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Daily Mirror
27-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Free and cheap things to do with the kids this summer including theme parks
MoneyMagpie Editor and financial expert Vicky Parry shares the best way to keep the family entertained throughout the school holidays without breaking the bank Summer is a great time to spend with the kids and family members, but that also means expensive days out! The good news is there are lots of ways to stay entertained on a budget, thanks to free events, workshops, and activities. Money-savvy parents can save this summer with some forward planning – try these activities and tips to save money without saving on fun! Visit the library There's a reason this is always on the free activities list! Libraries aren't about dusty old books these days. They offer computer access and printing, as well as run lots of free workshops and events from storytime to crafting and more, for a wide range of ages. You can often also borrow DVDs, computer games, and board games. You don't need to visit the library either, if there isn't one near you. Register for a free library card online and you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks for free! If your kids are impatient and don't want to wait for a book on hold, try free two-month trials of Kindle Unlimited, Readly, and BookBeat to get them access to books, magazines, and audiobooks for free this summer. Free holiday clubs If your child is entitled to free school meals during term-time, the Holiday Activities and Food Programme means you could claim some free childcare, meals, and activities for your child in the holidays. Eligibility varies between local authorities, and some children who aren't eligible for free school meals but have a low income could still be eligible, so make sure you check your local authority website for details. Free National Express coach travel Getting to and from activities can be expensive when you're going with a family. If you haven't already picked up a Family and Friends Railcard look into it, as it could save you hundreds across the course of a year with regular rail travel. But if you don't want to travel by rail to your family activities this summer, consider the coach instead. National Express is offering for up to three under-15s to travel free with every paying adult until September 30th – just book tickets online and use the code KIDSFREE to claim the free tickets. Kids eat free or cheap deals Feeding a family gets a lot more expensive in the holidays – but it doesn't have to. There are lots of restaurant and café chains that run special offers in the summer to help families with their food bill. Some, like Bill's Restaurants, have holiday-specific deals. Others, like TGI Fridays, IKEA, Morrisons and Asda cafes, and Brewers Fayre venues run year-round deals to keep costs low for families throughout the year. Check out your local restaurants and cafes to find out where kids eat free or cheap to feed the family on a budget! Save up to 45% on theme parks The summer means lots of deals available for theme park entry, saving huge amounts on your entrance fees. If you're a Lidl customer with the Lidl Plus app, scroll to the Partner Offers tab to find and claim a free thirty-day Day Out With The Kids pass to claim up to 45% off entry fees at theme parks like Drayton Manor, Flamingoland, DiggerLand, Crearly Theme Park, Blackpool Pleasure Beach and more. Or, check out National Rail if you're planning to get the train to a theme park. You can claim up to 33% off Merlin attractions and more by booking your voucher through their Days Out Guide and showing your train ticket on entry. Finally, check out Kellogg's cereals and snacks for up to 25% off at major attractions – visit their website for more details. Have a Garden Cinema Night Gather friends and family together for a cinema night – in the garden. It's easy to set up a space with a white bedsheet and a projector. Dangbei offer a range of projectors, from the Freedo to the new MP1 Max, depending on your budget and needs. If you want to set up a cinema room at home, or replace your TV in the living room, it's definitely worth investing in a higher-end projector for the best experience. Get everyone to bring their favourite cinema snack, or set up a popcorn station where you make your own and add toppings you prefer. A drinks station – with one for the adults if you want cocktails! – adds to the fun and gives kids independence to choose what they want. Pick some family-friendly films, drag the sofa cushions and throws outside (or use outdoor blankets like those from Night Lark in case the drizzle starts), and enjoy movie night with friends as the sun goes down. Game of rounders in the park Every summer should include a competitive game of rounders! Gather up your friends and family for an afternoon in the park. Take a picnic, brush up on the (very simple) rules, and create a tournament for a whole afternoon of fun. Check the rules of your local park regarding ball games and gatherings first, of course. Free mindful jogging community If you love to exercise with your kids, consider joining the free Joy Runs community. With a theme each week, such as trees or water, you can jog together while contemplating the theme to stay mindful as well as get those endorphins going. If you're more competitive, check out free Park Runs each weekend in your area – and see if you can encourage your kids to improve on their time between the start and end of the summer holidays! Cricket and music combined The Hundred is a sporting event that makes the most of everything cricket has to offer. Global cricket stars combined with headline music acts make it a fun event of sport and music combined. The tournament starts on 5th August, with eight matches taking place at Lord's and the Kia Oval throughout the month. It culminates in The Eliminator on Saturday 30th August and The Final on 31st August – with a family-friendly fun-filled weekend. Tickets are £21 an adult, £5 for junior and under threes go free! Cheap cinema tickets Take your family to see a film from just £1 a ticket this summer. Cineworld is running family friendly screenings with £1 tickets, and films such as The Minecraft Movie and Disney's Snow White. If you don't have a Cineworld near you, check out the cinema deals available in your area. It could be £6 showings with O2 Priority, or adults paying kids prices at Vue, or Odeon Member Mondays for a fiver. There will be all kinds of deals at your nearest cinema, so make sure to check them out for a cheap afternoon out with the kids. Quick tips for a cheap summer Whenever you're planning cheap summer activities, keep these things in mind to keep the cost down. Book tickets in advance for cheaper prices and special offers or discounts Enter freebie contests and giveaways to try new activities Shop via cashback websites to get some money back on your spending Take picnics instead of buying food at venues Invest in reusable water bottles for all the family to keep hydrated without spending lots of money on drinks Get together with friends to take advantage of group discounts Finally, having children around for six weeks can increase your household bills a lot! Keep the cost of groceries down by shopping at the cheapest supermarket in your area and making the most of loyalty card price cuts and offers.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Yahoo
Amazing summer gadgets, in the latest issue of T3!
