Latest news with #summerholidays
The Sun
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
How to save big on theme parks this summer with TWO for the price of one and an unlimited monthly pass
THEME park enthusiasts need to take advantage of this two-for-one offer over the summer holidays. Thrill-seekers wanting to spend their break on adrenaline-pumping rides can visit two theme parks for the price of one, or get a three-month pass to use throughout July and August on unlimited rides and attractions. 5 5 The new summer offer has been launched by Merlin Entertainments across four of the UK's top theme parks - Alton Towers, Legoland Windsor, Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park. If you book your theme park trip between July 21, 2025, and August 17, 2025, you can visit two parks for the price of one. The tickets are called Twice the Fun and have savings of at least £29 per person. It is the perfect way to entertain kids during the six-week-long summer holidays. To bag the deal, make sure to select a 'Twice the Fun' ticket at any of the four park's websites which cost from £32. The offer can either be used at the same park, or you can mix and match. Dates are flexible, too, and visitors can redeem their second visit at any point before September 30, 2025. To claim the second theme park visit you'll still need to pre-book your visit using your second 'free' ticket which will have a barcode that can be used to reserve your slot at the park. For anyone who wants to go back to the theme park more than twice this summer, you might be interested in the three-month pass. Alton Towers unveils 'highest ride of its kind' in TV advert 5 5 This offer applies to the same four parks - Thorpe Park, Alton Towers, Chessington, and LEGOLAND Windsor. Tickets cost £59 per person and the offer allows unlimited access to rides, shows, and attractions during the summer. The main difference with this pass is that it's for one park only - you can't mix and match. Once chosen, you can use it in that particular park whenever you like during the selected three-month period. If you have trouble deciding which park to visit, one Sun writer headed to Alton Towers to try out the thrilling Nemesis Reborn rollercoaster. He also checked out the Rita ride which goes from 0-60mph in 2.5 seconds as well as the more chilled out Gangsta Granny ride and Runaway Mine Train. Another checked out . There are gentler rides, or the Croc Drop which plunges 82 feet. And of course it's where you'll find the world's only Jumanji coaster which flips you upside down. At Legoland, there's a Minifigure Speedway as well as the Lego-themed indoor golf experience. Car enthusiasts can head over to Lego Ferrari Build and Race, an interactive attraction that sees guests create their own Ferrari race car. One fan of Thorpe Park has been going for 22 years and maintains it's even better now that she's an adult. She admits that Colossus is still just as terrifying, and there are plenty of other scary rides too like Nemesis, Stealth, Saw: The Ride and The Swarm. Here's more on the new dining packages available at Alton Towers. And here are the UK's best theme parks with record-breaking rollercoasters. 5
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The busiest road during summer holidays revealed - as major 55-mile motorway tops the list
As schools finish for the summer, plenty of families are preparing to head on holiday and make memories with their loved ones. Many will drive to their destination during the six-week holidays. From cramming cases and little ones into the car and heading to the airport, to hitting the road and spending time along the coast, plenty of people will be behind the wheel. However, be prepared for some hurdles along the way in the form of dreaded traffic. Welcome Break has revealed the roads that are most likely to be heaving with cars this summer. These are the roads that are set to be the busiest in July and August. 1. M11 in London / Hertfordshire A major motorway, the M11 is often used by travellers heading to and from the East of England. It's a perfect route for those jetting off on holiday from Stansted Airport, but be prepared for traffic as this road takes the number one spot on the list. 2. M40 in Oxfordshire Families may take this route when driving through the heart of the country between London and Birmingham. However, at number two it's expected to be busy with lots of other cars taking the same trip, both northbound and southbound. 3. M3 in Hampshire The M3 stretches across the south-west of the country and is a popular route for those hoping to enjoy the British seaside to make their way along the south coast. Be prepared, however, to face traffic along the way as Welcome Break places it third on the list. 4. M40 in Warwickshire A major motorway in the UK and a common route for those heading to the idyllic Cotswolds for a holiday, the M40 is set to be busy this summer. 5. M25 in the Home Counties Located close to London, it's used for those wanting to escape the city for the summer and others wanting to embrace it. Holidaymakers can expect busy traffic on the M25 during the summer, and should be prepared to wait in long queues as they make their way to their destination.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The character meet-and-greets at Bluewater this summer from Bluey to Peppa Pig
