I've saved thousands by bagging FREE days out with my two kids & on summer holidays – here's my best tips
Read on to see where kids can eat for free this summer
CHEAP THRILLS I've saved thousands by bagging FREE days out with my two kids & on summer holidays – here's my best tips
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A SAVVY mum-of-two has revealed how she saves thousands of pounds without ditching days out or summer holidays.
Natalie Smith, from Dymchurch, Kent, insists that there are plenty of ways to plan fun activities for your family without breaking the bank.
3
Natalie Smith with husband Jason and kids Finn and Lola in France
Credit: SWNS
3
The frugal mum shred how she keeps to a budget even when travelling abroad
Credit: SWNS
3
The savvy mum had plenty of useful tips for days out in the UK too
Credit: SWNS
She says plenty of organisations offer free entry for kids at their locations and events, but simply don't advertise it - meaning you just have to know where to look.
And when it comes to finding holidays on a budget, the savvy mum has a few tricks up her sleeve.
When it comes to holidays, Natalie, a full-time blogger, claims that planning is key - particularly for things like checking whether hotels or resorts offer any activities or other perks included in the price.
She also says you have to be flexible - potentially planning trips around the cheapest flight dates - or consider alternative options, such as driving to various countries in Europe.
And, Natalie is certain her tips work - as she and her husband Jason have been using them for years to take their kids Finn, 14, and Lola, 12, on countless memorable trips.
Natalie, 35, said: "We started living like this because we had such a small income when the kids were younger that we knew if we wanted to take them on holidays and trips, we'd have to change things.
"Things are easier now, but it becomes a way of life so we're still budgeters. It's what suits our values.
"We'd rather do lots of things than have lots of things - so we scrimp in some places to make sure we can travel and have amazing experiences."
Weekend Fun
Natalie says one of the ways she keeps costs down - while keeping the kids entertained - is to have 'no spend' weekends. This involves tracking down free events.
She said: "My biggest tip is to get a Blue Peter badge. These get kids into over 200 attractions across the UK - including theme parks, zoos, museums, gardens etc. - all for free.
I made a weeks worth of sandwiches for just 30p - my hack means I have my lunch sorted whenever I need it, people think it's revolting but it saves me money
"Those badges are worth their weight in gold.
"Another tip would be to use your Tesco Clubcard points. You don't have to just use them in the shop - you can also put them towards events and days out. Just check the app.
"I'd also suggest making use of your surroundings. If you're in a city - or if you want to take a day trip to a city - a lot of stuff is free, like museums, parks, or lidos for the summer.
"Take a picnic and that's still a no-spend day out.
Where can kids eat for free this summer?
THE summer holidays are here, but entertaining the kids need not cost a fortune.
Here, we reveal where you can get free and cheap meals for your little ones during the 'endless' summer holidays.
ASDA CAFE: Nip into an Asda cafe to feed the kids after the weekly shop.
Under-16s get a hot or cold meal for £1 at any time of day.
Little ones are covered, too.
Kids under 18 months get a free Ella's baby food pouch with any purchase.
BEEFEATER: This family-friendly pub chain makes mornings a breeze.
Two kids under 16 eat for free with the purchase of an adult breakfast for £10.99.
It's available from 6.30am to 10.30am midweek and 7am to 11am at weekends.
BELLA ITALIA: Book a table and order an adult meal at the Italian eatery for kids aged two to 11 to get three courses and a drink for £1.
Offer valid between 4pm and 6pm on Sundays to Wednesdays.
On Thursdays, kids eat free all day when an adult meal is ordered from the a la carte menu.
DUNELM: Make homeware shopping a fun day out.
Dunelm's Pausa Cafes are offering free kids' meals for every £4 spent on their food or drink.
Available all day, every day.
BILL'S: Dine in at a Bill's restaurant to get up to two free kids' meals (normally £6.95 each) with an adult meal.
Valid weekdays only until August 30.
IKEA: Make it a food day at the Swedish home store.
On every day except Fridays, enjoy a pit stop at their famous cafe from 11am to get a kids' pasta or mac and cheese dish for 95p.
Other mini meals are available for £1.50.
PIZZA EXPRESS: Kids up to age ten can get a free three-course Piccolo meal including dough balls, pizza or pasta and dessert with every adult meal purchased.