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The new issue of T3 is here, and it's time to embrace the sunshine! Our ultimate summer tech guide will show you how to maximise your time in the great outdoors with the best summer gadgets. We've covered all the possible summer scenarios, whether you're at the beach, having a picnic in the countryside, or on a hike. Plus, keep your garden looking trim while you put your feet up with the best next-gen robot lawn mowers on test; check out how to clean up your tech spend with the eco gear guide; and now that it's here, we've got 5 reasons to buy the Switch 2. Get this issue in our iPad edition Read us on Android phones and tablets Read T3 and 100s of other top mags at Readly In the latest issue of T3, you'll find: Amazing summer gadgets – glorious kit to max your time in the great outdoors, from garden soirées to countryside picnics. Samsung S95F rated –The flagship OLED TV to own right now – we discover just how good it is (and it is good) The eco gear guide – find out how to clean up your tech spend The best next-gen robot lawn mowers on test – make your garden look immaculate without the effort this summer Workout from home – smart options for getting shredded at lunch Six superb noise-cancelling headphones tested – silence plane journeys and make your music sound superlative 5 reasons to buy the Switch 2 – plus the best upgrades for it And so much more! So discover all the transformative tech and cutting-edge gadgets you can get your hands on by subscribing to T3 today.
Daily Mirror
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
6 true crime books with major twists that'll have you gripped all summer
True crime reads are - both new and old - are expected to be a holiday essential this summer. Whether you're new to the genre or a long-time fan, these titles should be on your radar. True crime reads are experiencing a renaissance, just in time for summer. According to new research from digital magazine and subscription app Readly, two-thirds of Brits say they will read the genre over the summer, with nearly half of readers excited to read about high-profile crimes with major twists and turns. Back-to-back celebrity trials and the release of TV shows based on tragic cases are no doubt putting crime on the mind for many. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, as some psychologists suggest true crime is a 'coping mechanism' for many. If you're stumped on where to get started or want to get ahead of the major film and TV releases of the year, here are the true crime books that should be on your radar. I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara Many know I'll Be Gone in the Dark thanks to the brilliant six-part documentary series from HBO that was based on the book. But even if you've already seen the show, true crime journalist Michelle McNamara's detailed investigation into The Golden State Killer will leave you gripping the pages. What's your favourite true crime read? Let us know your recommendations in the comments. McNamara took on the case nearly three decades after the elusive serial rapist-turned-murdered who terrorised California disappeared. While she died tragically in the middle of her investigation, the book showcases her determination to seek justice for her victims but is also a meditation on one woman's obsession. The Five: The Untold Lives of The Women Killed by Jack The Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold The infamy of Jack the Ripper is well-documented, but the women whose lives he claimed have been shamefully unexplored until Hallie Rubenhold's The Five. Rubenhold's work centres on the unique lives of the victims - Polly, Annie, Elizabeth, Catherine and Mary-Jane - and highlights the misogyny behind the Ripper myth. The Five is a captivating biography of Victorian womanhood and the poverty and abuse that coloured their lives. The damning study has won numerous awards including the Baillie Gifford Prize 2019 and was shortlisted for the Wolfson History Prize 2020. Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe Showcasing exceptional reporting from Patrick Radden Keefe (who went on to pen Empire of Pain about the opioid crisis and the role of the Sackler family), Say Nothing starts with the disappearance of a mother of ten, Jean McConville, in 1970s Belfast. But this is more than just a story of one woman's disappearance. Keefe masterfully puts the crime in the larger context of The Troubles and weaves in portraits of various Irish Republican Army members, including the infamous Price sisters. Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann Killers of the Flower Moon tells the story of some of the members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma, who were the richest people per capita in the world in the 1920s. That is until, one by one, the Osage were mysteriously killed off - along with anyone that attempted to investigate the deaths. Only just created, the FBI worked with an undercover team to expose what turned out to be one of the most egregious conspiracies in American history. The star-studded Scorsese-directed film of the same name is also compelling but Grann's masterful writing should not be missed. The Red Parts by Maggie Nelson Maggie Nelson's memoir, The Red Parts, documents how the murder case of her aunt was reopened after three decades after the discovery of new DNA findings. But the new evidence did more than just reopen the investigation and trial, it also revealed old wounds for Nelson and her family. The provocative account highlights American's obsession with violence and missing white women, as well as themes of grief and immense empathy. Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee by Casey Cep Furious Hours sheds light on the mysterious years after Harper Lee published To Kill a Mockingbird when she worked on a true crime book. Despite spending a year in her home state of Alabama to cover the trial of the Reverend Willie Maxwell for the murder of his family, Lee never published her story. Casey Cep's book details the story that Harper Lee wanted to write and why it never saw the light of day.