Bluey, Paddington, and Papa Smurf are among the characters delighting children at Bluewater this summer. The Kent shopping centre is hosting a series of free meet-and-greet events every Thursday from July 24 to August 28, featuring popular children's characters and designed to keep families entertained throughout the school holidays. Each day includes five sessions, one of which is adapted for children with special educational needs. James Waugh, centre director at Bluewater, said: "We know families in and around Kent are looking for fun events to keep the little ones entertained through the summer holidays, so we're pleased to offer a free, all-weather option here at Bluewater. "We're looking forward to seeing lots of smiling faces at the centre this summer." The full line-up begins with Papa Smurf and Clumsy Smurf on July 24, followed by Peppa Pig, Mummy Pig, and baby pig Evie on July 31. Bluey and Bingo appear on August 7, with Gabby's Dollhouse on August 14, Hey Duggee on August 21, and Paddington rounding off the summer on August 28. Read more All 24 songs Oasis will sing at London's Wembley Stadium - Full tour setlist All the family shows and activities this summer at Orchard Theatre Dartford Beckenham choir releases 'powerful' cover of chart-topping song Tickets are free but must be booked in advance. Visitors can register for Bluewater's PLUS+ scheme to receive ticket information and booking links. In addition to the character events, families can enjoy Hangloose Adventure, Dinotropolis, the Bluewater Nature Trail, and the Showcase Cinema de Lux. The centre also offers a wide range of family-friendly dining options, including Wagamama, Pho, and Wingstop.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Packing for the Cyclades or Cornwall? How to dress for every holiday mood
It's that time of year when everyone is giddy with excitement for summer holidays. For some of us, part of the anticipation is planning what to wear. It doesn't matter how many cotton voile kaftans or linen shirts you own, it's almost impossible to resist scouring early summer sales for new swimsuits, sundresses and sandals – a kind of retail 'holiday goggles', if you will. Perhaps we do it because different holidays call for different aesthetics. Take my upcoming stay with relatives in the south of France: for weeks, I've been trawling Vinted for exactly the right kind of dress for strolling around Provençal villages – my efforts were rewarded when I stumbled across a white cotton Dôen number with just the right degree of 'milkmaid' appeal. If Cornwall or Devon is more your speed, a degree of meteorological prep for all eventualities is required. Chunky cotton knits are ideal for throwing over shorts and swimsuits if temperatures drop, along with a waterproof in case the heavens decide to open. Beyond the practicalities, a subtle nod to nautical style also feels appropriate. A Spanish holiday might call for a more bohemian feel, with embroidered blouses and handmade espadrilles, while a Greek island escape suits a wardrobe that shares the same unfussy, minimal appeal as a port-side taverna at sundown. It's a literal take on holiday dressing – a bit like wearing florals to the Chelsea Flower Show or crisp whites to Wimbledon – but it's also part of getting into the spirit of wherever you're going. Eating your bodyweight in gelato in Italy or having a pastel de nata at every opportunity in Portugal isn't something you can't do elsewhere – it's just more fun in the right context. Of course, curating your holiday wardrobe is only half the challenge. Fitting it all into a Ryanair-approved carry-on is quite another. Succeed, and you've won the holiday season before you've even set off. French girl summer This look takes its aesthetic cues from Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin in the 1960s. Tie a scarf around your hair, toss your belongings into a wicker basket and, very quickly, you'll start to resemble the sort of person who knows their mer from their mère. Nobody understands this better than Morgane Sezalory, founder of Sézane, who likes to escape to Cap Ferrat with her family. 