Latest news with #familyactivities
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
I've saved thousands by bagging FREE days out with my two kids & on summer holidays – here's my best tips
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 3 3 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. "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."
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
English holiday resort dubbed a ‘posh Center Parcs for less money' has 18th century manor house and 40 kids activities
A HOLIDAY resort in the UK has been compared to a fancy Center Parcs "without all of the extra costs" - and it's cheaper in the summer holidays. Previously called Highbullen Hotel, it reopened in 2023 as The Mole Resort. 7 7 The resort has more than 40 activities to choose from, for both adults and kids. And unlike Center Parcs, lots of them are all included in the price. This includes sports such as tennis, pickleball and football, as well as petanque and croquet. Kids will also love the Trim Trail, an outdoor obstacle course, as well as the wooden kids playground and indoor games room. Fitness classes such as yoga and aqua fit are on offer, along with walking and running routes. A gym and sauna are also onsite, with both indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Premium activities that cost extra include everything from archery and axe throwing to bushcraft skills and pottery painting. And in the evenings kids can enjoy everything from movie nights to bingo and quiz. For when you get hungry, there is a restaurant on-site which serves everything from breakfast to dinner as well as snacks and cream teas. Or you can order a meal pack to be delivered to your door, with book prepared meals or ingredients for breakfast and BBQs. First images revealed of Center Parcs Scotland village When it comes to staying onsite, there are the wooden lodges with views over the valley, as well as hotel rooms in the Manor House. And we've found that stays are cheaper than when staying at Center Parcs. For example, a four-night stay on June 9 for a family can be found for £500 at The Mole Resort. The same dates for a Center Parcs holiday costs £629 for the four nights. Even in the summer holidays, a four-night stay starts from £1,400 at the Mole Resort, while Center Parc starts from £1,549. 7 7 7 When you factor in the free activities at The Mole Resort, it is a much bigger saving. People have raved about the resort for being a fancier Center Pacs. One person wrote: "Probably the best resort in the south! "We've been to quiet a few lodges and holiday parks including Center Parcs and this is by far the most luxurious." Another agreed: "I'd say this place is a posh version of Center Parcs." A third added: "The resort is like Center Parcs without the charges for all the extras." Other praised it for not being overcrowded or busy either. What is it like to stay at The Mole Resort The Sun's Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski visited shortly after it reopened. The activity resort truly showcases the pretty patch of British countryside it occupies — from its rustic wooden lodges overlooking vast landscapes, through to its deer observatory, perched on a steep hill with shutters that open out on to the damp, quiet woodland below where wildlife flourishes. We were staying in a Valley View lodge, which certainly lived up to its name, propped up on tall stilts and offering uninterrupted views of a patchwork fields, and grazing cows. Having our fridge pre-stocked with breakfast goodies, such as fresh milk, bread, butter, eggs, veg and bacon, meant that we could spend less time at the on-site farm shop and more hours getting stuck into the stuff that makes the Mole Resort so special — the never-ending list of activities on offer. If you're visiting with kids, there are parent-and-child sessions for archery and axe-throwing, plus there's foot golf, tennis, pickleball, football and nature classes such as fire-lighting, bird box-crafting and den-building. More of a wellness warrior? There's an indoor and outdoor pool, as well as a spa offering all the standard massages and facials, through to reiki therapy and hopi ear candles. The place was serenely empty for the time of year and we barely passed another soul until we reached Pebbleridge Kitchen — dishing up fresh crab sarnies to the hungry punters. We've also rounded up some other Center Parcs alternative holiday resorts in the UK. And here's how you could save more than £1,000 by going to Center Parcs in Europe - even including flights. 7
The Sun
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Stacey Solomon reveals the free activity she gets her kids doing daily during half term – it keeps them busy for hours
