How to keep children entertained over the summer holidays on a budget
Try creating your own nature trail at a local park or check out free family cinema screenings
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The summer holidays are fast approaching and the weight of expectation to entertain our children for six weeks straight is building. Fun days out don’t come cheap — the cost of trips to zoos, theme and holiday parks can run into hundreds of pounds, especially if you have more than one child.
With that in mind, we have compiled a list of summer holiday activities that don’t require a huge amount of resources or lots of cash.
Cooling off
If temperatures soar this summer, invest in a shallow paddling pool or water tray, which can keep younger children occupied for hours — just make sure they’re always supervised. And for the older children, there’s the endless fun of water balloons and water blasters.
For those who don’t have an outside space it’s worth creating a sensory water activity using a plastic storage container or washing tub with everyday things such as food colouring, shaving foam, cups and funnels. Parents who love DIY can try constructing their own water or sand table with a plastic storage container and wood, using a number of online tutorials.
There are also a range of free fountain parks around the country such as Bradford City Park’s Mirror Pool and Fountain, Olympic Park Splash Garden in London or Manchester Piccadilly Gardens. It is a great way for kids to play, meet others and expend some energy too.
Green fingers
Instead of trying to keep an eye on children while you do your gardening jobs, get them involved. If you have a garden bed that you are not too precious about, allow your children to explore the soil and have a go at digging and raking with some child-sized garden tools. They can also help you add compost to the soil and water your flowers and plants.
If you don’t have an outdoor space, grow from seed in a pot instead. Your children will feel a sense of achievement at having grown and taken care of something with their own hands (it’s a good lesson in patience, too). Ask your local council or community centre if there are any community gardens in the area that you and your children can join for free.
To explore the local wildlife, create your own nature trail by doing some research into the types of animals and plants that can be found at your nearby park, reservoir or woodland area. List them on a sheet of paper, add little drawings or printed images and, on your next trip to the park, see if the children can spot and tick off all the items on your list.
Art and culture
There is no shortage of museums and art galleries in the UK and the best part is that many of them are free. Children can explore and develop personal interests or learn something new in these spaces. Plus, many museums run free children’s activities throughout the summer, such as Leeds City Museum, the Science Museum in London, or Manchester Museum.
Take along some pencils and paper for the children to make sketches of what they see. It is never too early to start taking kids to an art gallery. Babies and toddlers will enjoy looking at bold colours, patterns and shapes and doing some mark-making on paper.
Festivals
While adult events at culture and literature festivals usually cost money, family events are often free, such as those at the Bradford Literature Festival, which runs from 27 June to 6 July, or the Manchester International Festival between 3 and 20 July. Just make sure you reserve places online, as even free events will require pre-booking.
Summer reading
Some libraries run the Summer Reading Challenge — where children are set a reading goal — which kicks off on 21 June. If yours doesn’t, set your own reading challenge and encourage your children to tick off the books they have at home, or take them to the library to borrow some more.
Make a sticker chart to keep count of each book they have read, or use an empty notebook to create a journal where they can write and illustrate a short book review after finishing each one. At the end of the summer, reward them for taking part in the challenge with a new book of their choice.
Enjoy free or discounted cinema
Spend balmy afternoons and evenings with your children, a picnic blanket and some snacks at an outdoor cinema, such as one of many open-air cinemas in London, Newcastle’s Screen on the Green, or the free drive-in cinema at Cannon Mills in Bradford, as part of Bradford City of Culture 2025.
Or head indoors for film screenings in art galleries and museums, such as the Tate Modern’s free summer films series in London or Kids’ Club screenings at Bradford’s Science and Media Museum’s Pictureville Cinema.