'I always gravitate towards simplicity – timeless, essential pieces that I can mix and match throughout the season. A crisp white shirt or a well-cut pair of shorts are staples for me,' she says. Accessories help these wardrobe staples transition into evening: 'A beautiful pearl necklace like the Morgane or a statement belt like the Selena can completely transform an outfit from day to night, especially when worn with a pair of heeled sandals,' she adds. Greek island goddess Silk Astrea dress, £350, Hansine Pared-back and effortless should be the watchwords when it comes to dressing for the Greek islands – the sartorial equivalent of crystal-clear water lapping at a pebbled beach. Think sun-bleached linen, traditional leather sandals, or one of Hansine's billowy silk dresses, loved by Kate Moss and Sadie Frost. The label's founder, Hansine Johnston, was born in Greece and created her collection with island summers in mind. They make for wonderfully lightweight packing: 'I always say that when you're in the Greek sunshine and light, you see colour in a completely different way,' she says. 'I pack five or six Rhodes dresses, some in neutrals and darks, and others in super-light colours. As the dresses fold up so small, I can honestly fit almost two weeks' worth of looks into one hand-luggage suitcase – with a bit of room left to bring back treats. Since I often visit the Cyclades islands, which are really windy, I love how our fabrics and prints on the silk cover-ups move in the breeze.' 'Dolce vita' dressing Gingerbread cotton-blend midi dress, £790, La Double J x MyTheresa In Italy, maximalism is the order of the day – at least, if you ask JJ Martin, the American-born, Milan-based founder of La DoubleJ. Martin's collection is a celebration of colour and print that truly comes into its own in the land of pizza, pasta and la dolce vita. Different parts of the country call for different moods, though. 'I just spent a weekend in Como where we had lots of very chic meals with Comasco families – very classic Italian – and there I was wearing a classic printed shirtdress, but very tidy and neat,' she says. 'When I'm spending my weekends in Forte dei Marmi I'm on the beach most of the time. The Salt'n'Vinegar knit set is super chic and easy – the perfect beach day look.' Martin is something of a master when it comes to the myriad ways to dress for the heat: 'I'm heading to Stromboli in August where it's going to be blazing hot. There, I'll be bringing a lot of cotton pieces – we'll essentially be sitting on a volcano, after all... At my ten-day Vipassana retreat in Tuscany, it'll be hotter than Hades so I'll just be living in the new Meditation tee in terrycloth.' Nautical by nature When it comes to a British holiday, you have to be prepared for all eventualities, advises Pip Durell, the former Vogue stylist and founder of women's shirting brand With Nothing Underneath. Durell grew up in Devon and returns as often as she can. 'The unpredictability of the weather is actually what I love,' she says. 'Taking a brisk dip is obviously preferable in golden sunshine, but an unexpected downpour? Well, that just justifies a fish and chips lunch – the Winking Prawn in Salcombe is my choice of shelter.' Naturally, her wardrobe is dominated by her own designs, chosen for their practicality. Shirt and shorts sets, along with a cotton knit for tying around the waist, just in case. '[Seersucker] is perfect for the heat, and in a pre-crinkled material that can be pulled out of a case and worn straight away, no ironing required. The other set I always reach for is our hemp... in a slightly weightier material that gets softer with every wear. Hemp is thermodynamic, which means it keeps you cool when it's hot and warm when it's cold – ideal by the coast. I like to mix up my blues and pair them with Birkenstocks. That's my summer uniform.' Spanish señorita For some, summer isn't complete without a visit to Spain – whether it's the blustery Atlantic coastline of the north, the bohemian party vibes of Ibiza, or the sandy beaches of the ever-popular south. 'It's a season of joy and vibrant energy, and I like to reflect that in my clothes,' says Montserrat Álvarez, founder of accessories brand Heimat Atlantica. 'Galicia – where my roots are – is always part of my summer. I love the northern coast in summer, especially the small islands scattered across the Rías Baixas. There's something magical about their wild beaches and quiet charm.' For her, a holiday wardrobe includes quintessentially Spanish staples, like rope-soled shoes. 'A crisp white cotton dress, flat espadrilles and silk cotton bandanas for the head are my go-to. And I like to add playful touches with one of our handmade bags.' There's always an element that reminds her of happy holidays past, too: 'A unique souvenir that no one else has, and that instantly transports you back to a special moment.'