The offer runs every day until August 11.
TESCO: Pop to the supermarket cafe from Monday to Friday until August 30 for free kids' meals when an adult buys any item in the cafe.
You must have a Clubcard to redeem the offer.
THE RANGE: Kids under 16 get one free meal per adult main purchased at The Range cafes.
Options include sandwiches, a cooked breakfast and fish and chips.
All kids' meals come with a piece of fruit and a drink.
"If you're in the countryside, use the beach, use the woods. Something like Geocaching - where you hunt for geocaches - can make a walk really fun without having to spend money.
Jet, Set, Go
"Train companies offer good deals too. National Rail does a Two For One, where you can get a London activity, like a River Thames boat cruise, included in the price of your ticket.
"And on Southeastern Rail kids can travel for £1.
"There are lots of these offers out there but companies don't actively advertise them so people aren't aware."
Natalie also says that holidays don't have to be unattainable for people struggling with money - as there are plenty of ways to cut back on costs.
She said: "One piece of simple advice I give people is to pick somewhere that offers a 'per party' price rather than a 'per person' price. Then it doesn't matter if you have lots of kids.
"Also try to pick a destination that offers free things to do - included in your accommodation cost.
"So, there are lots of places where you can do water sports for free - or which include passes to local theme parks etc.
"We went to a resort in the Netherlands once which offered free access to attractions nearby - and had a safari park onsite.
"So that gave us things to do without having to spend while we were out there.
"So I'd say looking at those things and almost planning out your itinerary in advance can save you a fortune once you're out there."
When it comes to travel, Natalie has some top tips for finding cheap flights - but also encourages families to consider driving if they're holidaying in Europe.
She said: "When it comes to flights, Skyscanner is your best friend. If we have a specific destination in mind, then we'll be flexible with dates - and maybe plan the whole trip around which day the flight is cheapest.
"If we don't mind where we go, we'll search for the cheapest flights to 'everywhere', and plan around that.
"Otherwise though, we tend to drive as much as possible - because of how cheap ferries are.
"We've driven to France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and more - and the driving becomes part of the fun.
"Recently we did a trip driving around Germany, Austria, and Italy, and spent around four days in each spot we stopped at - camping at local camp sites.
"We planned activities for each place and it meant every moment was great.
"One day, we were walking up mountains in Austria and the next we were at the canals in Venice, Italy.
"And I just think sometimes you can spend a whole day trying to get a flight - when you consider driving to the airport, going through security, waiting to board, getting the flight, then getting your hire car on the other side.
"So it's something to consider."
Saving Up
Natalie says that she and her family also look for ways they can cut back on spending throughout the year - so they can put money aside for their holidays.
This includes batch cooking to save on groceries, always taking flasks out to avoid buying coffee, and even having dad Jason learn to cut son Finn's hair so they don't have any barber fees.
Natalie said: "We batch cook a lot and always meal prep so we know what we need and what we're using for the week.
"I also take a flask everywhere so I don't buy coffee - and just switch small things like cycling instead of taking the bus for any journeys I can.
"We've learnt to do what we can for ourselves. We clean our own windows and Jason used a YouTube video to learn how to cut our son's hair.
"I just think it's all about making small changes. Obviously, money is extremely tight for a lot of people. We've been there so we know.
"But I do think just trying to save where you can - it can make life more affordable.
"If you don't buy a coffee or lunch out - then you could save £5 a day. £5 a day adds up to £1,825 a year.