KEEPING kids entertained during the school holidays can be tough - but Stacey Solomon revealed she has a trick up her sleeve. The mum-of-five revealed that her children love one free activity that keeps them busy for hours. 5 5 Stacey took to Instagram and shared how her kids are following in her footsteps in doing gardening at their £1.2million Pickle Cottage. Sharing a photo of three of her kids, she wrote: 'Happy Sunday from the gardening club. 'The bug is catching on. 'Every morning they want to get straight out into the garden with me. I love it!' The Loose Women star, 35, also shared how she has been spending the bank holiday painting an adorable bee hive for the garden, and she also has a vegetable patch. In a recent clip on Instagram, she told fans: "Ages ago I was like, 'I'm going to get bees'. "But I thought I'm not getting bees unless I really study it properly and learn everything about it. "So I found this incredible lady called Helen who does beekeeping courses, there's a theory and a practical. "I booked myself in for the course. Teddy got really sick and I said to the lady, 'my dog's not very well, I can't leave him for too long, can we do some of the course at my house?' "And she said 'we can do the theory at your house then you can come and do the practical where I've got my hive'." Stacey Solomon reveals ANOTHER new addition to Pickle Cottage But Stacey explained that, while at Pickle Cottage, her plumber Mark told them he'd just driven past a hive of bees, adding: "Helen was like, 'let's go get them, that could be your colony'." Despite Stacey's protests that she "wasn't ready", Helen pushed on and they went to collect the bees to bring them back to Pickle Cottage. Stacey then proudly showed off the hive, adding: "I have my very own Pickle Cottage bee hive and it's the best thing ever." Other animals who call the property home include four ducks - Daisy, Delilah, Daphne and Delphine - and dogs Teddy and Peanut. The TV Star recently left fans stunned when she took to social media to rant after her BBC show Sort Your Life Out didn't win a gong at the ceremony. The presenter didn't hold back in an emotional video shared to Instagram, in which she confessed to being heartbroken that her team missed out. The series, which began airing in 2021, had been shortlisted in the Factual Entertainment category but ultimately lost to Rob and Rylan's Grand Tour. Although Stacey offered congratulations to Rylan Clark and Rob Rinder, she made it clear how disappointed she felt. 5 She told her followers: 'We didn't win a Bafta. And I know I'm supposed to take it gracefully like a champ but, I'll be honest, I'm devastated! 'I'm not handling it very well, I'm not taking it very gracefully - I'm devastated! I'm devastated for our whole team, like I'm so gutted for our team.' After her TV Bafta rant, insiders told how Stacey was "upset" and didn't want to come across as "ungrateful". A source told OK! Magazine: "The negative comments really upset her, she takes them to heart, she never wants to be seen as ungrateful, because she's not. "She's a really hard worker and gives her all to everything, so it's devastating when it doesn't pay off, and it understandably makes her worry." Inside Stacey Solomon's Pickle Cottage STACEY Solomon splashed out a massive £1.2million on Pickle Cottage - and Joe Swash didn't put in a penny. She solely stumped up the cash for their Tudor-style Essex property, which is set in 2.5 acres and boasts an outdoor swimming pool. The former X Factor star and Joe live there with Zachary, Leighton, Rex, Rose, and Belle. It's not known why Stacey went alone, as ex-EastEnders actor Joe is reportedly worth over £1million, but has also been made bankrupt twice in 2009 and 2013. Shrewd Stacey has shown she's a dab hand at running a wide range of successful businesses including TV, books, clothing and homeware ranges. Her main firm Key Map Entertainments is worth just shy of £3million - and she's also branched out into cosmetics. The former X Factor contestant registered the company Belle & Rose Ltd, named after her youngest two daughters.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Foodie families promised tasty treats at Bradford event