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
The ultimate family guide to cutting the cost of the summer holidays – from free childcare to £1 meals
SUMMER holidays are expensive - but there are ways to give your children a magical summer they'll remember forever without spending loads of cash. From free clubs and exercises sessions to cheap cinema trips and even cash you can claim to fund your fun, we explain. The summer holidays cost families an average £175 a week per child, or more than £1,000 over a six-week break, according to childcare provider Coram Family and Childcare. Sun Savers editor Lana Clements explains how you can have fun on a budget. Free clubs and food Families who usually receive free school meals can tap into the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. Backed by England football star Marcus Rashford, this is offered by most councils in England to help provide childcare, activities and healthy meals to children from low-income families. It can be used to sign up children to sports, music and arts clubs, as well as enjoy a nutritious meal each day for free. The help on offer varies by council. For example, in some areas you could be offered holiday club places for the equivalent of at least four hours a day. Others may run a standard 8am-3pm day for free. Contact your local authority to see exactly what is available and how to apply. Tax-free childcare If you're a working parent, you can cut the cost of holiday clubs by paying through a tax-free childcare account. Many parents use it to pay for nursery or childcare but forget that it can also be used for some holiday clubs. The scheme gives parents an extra £2 from the government for every £8 paid in if your child is 11 or under and usually lives with you. You can get an extra £2,000 towards costs while parents of disabled children can get up to £4,000 more. You'll qualify if you and your partner (if you have one) each expect to earn at least £2,539 over the next three months. Or £2,080 if you're aged 18 to 20, and £1,570 if you're under 18. However, you could earn less and qualify if you're self-employed and started your business less than 12 months ago. Ask camps if they accept tax-free childcare before booking on. You can also find an approved list of childcare providers at You'll find that your local council, school or nursery will usually have a list of local camps and clubs happening. I'm always looking for free activites Mum-of-three Genevieve Roberts reveals how she manages to cut down costs over the summer holidays. The author lives in Hove, East Susses with Astrid, 8, Xavi, 6, and Juno, 2. She told The Sun: 'Entertaining the kids over the summer holidays can get expensive, so, living on the coast, I like to take advantage of the free activities on my doorstep. "Taking three children to do activities can add up to be quite an expense. I could easily spend £100 in a week during the holidays by taking them to paid play centres and things like that. "Instead the children and I love to spend the day at the beach, swimming, playing games and building sandcastles. "To save money, I make sure to avoid expensive beachfront food, always making sure to bring a packed lunch and plenty of snacks." During the summer holidays, Genevieve's savings add up to £600. 'I'm lucky to have work flexibility which enables me to balance the pressures of childcare with long-term financial planning, such as building my pension. "To maximise time with my kids over the holidays, I often opt to work in the evenings, freeing up my days to enjoy the sun and have quality family time. "I save at least £100 a week by working this way and saving on holiday clubs." "Over a six-week holiday period it really adds up." The money she saves goes towards securing her financial future including saving into her pension. Kids CAN eat for free There are loads of chains that run "kids eat free" or "kids eat for £1" offers over the school holidays. You can use these to enjoy a treat meal out for the family for less and you can take a break from cooking lunch or dinner. However, it's worth being aware that some are a better deal than others. Often an adult will need to buy a meal or spend a certain amount to qualify for each 'free' meal which can be a little pricey. But this isn't always the case. 4 One of the best offers is Asda where children can eat for just £1 in its cafes. You'll also get a free Ella's baby food pouch with any purchase for children under 18 months old. The kid's menu includes penne pasta with meatballs, fish fingers, chicken nuggets and all-day breakfast. The hot meal also comes with a piece of fruit. There's no minimum spend or requirement to purchase an adult meal to get the offer. This deal is not limited to the holidays so handy to remember for weekends too. I'd also pick out Dunelm's Pausa cafes where you can get a free mini meal for kids if you spend £4. The offer is available all day every day. Or Ikea offers good value where kids can tuck into Mac n Cheese, soft drink and piece of fruit for 95p at the Swedish chain every day, except