"That's a great budget for a family holiday."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
11 hours ago
- Wales Online
Spain holiday turmoil as hundreds of British tourists stranded due to flight cancellations
Spain holiday turmoil as hundreds of British tourists stranded due to flight cancellations Many holidaymakers were unable to get home from half term trips The cancellations caused disruption for many families (Image: SWNS ) Scores of British holidaymakers find themselves stranded at Palma de Mallorca Airport following a spate of flight cancellations due to "air traffic control restrictions". Numerous British families are left unable to return from their half-term breaks on the sought-after Balearic isle, with easyJet and other carriers unable to operate due to adverse weather conditions across Europe. The circumstances described as "outside [of the airline's] control". The cancellations come days after Ryanair's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, voiced his grievances over "shoddy air traffic control services", warning they could lead to unprecedented delays this summer. British tourist Beth Rafferty reported that hundreds were stranded at the airport because of poor weather in northern Europe. The terminal was said to be overflowing with passengers caught up in the chaos, many facing uncertainty amidst the hold-ups and abrupt cancellations. Beth Rafferty, a 31-year-old from Hastings, East Sussex, found herself and her partner, Lewis Chapman, 26, in this predicament. They had planned to return to London Gatwick with their two children, aged eight and ten, on a Sunday evening flight. Article continues below However, just as they were preparing to board, they received an email saying their 7pm easyJet flight had been cancelled due to air traffic control restrictions. These restrictions were later explained to be a consequence of poor weather in northern Europe. Rafferty explained that although less than 10 flights were cancelled, the knock-on effect of over 120 delayed flights impacted countless individuals. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . Beth and her relatives were left with no choice but to fork out £300 for a last-minute hotel. With no timely alternative via easyJet, they shelled out an additional £1,500 to secure Jet2 tickets, ensuring their children could return home to Bournemouth without missing more school days. In response to the situation, an easyJet spokesperson said: "Unfortunately, due to the impact of widespread thunderstorms across Northern Europe yesterday, some flights were unable to operate as planned." Article continues below They added: "We did all we could to minimise the impact of the weather disruption on our customers, providing options to rebook or a refund their flights as well as providing hotel accommodation and meals for these who required them." "The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is easyJet's highest priority and while this was outside of our control, we are sorry for the inconvenience caused."
Powys County Times
16 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Ryanair: Mum's travel hack helps beat baggage charges
A mum boarded her Ryanair flight despite refusing to pay the baggage charge - by ditching her suitcase and using a bin bag in front of a gobsmacked 'jobsworth'. Natalie Sadler was boarding her flight from Palma de Mallorca to Leeds Bradford last month and claims she was asked by a member of staff to place her suitcase in the baggage sizer. She had purchased priority boarding for her family holiday to Magaluf and was entitled to a small personal bag (40x20x25cm) and a 10kg bag (55x40x20cm). The 43-year-old caterer admitted her 10kg suitcase was a 'thumbnail' too big and that one of the wheels was sticking out. She claims a Ryanair staff member then said she would need to pay Euro 70 [£59] to take the bag on the flight. The mum-of-three claims a Ryanair staff member told her she had to pay the money or she would not be able to board the aircraft. Natalie said she refused to pay the fee because the staff member was 'rude'. Thinking on her feet, she headed towards a nearby bar at the boarding gate and asked them for a bin bag. When she returned to the gate she emptied all of the clothes from her suitcase into the blue bin bag, leaving her case behind. A triumphant Natalie said she boarded the plane with the bin bag and placed it in the overhead locker while on-lookers applauded. Footage shows Natalie talking about her experience and the blue bin bag with her possessions in it. Ryanair, who claim the worker involved was from a third party assigned to deal with baggage, said 'our bag policy is simple - if the bag fits in our bag sizer, it gets on free of charge'. Natalie said: "It [the suitcase] was literally a thumbnail too wide and the wheel was slightly out so I'm not going to dispute that. "She [a Ryanair staff member] was like, 'if you don't pay Euro 70 you'll get a new flight home. I'll send the flight without you.' "It wasn't the money, it was the principle at this point because she was so rude. "But I said to my husband, 'open the case' and I ran over to where the bar was near the boarding gate and I went, 'have you got a bin bag?' "I opened the case at the door for boarding and she [the Ryanair staff member] was stood next to me and I filled the bag with everything out of the case. "I flung it over my shoulder like Santa and I just went 'there you go, you can keep that'. "And off I went onto the plane. When I got on everyone was clapping, it was hilarious, it was so funny. "Everyone was just laughing. They were clapping as I walked on with this bag. "I couldn't get down the aisle because it was so big. Everyone found it highly amusing. "I told them [the passengers on the plane] there was no way after the way she spoke to me was I giving her any of my money. Not a chance." Natalie claims she had flown out to Palma de Mallorca on Ryanair just seven days prior with the same suitcase and experienced no problems. Natalie said: "The suitcase is only £45 new so I wasn't going to pay £59. "I needed to solve my problem. I'm a fixer and I fixed the problem. "I was fuming. I just had to laugh it off, as much as I was annoyed, it's a suitcase, no one died. "They [Ryanair staff] just kept looking but said nothing despite the bag being bigger than the case at that point. "It is absolutely ridiculous but I'm glad I stood my ground. There's so many people who would have just gone, 'get the card out, pay them.'" A spokesperson for Ryanair said: "Ryanair's bag policy is simple; if the bag fits in our bag sizer, which is bigger than our agreed dimensions, it gets on free of charge. If the bag doesn't fit within our sizer, it will get charged for. "This passenger's bag exceeded the permitted dimensions, and they chose to repack their items in an alternative bag that would fit the sizer instead.
