Fun with the Family When You’re Low on Funds

It’s important to spend time as a family whenever you can. Even though you live your everyday lives together, from getting ready in the morning to going to bed at night, it’s always fun to mix up your routine too. Doing something fun at the weekends or during the holidays helps to lift you out of the repetition of the everyday. Going on lots of days out and doing lots of activities can get expensive, however. If you love doing things as a family, it can mean you need to start looking for activities you can do for less money or even for free.

Get Out in Nature

Getting outside will often reveal a range of things for you to do as a family. If you have a park nearby, they give your kids (and the dog) more space to run around than your garden might. There’s all kinds of fun to be had in a park, from running around to playing an imaginative game or going on a scavenger hunt.

If you’re able to get out into “proper” nature, you can find even more to do. A walk or bike ride through some woods, along a coastal path or up a mountain (or just a small hill) can give you something to do all day.

Have a Cheap Meal Out

Eating out as a family doesn’t need to be expensive or fancy. Even just going somewhere for fast food can be a way to get out of the house and spend an hour or two doing something together. It’s also a good thing to add on to another activity, instead of going home to eat or buying sandwiches. If you print off some pizzahut.co.uk vouchers, you can save on a meal for the whole family that the kids will love. Going to somewhere like Harvester or even McDonald’s is more affordable than more up-market places, and arguably more fun for kids.

Look for Museums, Galleries, and Other Free Locations

It can be easier than you might imagine to find free things to do. Even if there aren’t any in your hometown, a short drive or trip on a bus or train can get you to somewhere new. Consider museums and galleries first, many of which are free or cheap to enter.

They’re educational and often have activities for kids to get involved with. You might also find other free places to visit, such as community farms or historical buildings and sites. Some places might charge for adults but have free entry for kids.

Find Free Family Events

Special events can also be great sources of fun at certain times of the year. You might find there’s more happening around holidays, but you can often find something to do on many weekends. Try looking for events like county fairs, family fun days at your local park, taster sessions at leisure centres and sports facilities, and free arts and culture events too.

You might be able to find things like free theatre performances, book readings, crafting events, and lots more. Try looking for local listings online and in local publications, or even on community noticeboards.

Look for Discounts and Offers

You can’t always rely on free things to do, and there are sometimes activities your kids want to try that you have to pay for. But even things that will cost you money don’t have to be expensive if you play your cards right. There are plenty of ways to get discounts on family activities, from bowling to soft play centres. Keep an eye out in newspapers and magazines for coupons and vouchers. You can also look online for vouchers you can print off, discount prices or codes you can use to pay online.

Take a Walk Around a City or Town

If you want to get your family outside, you don’t have to find a forest to frolic through. You can also have a lot of fun exploring a town, city or perhaps even a small village. You can walk around and enjoy the architecture or any monuments and street art. You can go into interesting shops and have a look at what they have for sale (you don’t have to buy anything). If you want to spend a little money, you could find somewhere for a drink and some cake. You can also find interesting buildings like churches or cathedrals that you can enter for free.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have fun as a family. Look for free and cheap activities to enjoy your time together.