Bargainous ways to fill days off school!

[confusedofengland]

My DC (6, 4, 1) do not have any school for the next 2 days, due to the election & then a non-pupil day at DS1's school & DS2's preschool, meaning that we have a 4-day weekend DH is also at home with us atm, as he starts work in a week or two.

I have been searching & I think I have managed to plan us a fun & cheap long weekend, so I thought I'd share it & see if anybody has any ideas for the upcoming half term. Our plans are as follows:

Thursday: Go to vote straight after breakfast, then head to the local Wacky Warehouse for when it opens (supposed to be raining on & off all day). I have negotiated free admission for all 3 DC as things were a bit rubbish last time we went, so I complained . Afternoon at home - craft, baking, garden etc.

Friday: Visit a National Trust place (water mill) using the annual passes my parents bought as my birthday present. Take picnic.

Saturday: Take DS1 to his football session in the morning & take other 2 DC to the adjoining park. Probably visit my parents in the afternoon.

Sunday: Swimming with all DC. This will cost under £5 (normally £15 or more) as DH & I have signed up for a 7-day free trial for the leisure centre . Lazy afternoon at home.

What bargainous days out or activities have other people managed to find

I'm off with the Dc today and we'll be visiting the library in the morning and a local nature reserve in the afternoon that is supposed to have an amazing amount of bluebells.

Libraries are always free and most towns have a free museum.

Taking a picnic to a local park or county walk if you have something near you - you can always set them a list of things to find - bird, tree, insect, car while you're out.

If you've only got a couple of children, having a friend around for the day for each of them - all you need to provide are some biscuits, sandwiches, something healthy like carrot/cucumber sticks and a packet of crisps and they'll be happy - you can always take them to the park for a change of scenery. You could always invite another Mum around with their children, so you both have company.

For those that shop at Tescos, use their clubcard vouchers to buy cinema tickets cheap or days out.