Friday, from 11am. You can also get cut-price food through apps that distribute perfectly good grub that would otherwise be binned by local restaurants and shops. Olio offers up items that can be taken on a first come first served basis. Or through Too Good To Go you can get 'surprise bags' of food at a discounted price. However, you won't know what you are getting beforehand so best for non-fussy eaters. Full list of kids eat free offers THERE are plenty of chains to choose from offering kids eat free programmes during school holidays. Choose from any of the following... Angus Steakhouse – Kids under 8 and under eat free from the children's menu when an adult orders a meal; available daily from 12pm–5pm. Ask Italian - During school holidays, kids eat for £1 when an adult buys a main. You'll need to get a code for the promotion by filling in a short form on the chain's website. Asda Cafés – Kids' meals for £1 all day, every day across 205 stores nationwide. There's no minimum spend needed. Bar + Block – Up to two children under 16 eat breakfast free with each adult buying one all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast for £10.99. Beefeater – Two kids under 16 can eat free with every adult breakfast bought for £10.99. Bellia Italia - Kids eat free every Thursday and for £1 until 6pm, from Sunday to Wednesday when an adult meal is bought. Bill's – Up to two kids eat free from Monday to Friday, when one adult orders any main dish breakfast, lunch or dinner. Brewdog - One free kids meal for under 13s, when purchasing an adults main meal over summer holidays. Brewers Fayre - Two kids under 16 eat free with every adult breakfast for £10.99. Dobbies Garden Centres – Kids eat for £1 with the purchase of an adult main course,available every day. Chiquito - One kid eats free with every adult main purchased overthe school holidays. Côte Brasserie - Children aged 12 and under can tuck into two complimentary courses when parents spend a minimum of £20 over the school holidays. Farmhouse Inns – Two kids eat free with one paying adult. Franco Manca - One kid 12 and under get a complimentary individual kids pizza for every full-priced adult main meal from Monday to Thursday during the holidays. Frankie & Benny's - Kids can eat for free every day when any adult meal is purchased. IKEA – Kids meals start at 95p for pasta and tomato sauce available daily from 11am in restaurants. Las Iguanas – Kids under 12 eat free with the My Las Iguanas App during the holidays. Morrisons Cafés – One free kids' meal with any adult meal over £4.50. The offer is available daily. Pausa Cafés at Dunelm – Kids eat free with every £4 spent in the café all day, everyday. Premier Inn – Up to two kids eat free breakfast with an adult breakfast, £10.99. PIzza Express - Kids get a free meal Monday to Friday when an adult meal is purchased during school holidays. Sizzling Pubs – Kids eat for £1 with the purchase of an adult main meal, Monday to Friday between 3–7pm. Tesco - Kids eat free, worth £4, when you purchase anything from the menu including fruit for 65p if you're a Clubcard holder TGI Fridays – Kids eat free with any adult main meal for Stripes loyalty members, available all day, every day. The Real Greek – Kids under 12 eat free with every £15 adult spend on Sundays only. Yo! Sushi - Kids eat free all day with a full-paying adult during local school holidays. Whitbread Inns - Two kids under 16 eat breakfast free with every adult full breakfast, £20.99. Cheap cinema tickets Heading to the flicks for a day is always a winner for kids - especially when the weather isn't cooperating and the heavens have opened. Check perks that you can already access through as banks, insurers and phone providers all offer deals. For example, Vodafone customers get four Odeon tickets for £16 through VeryMe Rewards on the MyVodafone app. Three customers can use the Three+ rewards app for £3 Cineworld tickets. And O2 users are offered two cinema tickets at Vue for £6 or 4 for £12 Vue tickets on the Priority app every Monday at 10am. Otherwise, try an experiences website offering discounted cinema tickets nationwide. And very importantly take your own refreshments to the cinema to avoid extortionately expensive costs for drinks and snacks. Free museums There are plenty of free museums to visit across the UK, which is a great resource to tap into, especially when the weather isn't great. In London some of the top museums can be accessed without paying a penny including The National History Museum and The Science Museum. Just beware that some exhibitions or selected areas can charged. However, there are more museums in the capital that are free to enter than charge. But it's not just London where there are freebies - you should have somewhere free to visit near you, no matter where in the country you live including the The Museum of Liverpool and the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. There's a full list of free museums at Just remember to pack a few snacks and drinks to avoid buying pricey refreshments on the go. Rainy day activities