Scottish Sun
16 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Brits stranded in Spain as easyJet cancels scores of flights over ATC restrictions
Plus, Ryanair revealed it was suing UK air traffic control HQ for £5million after work-from-home engineer ruined 700,000 traveller's plans HOLIDAY HOLT Brits stranded in Spain as easyJet cancels scores of flights over ATC restrictions "HUNDREDS and hundreds" of Brits are stuck in Majorca Palma airport after a number of flight cancellations due to 'air traffic control restrictions'. A number of British families are unable to get home from their half-term holidays in Majorca with easyJet and other airlines after restrictions were imposed due to poor weather in Europe, which were "outside [of the airline's] control". 4 A number of Brits have been stranded at Majorca Airport Credit: SWNS This comes days after Ryanair's CEO, Michael O'Leary complained of "shoddy ATC services" which he warned would cause record flight delays in summer 2025. Beth Rafferty, 31, and her family are four of hundreds of Brits who were unable to fly back to Gatwick on June 1. Beth, from Hastings, East Sussex, was due to fly home with her partner, Lewis Chapman, 26, and their children, eight and 10. She says more than 120 flights were delayed and it is understood less than 10 were cancelled. They were about to board their 7pm easyJet flight when they were emailed to say it was cancelled due 'air traffic control (ATC) restrictions'. However it has since been confirmed that the 'restrictions' are as a result of poor weather across Northern Europe. The family were told: "We're sorry that your flight has been cancelled. "This is due to air traffic control restrictions (...). "The disruption to your flight is outside of our control and is considered to be an extraordinary circumstance." Beth added that loads of families were stuck in the airport - and they had to book emergency accommodation at a hotel last night. 'It's very important' - Ryanair's 'baggage sizers' warning to Irish passengers ahead of busy Easter break amid €75 fine The family were also unable to get an alternative easyJet flight quickly. They have now paid £1,500 to to fly home by Jet2 so that their children don't miss any more school time. Beth, an insurance system administrator, added: "We have managed to get a flight to Bournemouth - but not to our original destination. "Lots of people have ended up flying to Belfast or Liverpool instead of London, we've been fortunate. "Apparently there was an air traffic control issue. As far as I'm aware, all the flights cancelled have been easyJet. "The only information provided is the air traffic control issue. "We've been sat watching loads of other flights from other airlines land and take off, so we're not sure why." 4 Reportedly, all the flights cancelled have been easyJet Credit: SWNS According to Beth, around six other easyJet flights due to return to the UK in the same 7pm timeslot as them were also all cancelled. She said: "We've been told by someone at the airport front desk we won't be compensated for the new flights. "But we might get the money back for the accommodation. "I rang the children's' school to explain it and it doesn't look like we'll get a fine." The family are flew home lunchtime on Monday, so the children can be back at school tomorrow. 4 easyJet have blamed the issues on widespread thunderstorms Credit: SWNS An easyJet spokesperson commented: "Unfortunately, due to the impact of widespread thunderstorms across Northern Europe yesterday, some flights were unable to operate as planned. "We did all we could to minimise the impact of the weather disruption on our customers, providing options to rebook or a refund their flights as well as providing hotel accommodation and meals for these who required them. "The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is easyJet's highest priority and while this was outside of our control, we are sorry for the inconvenience caused." Yesterday, Ryanair's CEO shared that he expects delays to get worse this summer. Plus, in April, Ryanair revealed it was suing UK air traffic control HQ for £5million after work-from-home engineer ruined 700,000 traveller's plans.
