. Or even tiny French toast cut out with abread cut with a biscuit cutter: all egg based because they are cheap but you could do tiny burgers if you like.

We used to have garden centre, DIY shop
and IKEA trips. The charity shop
Idea upthread is great too, especially if you have a local town with lots of them.

Library trip: read there and borrow books to bring home.

Plus a yomp through the woods/along a beach and some well deserved down time and you'll have filled the week.

If you are worried about fuel and food then please make sure that you check out any local free clubs for the kids ( usually church run or at the library) for warm places to be which often include a lunch or snack.

Why do you have to pay for places, go to free stuff , park? Museums? I haven’t taken my kids to any paid for stuff this half term as everything is booked up for the entire week including soft play and the local museum! So just parks for us, I don’t feel bad. Oh and we went to ikea (my kids literally asked to go they think it’s fun 🤦🏻)

Havebyou heard of the National Lottery Days Out promotion?
If you already have or could spare a few quid for some lotto tickets, you can claim a £25 voucher per ticket to be used towards a day out. I had 2 tickets, claimed 2 vouchers and booked us a day out that would've cost £36 if I had had to actually pay for the tickets. I'm probably not explaining myself very well, but this is the link for a step by step guide:
www.northeastfamilyfun.co.uk/2022/02/national-lottery-days-out-25-voucher.html?m=1

I know this costs but it is considerably cheaper than normal prices.
Our local cinema does a sunday morning cheap seats for £2.50 per ticket.
Not always the most recent film but a treat none the less if you can make that your one and only
Just remember to take snacks with you, I refuse to pay the £4.50 for a crisp packet size of popcorn

It depends on your location really. We have no money at the moment and are at the end of half term. We do things like go to free museums, libraries, farms. Local places of interest. Visit friends. Playdates. The park. I don't think there's any need to take a day trip every day, but a mix of the few of the above should keep things fun and interesting. And as others said, there are always board games, baking, craft things. Puzzle. Dressing up and making costumes. Making fun things of every day things. Get them to start a project they like. Scrapbooking? Library books at the start of the holiday so they have some new books to entertain themselves with? I know it's hard when you have no money and wish you could be taking them to paid attractions etc. But honestly you can have a lot of fun without that sort of thing. We definitely do. And having some time just to play at home and do their own thing is probably good for them, too.

TuscanApothecary I used to love changing my bedroom around and sorting it out when I was a DC. I also liked picnics in my room.

@Hospedia
Thanks for those ideas and YouTube channels, absolutely love the idea of taking stuff apart!
@OneTiredMam
I wouldn't waste a moment feeling guilty, I've spent nothing this half term, all we've done is lounge around, walks, gardening, films and popcorn, gaming and clear rooms for a tip/charity shop run. Kids remember quality time and fun more than expensive days out.

We can afford it but have no plans for half term. DS had had a very busy time and school and he’s tired. The weather is rubbish.
We will hang out at home quite happily. We might go to the park one day, a bike ride one day if weather ok. We have a trip to the dentist booked!
I think social media makes us feel we should always be on days out but at this time of year chilling out at home is nicest.

Sorry if already suggested, but I think there’s a site or app that has free ‘treasure’ hunts? I am sure a family member does these. Not sure if in every town. Sorry to be vague but I’ve heard of them but never done them. I think it’s a clue type thing to lead you to another place and so on.