Fine and sunny weather typically makes it easier to keep kids entertained for cheap. Buy when the weather takes a turn you can try one of these activities instead... Library Join your local library for free and you can easily while away a few hours picking out books and reading with children. You'll also usually find a summer reading challenge from your local library where kids can try to complete a list of suitable books - helping to keep them off screens. Many larger libraries will also put on free events such as story time or sing along sessions. Get Baking Hit two birds with one stone and create some tasty and nutritious grub while keeping the kids entertained. Tesco Real Food is a gold mine for family friendly recipes. Try this fresh pasta recipe and serve with their favourite sauce: Add 200g of 00 grade flour (1kg bag £1.60 at Tesco) into a large bowl, then create a well in the centre. Mix two beaten eggs in until you have a dough. Tip on to a clean surface and knead for ten minutes until it becomes a smooth ball. Put it back in a bowl and leave to rest for 20 minutes. Using children's scissors, get the kids to cut off small chunks of pasta and you can place directly into a pan of boiling water. Then Cook for around seven or eight minutes. Cheap crafts Crafts are always a winner for kids. Save dry and clean recycling items, such as cardboard boxes, and ask kids to junk model their creations. You can help younger ones with sticking or cutting pieces. You can also download free colouring sheets from the Hobbycraft website. The retailer also has stacks of easy craft ideas that you can try your hand at with children. Or you can make ceramic style hand prints or decoarations from an easy salt dough recipe. Simply mix 250g of plain flour with 125g of table salt and 125ml of water. Then roll out and use cookie cutters or a child-friendly knife to create shapes. When finished bake on a lined baking sheet for three hours at 50 degrees. Movie afternoon Creating a cosy den for watching films is a great way to make an everyday activity a bit more fun and exciting. Use cushions, duvets and blankets in the lounge and maybe some fairy lights if you have some. You could then cook up a big bowl of popcorn together and mix in favourite sweets as a special treat. Loyalty pays If you collect Clubcard points at Tesco, the summer holidays are the perfect opportunity to cash in. Points are swapped to vouchers which can be spent at Tesco for face value, but if you choose to spend with a reward partner, the value doubles turning £2.50 into £5 to spend. You can use the vouchers on a load of family fun days out including big attraction venues including Thorpe Park, Cadbury World and Colchester Zoo. Taking a family of four (over 1.2m tall) costs well over £100 to go to Thorpe Park during peak periods so the savings are substantial. Meanwhile, Nectar points can be exchanged for tickets to attractions such as Longleat Safari Park and other family-friendly destinations. One Nectar point is worth 0.5p, meaning 100 points are worth 50p and 200 points are worth £1 at Sainsbury's. Unfortunately, you don't get the option to double up but it can still be a good way to spend those hard saved points. Free attraction tickets You can get 2-for-1 entry at 350 attractions across the UK, making one ticket completely free. This is all through National Rail's Days Out Guide with The London Dungeon, The Blackpool Tower Eye, The ArcelorMittal Orbit, and Warwick Castle among the places you can visit through the initiative. To bag 2-for-1 tickets you will need to travel via train to the destination. 4 First, head to the Days Out Guide website and click on "UK Days Out". Then pick the attraction you'd like to visit and download or print, the 2-for-1 voucher. Vouchers and train tickets will then need to be presented to staff at the venue for the promotion to be accepted. Many local farms or animal sanctuaries offer free open hours where kids can see animals and get up close to tractors and more. For example, The Woodland Farm Trust in London or Goodall's of Tong in Yorkshire. You can find one near you by searching on google or look at Find a freebie There are often loads of small free events happening right under your nose but without a big budget for advertising these can be harder to find. Try searching through for local gems going under the radar. You can filter by activity type, as well as search for only the activities that are free. Facebook also has plenty of suggested events you can scroll through where you can search 'near me' or choose a location, as well as date. And check the notice boards of local supermarkets, gyms, libraries and doctor surgeries. Website also has a tool where you can search for activities by postcode and signup to its newsletter to see whats happening in your area. Turn your outdoor area to a play haven SUN Savers Editor LANA CLEMENTS explains how she has turned her garden into a play area to save money. LAST year I invested in making my garden more entertaining for my four-year-old daughter CAN WE NAME THEM? and six-year-old