Need ideas for cheap activities for the kids.

[User9797]

Funds are tight at the moment and I'm looking for some cheap or even free activity ideas to keep the kids entertained. Weekend ideas and weekday evening ideas too. Thanks!

How old? This is the time of year we like to take a walk on the beach, or local parks and forests and watch the seasons changing and we can always come up with a game to keep the kids involved like first one to spot a dafodil/acorn/conker etc. Often collect leaves and shells some sand etc and then let them loose with a prit stick and some card when home to make pictures and then offload them on GPs

Age of dc and your transport options would be useful. Also are you city centre or rural etc.

Ages 4 and 9. Boys. Live in a small town. 5 minute in a taxi from the city centre but no car.

BricksInTheWall, Id love for them to be outdoorsy kids but they love looking at screens too much. Maybe if I get them to take pictures instead of collect things though hmmmm could be an idea!

Cinema kids club on a weekend or school holiday morning is quite cheap, I think it's £2.50 each or maybe £2.99.

Swimming is quite low cost.

Martin Lewis website has loads of good ideas for free/cheap stuff. He has a list of all the free museums, you could see if any are local to you.

Do you have anywhere that offers a year pass? That can work out good value sometimes.

Having a home 'cinema' can be fun. Make popcorn. Fill the TV room with cushions, duvets etc. Close the curtains and watch a DVD. Charity shops near us do 4 for £1 on DVD's so we can get new ones for the 'cinema' experience. It's also an afternoon out to the charity shop!

Does your local library offer any groups? Ours does Lego club on a Saturday morning for example. I often take my dcs to our local library after school, to pick new books.
Is there a park on the walk home from school? I often call in our local park once the weather improves.

Cooking (pizzas, mug cakes are good)
You Tube inspired "challenges" - slime, wierd concoctions, best playdoh models of favourite cartoon/gaming characters.
Drawing competitions (we do it on a big roll of lining paper)
Card games
Making a massive den inside and watching a film inside with popcorn (cheap if you make it yourself)
Home disco
Just Dance (copy dances on YouTube)...a screen, but more active!
These are some thing's we do (in amongst screens!)

Scavenger hunt or treasure hunt with clues is fun (but does take a bit of setting up). Sometimes if you a local historical society or similar they may have something set up already.

Cubs/Scouts.

Sleepover, great fun, very cheap! And you may get a return invite, which is always nice!