6 Week School Holiday ideas on a Small Budget

[Frazzle51]

Does anyone have any ideas for doing the 6-week summer holidays on a budget? I’m struggling for ideas with my eldest two – 10 year old and almost 9 year old – that don’t cost the earth and don’t involve staring at a computer screen. I’ve already written a list of nearby places that are cheap or free (parks, libraries, museums etc…) and I’ve managed to book us onto a couple of cheap activities in the area, but a lot of the time will be spent at home and that’s where I’m a bit stuck.
I’ve picked up some new board games from Marketplace for a board game night, I’m planning a movie night with popcorn and snacks, maybe a Lego night, a BBQ and was thinking we could find some new recipes to make together but that’s about the extent of my ideas and it’s all stuff we’ve done before. Does anyone have any thoughts on how I can make their summer special on an extremely tight budget? Thank you!

Following for ideas.

We've done (and will continue to do) lots of summers on a budget. Sounds like you have some great ideas already.

Can you stretch to national trust membership or similar? We really get our money's worth in the summer?

Crabbing is a fun cheap activity if you are near a pier /jetty.

Swimming? We have an annual pass but I know some places do cheaper swims for kids in the summer eg our local pool is £1 for kids at certain times.

All our DC love a pizza and film evening!

Cheap disposable BBQ and marshmallows in the garden?

@SnowInJune I'm thinking of following a loosely similar plan this year; Mon - jobs/errands day (they love B&Q more than they let on!) Tue - day out, Wed - PJ day (this is just my term for being at home with no plans, they inevitably get dressed and might even go out but it's a day where they can do what they want, at home), Thu - holiday club, Fri - day out and can invite a friend each.

I keep a running note on my phone for anything that I come across which is low cost entertainment eg in the nearest city there's a free art exhibition (kid friendly) and a great park. Only cost will be parking if we take a picnic. They can invite friends to this as suitable for a variety of ages.

If going out, I try to take mine mid-morning to mid-afternoon and have picnic lunch out. They're generally less argumentative with each other first thing and will play or draw for a while whilst I get some chores done, then when we get back I feel justified in allowing screen time as they've been busy all day meaning I can prepare dinner in peace! I find this breaks the day up better for us than a morning out or afternoon out.

I am a teacher so don't have the headache of juggling work with the kids being off school but they do go to holiday club once a week as they really like it (and I really like the peace and quiet!)

Public transport and watching trains and planes if that's possible where you are.

Get a family day or weekly ticket for buses/trams/trains, explore routes, stop at a cafe.

If you're near a big airport, download Flightradar24 and see where planes are going to and from. Jot down the registrations.

If you're there all day you'll possibly see the same plane more than once on a short route.

My wee boy (7) finishes up on Friday for 7 weeks we have a few things planned , he's going to tennis camp one day buts it's only £4 which is good. The pools beside us are free for kids between 8-1 then £1 after 1pm so need to remember to take him before 1 . The library are doing. A free reading challenge and various activities during the holidays. I got an email through for my birthday giving me 30% off Hollywood bowl . Hopefully if weather stays good a good few days in the paddling pool

kids don’t care about museums, libraries, or art exhibitions, those are for grown ups, how boring. they want to play with other children, toys, and to go to the park or beach

My friend every holiday gets her kids to write a list of 10 things each that they’d like to do. One can be a bit expensive ie up to £25 each. The others must be free. They lovely compiling the list and it’s always amazing what they would like to do and how creative they are. Definitely planning on getting mine to do that when a bit older