son. They love heading to the local trampoline park, but it costs more than £20 every time we go. Instead, I bought an 8ft trampoline for £90. Yes, it's a hefty upfront cost and you could probably buy cheaper second hand if you can find one and it takes up a huge space in our garden - but it's hands down the best thing I've bought them. Last summer, they spent hours jumping, burning energy and playing in there. I've made back the £90 easily in saved cash from the trampoline park and soft play sessions. But you don't need to spend that much to transform your outside space. Facebook Marketplace and Car boot sales are great places to start to buy furniture and second-hand toys. My kids also love making 'obstacle courses' out of toys and furniture - or we'll play the 'floor is lava' with a few cushions and mats to jump between. Try handing them a pack of chalk and they'll soon be drawing pictures on a patio. Or challenge them to create a 'bug hotel' out of leaves and sticks. On hot days, you can freeze small toys such as dinosaurs in ice and they'll be entertained and keep cool trying to 'set them free'. You can even turn them into mini gardeners, asking them to help water flowers or planting fruit and veg which they'll love to watch grow. Of course, we are lucky enough to have outside space. You can find shared garden spaces nearby or even try and get an allotment to help entertain your kids this summer. Hit the shops Dragging kids round the shops doesn't instantly sounds like a good idea, but if you know where to head it can be fun for free. Pets at Home runs free workshops during school holidays where little ones can learn and meet small animals. See Garden centre chain Dobbies also runs its Little Seedlings Clubs with free workshops on a range of gardening topics suitable for children aged 4-10 years. See Ikea loyalty members can also book on to free workshops for children but these do tend to be popular so you'll need to move quick. Dates and events vary by store look up your neatest at Local pet or aquarium shops are also an easy way to burn a morning or afternoon without spending a penny. If you can find a place selling snakes, spiders or lizards - they'll be enthralled. Friendly retailers are usually more than happy for kids to have a hold and give facts about the And the child-sized trolleys at Lidl are a great way to get your weekly shop done while your mini-me follows and helps pick out items for dinner. Free sports and lessons It's great to get kids up and moving over the holidays. Sports clubs are often fairly pricey but there are plenty of sporting freebies you can take advantage of. Families can play tennis for free at one of the LTA's Big Tennis weekends. These nationwide events are a great way to get inspired with coaching, games and competitions throughout the summer. Find your nearest at McDonald's also offers free Fun Football sessions over the summer. McDonald's Fun Football sessions offer coaching at 1,600 locations to 1 million kids across the UK. Parents can register for free with sessions running until July 27. Sign up at Parkplay is a nationwide scheme offering two hours of free community ball play Saturday mornings in a park or public space. Games are adapted and inclusive, with all generations playing together. Find your nearest at It's worth looking up local big clubs which often give back to the community with cheap or free sessions. For example, Manchester United Foundation's Street Reds offers free sessions to selected kids. Contact your local team to see what is on offer. Or for a bit of running, Junior Park Run is a free weekly 2km event for children aged four–14.. Register at and they can practice each week. Free breaks for kids The cost of a getaway during the school holidays is staggeringly expensive as providers hike prices. However, there are charities who will offer subsidised or even free breaks for low income families, especially those who have never been able to afford the cost of going away. Check out the Family Holiday Charity to see if you could qualify, as well as the Family Fund if you have a disabled child. Benefit information site Turn2us also provides tools for finding grants and charitable support for holidays. Household Support Fund Low income families can get help with essential bills such as energy and food through the Household Support Fund. Every council in England has cash from the government to give out to households battling with the cost of living over the coming financial year. Each local authority distributes the funding slightly different so what you can get and whether you qualify depends on where you live. You may be offered vouchers or cash payments straight in to your bank account. However, the value of support is nothing to be sniffed at and is often worth hundreds of pounds to those who qualify. You'll typically find you could unlock the help if you're on benefits such as Universal Credit. But the cash is not guaranteed - once your council has dished out the funding it's gone so contact authorities as soon as possible to see if you could apply.