Daily Mirror
02-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Expert shares best book genre for your mental health - it's not what you think
A new survey reveals that there is a boom in the true crime genre ahead of summer as Brits cope with a destabilising world by solving crimes in their downtime New research suggests that the undeniable appetite for true crime is expanding from podcasts and docuseries into books. Newspaper and magazine subscription platforms are reinvesting in the genre, expecting a particular boost ahead of summer. According to a recent survey from digital magazine and subscription app Readly, two-thirds of Brits said they will read true crime this summer. The platform shares that interest in true crime is high, with 74% of people choosing to read the category as it records the highest average reading times across several genres on its app. The pervasive interest is no surprise considering how expansive the genre is, covering everything from high-profile robberies, serial and domestic murders to playful portraits of white-collar criminals. According to Readly's survey, when it comes to the nature of crimes people follow, 47% read high-profile crimes with major twists, 41% chose to read about unmasked serial killers and 35% are interested in criminals who lead double lives. 'Interest in reading around crime past and present has grown in recent years and true crime themed lifestyle, history and celebrity magazines are amongst some of the most read on the Readly app in terms of reading time,' says Chris Couchman, head of content at Readly. Part of the reason that interest may be spiking ahead of summer could have to do with the high-profile criminal cases that have dominated news coverage this year. 2025 has seen some major A-list court proceedings, including the ASAP Rocky criminal case, the beginning of Kim Kardashian 's robbery proceedings in Paris and the ongoing Diddy trials. But beyond the non-stop courthouse coverage putting crime on the brain, the fascination with the genre can also be a response to a destabilising world. Professor Donna Youngs, criminal and investigative psychologist says that reading true crime can be a way for people to cope or come to grips with some scary realities. 'For some people, when they solve a 'whodunnit', they are actually reassuring themselves that they are clever enough that they would never get caught out. Other people want to know every detail of how a particularly notorious serial killer operated as their way of dealing with the fear these crimes generate," Youngs said. The Readly survey also revealed that 61% of people said they read true crime to understand criminal minds and the psychological aspect and 40% read for the desire for justice and exposing wrongful convictions. The reason many may be picking up true crime books instead of plugging into their favourite influencer detective series or podcast may have to do with the growing backlash against ' TikTok detectives '. To monopolise on the growing and consistent interest in the genre, Readly has launched a true crime retro series with The Evening Standard, featuring some of the most well known crimes across history such as Jack the Ripper, The Great Train Robbery, Serial killer Fred West House of Horrors and The Pearl Robbery.
Metro
23-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Metro
This is how to get 2 months of Readly - totally free!
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more Need something new to scroll through this spring? Whether you're into fashion, fitness, interiors, tech or travel, Readly has thousands of magazines and newspapers to keep you entertained – and the best part? You can try it completely free for two months. With over 8,000 titles on the app, including big names like Vogue, The Independent, Women's Health, T3, and New Scientist, there's always something new to flick through. From daily news to weekend reads and far more niche interests, it's all in one place and there's no stacks of paper required. Readly is a digital subscription service that offers unlimited access to over 7,000 magazines and newspapers for a monthly fee. It allows users to read current and past issues across various genres on smartphones, tablets, or desktops. The service supports up to five user profiles per account and includes offline reading. It's ideal for avid readers looking for a wide range of publications in one convenient app. Get your trial period here The 2-month free trial means you're covered well into summer, and there's no strings or contract, so you can cancel your subscription anytime. More Trending Whether you're getting stuck into DIY, looking for ways to spruce up the garden, or need some travel inspiration in mags like Wanderlust and National Geographic Traveller, Readly's got you covered. Plus, one account gives you up to five profiles, so everyone in the family can get stuck into something they love – all for free. It's easy to use – just download the app and start reading instantly. You can access your favourite titles online or offline, and since there's no contract and you can cancel anytime, there's zero pressure to stick around after your trial ends. So whether you're relaxing in the garden, commuting, or just taking a break with a cuppa, now's the perfect time to give Readly a try. Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Share your views in the comments below MORE: Top 6 items any first-time buyer should have on their shopping list as chosen by our shopping expert MORE: Boots launches Premium Hair Edit Beauty Box – and it'll save you over £150 MORE: From job interviews to first dates – why Aligne has you covered and fashion expert-selected wardrobe essentials
