The FIVE free days out for your kids this summer – and you don't need to be on benefits

The Sun

5 hours ago

THERE are still weeks left of the school summer holidays and many families will be struggling for ways to keep their kids entertained for less.
Planning days out and trips can easily cost a small fortune, but many attractions offer free or discounted entry for children.
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The accompanying adult may still have to pay entry, but it can help lessen the financial load if your little ones can have fun for free.
Better yet, these activities are free or discounted regardless of whether you are on benefits or not.
Let's take a look below.
National Railway Museum, York
The National Railway Museum in York is free to enjoy for the whole family.
Both kids and adults can enter the facility for free but you are encouraged to make a donation.
The venue is home to a number of historic rail vehicles including Mallard, the world's fastest steam locomotive.
Visitors can also get a look at the iconic Japanese "bullet train".
Plenty of other museums also offer free entry for kids, including the Science museum in London and the National History museum.
Free workshops
If your children are animal obsessed then why not apply for one of Pets at Home "My Pet Pals" summer workshop.
These events will run until Sunday August 17 in Scotland and Northern Ireland .
And will run until Sunday August 31 in England and Wales.
You can make school cake in the air fryer with just 6 ingredients - it's ready in minutes & perfect for an after-school snack
These workshops focus on the five needs of animal welfare, with a different theme each week of the holidays.
Kids will receive a pocketbook full of activities, a My Pet Pals certificate, and have the chance to meet some animals.
You can find out more by visiting, community.petsathome.com/events/child-workshop/my-pet-pals-summer/.
£1 cinema days
Families can head to the cinema for £1 per person at Cineworld locations.
These movies are not the latest releases but include big hits from the past year or so including Paddington and the Minecraft Movie.
Upcoming films across all Cineworld locations include.
Moana 2 – August 8 to August 14
Paddington in Peru – August 15 to August 21
A Minecraft Movie – August 22 to August 28
While a select number are showing:
Transformers One – August 8 to August 14
Disney's Snow White – August 15 to August 21
Dog Man – August 22 to August 28
You can find out if your local branch will be home to one of the selected films by visiting, www.cineworld.co.uk/films.
You can book your discounted tickets online.
Free view of London skyline
A day trip to London can be very pricey if you are not careful.
For example, a trip to The Shard in London usually costs £28.
But if you head to the Sky Garden, which is just a 15 minute walk away, you can see the same view for free.
You can book your free tickets online by visiting: tickets.skygarden.london/WebStore/shop/viewitems.aspx?cg=SkyGarden&c=Tickets
Free courses for teenagers
Islington Council runs a number of free courses for teenagers and young adults through its Summerversity scheme.
In the past, classes have included archery, football camp and photography lessons.
You can book a maximum of eight courses to keep your teenager entertained over the holidays.
You can sign up by visiting www.summerversity.co.uk/.
And there are still a number of courses available to sign up for including swimming lessons and kickboxing.
Of course you will need to live in the London borough to get access to the scheme.
But if you don't it may be worth ringing up your local council to see if it runs a similar event.
What help is available for parents?
CHILDCARE can be a costly business. Here is how you can get help.
30 hours free childcare - Parents of three and four-year-olds can apply for 30 hours free childcare a week.
To qualify you must usually work at least 16 hours a week at the national living or minimum wage and earn less than £100,000 a year.
Tax credits - For children under 20, some families can get help with childcare costs.
Childcare vouchers - If your employer offers childcare vouchers you can get up to £55 a week in tax and national insurance savings.
You pay for your childcare before your tax contributions are taken out.
This scheme is open to new joiners until October 4, 2018, when it is planned that tax-free childcare will replace the vouchers.
Tax-free childcare - Available to working families and the self-employed, for every £8 you put in the government will add an extra £2.