A free food festival which has previously attracted 25,000 visitors to Bradford city centre is to return for the bank holiday would showcase an array of dishes from across the globe, as well as a host of local brews and live entertainment, organisers on Saturday 24 May and Sunday 25 May, this year's event would see a special focus on family and child-friendly activities, they Spencer, Bradford Council's event manager for the festival, said the food and drink scene was "really key to Bradford's cultural history" and the weekend would be a "brilliant" showcase for it. "It's so exciting to bring food and drink back to the city centre," she said."We've got so much to offer in Bradford and with this year, with so many events going on, it's brilliant to bring lots of people to one space, try what we've got, see what we've got. "There's something for everyone - loads of things for families, loads for people who just want to get out and try something new or come back and try the stuff they tried when we last had the festival." Food Festival events will be held across City Park and Centenary Square, with the former playing host to family and child-friendly activities, organisers activities would include a series of masterclasses and workshops geared towards children, held from 12:00 BST to 19:00 BST on both on Sunday, Zaheer Khan, head chef at Bradford's homegrown MyLahore chain, is expected to deliver a cooking masterclass. According to organisers, an array of international cuisines and scores of local brews for people to sample would be available in Centenary Square on both would include Tunisian desserts, Greek Cypriot and Vietnamese street food as well as an array of new and familiar names representing the local culinary scene. Live DJs would keep the crowds entertained into the night, with the bar area remaining open until 21:00 BD was originally launched in 2023, and Bradford Council announced its return at the end of last year as part of the UK City of Culture 2025 Spencer said: "The food and drink scene is really key to Bradford's cultural history. There's so much diversity. There are so many interesting things to try."This weekend, it's really just the tip of the iceberg and there's so much going on with City of Culture this year based around food." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Local Business Leader Lin Honeycutt Calls for Stronger Community Investment in Seasonal Events and Small Farms in Raleigh
Owner of Fieldstream Farm and The Holiday Light Store urges residents and leaders to support locally-run experiences and agricultural spaces that bring people together and strengthen local identity RALEIGH, NC / / May 19, 2025 / Raleigh native and longtime entrepreneur Lin Honeycutt is calling for greater community awareness and support for seasonal family events and small-scale farms, which he believes are essential to preserving local culture, stimulating the economy, and giving families meaningful ways to connect. "As someone who's lived and worked in Raleigh my whole life, I've seen how much our community values shared experiences," said Honeycutt, owner of Fieldstream Farm and The Holiday Light Store. "But we're losing a lot of those spaces because we're not thinking long-term about what they give us-not just economically, but socially." According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, North Carolina has lost more than 1 million acres of farmland since 1997. At the same time, cities like Raleigh are growing rapidly-with Wake County gaining roughly 62 people per day according to 2023 census estimates. "Everyone loves the new restaurants and tech hubs, but we also need places where families can park, walk, look at lights, and just be together," said Honeycutt, referencing the popularity of his annual Fieldstream Farm Christmas Light Show, which draws thousands of cars each year to its 2 million+ light display. Beyond entertainment, Lin emphasizes the importance of preserving local agriculture. His farm grows hay, tobacco, and raises chickens-and hosts over 50 community events annually, from weddings to celebrations of life. "These types of businesses are more than just income-they're anchors," Honeycutt said. "They keep land open, they create jobs, and they offer people space to breathe. But they need consistent support to stay afloat." He's encouraging residents to: Support locally-owned seasonal events and venues, not just large commercial options. Buy from local farms and vendors, especially those that produce in Wake County. Speak up at city planning meetings when rezoning proposals threaten green space or agricultural land. Start their own backyard gardens, seasonal traditions, or community events. "You don't have to own a farm to protect what makes Raleigh special," Honeycutt added. "You just have to show up. Go to a farm. Bring your kids to a light show. Buy eggs down the road instead of the big box store. That's how we build something lasting." For Honeycutt, the ask isn't about himself-it's about ensuring the next generation has the same kinds of community-rooted experiences he's spent decades trying to protect. "If we lose our local spaces, we lose part of who we are," he said. "This is about holding on to the good things we already have, and making sure they're still around tomorrow." Media Contact Lin Honeycuttinfo@ SOURCE: Lin Honeycutt View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
