Rising inflation and cost of living will affect everyone, especially families. The timing of this couldn’t be worse for parents with autumn school breaks just around the corner. If you’re wondering, like many parents, how you can entertain your kids on a limited budget, we’ve got good news for you.
In this guide, you’ll find great ideas for free days out that you can enjoy this autumn! Some of these entirely will still technically come with minor expenses, such as a train fare, however, they will still be very affordable for you and your family!
Picnic
Picnics are always good fun - even in the autumn! The falling leaves offer endless entertainment for your children and it’s an excellent way to get outdoors and spend some time in nature. To keep costs down, pack a simple lunch and a few supplies and you’ll all set for a great day out.
Visit a Museum
Museums are fun, exciting, great places to learn and most importantly, free! Museums are also an excellent rainy day activity. So, should you find yourself without ideas on a rainy day, take your kids to the museum.
Explore a nearby park
During a visit to the park, your kids can explore nature and get some much-needed exercise. The best part is that a park can be used for multiple activities including sports, picnics, treasure hunts and more.
Find an adventure park
For an extra taste of fun, take your kids to an adventure park! The equipment, slides, and more will keep your children entertained for hours. Don’t forget snacks and water as your kids will definitely need to refuel after hours of exploring.
Go for a hike
On a clearer day, hikes are a great activity that the whole family will enjoy. Search for a nearby location, get the right shoes (decent walking shoes should be fine) and you’re all set. Just like the adventure park, don’t forget essential supplies like water and snacks. Lastly, ensure your phone has enough battery for plenty of photos.
Visit a library
On days with less friendly weather, you need somewhere that allows your kids to hide from the cold. A library can offer this and so much more! Firstly, there are hours of books, comics, videos, and more that your children will be able to enjoy. You may need a library card, but this will be easy enough for you to organise.
Plan a treasure hunt
Treasure hunts are fun and if planned right, can become a treasured (pun intended) memory that your kids will look back on for years to come. We recommend picking a theme and starting from there. For example, you could do a pirate treasure hunt or a bug hunt in your garden - don’t be afraid to get a little creative.
Build a fort
Who doesn’t love a good fort? Assemble your blankets, towels, pillows, and whatever else your kids can use and let their imaginations run wild! For an extra treat, why not let your children have a sleepover in their fort? Just be sure to check that their fort is up to code!
Kids eat free restaurant
Many restaurants offer kids eat free specials to encourage business. A quick search online will help you to find restaurants that offer this in your local area. Taking advantage of these specials allows you and your family to enjoy a meal out for a fraction of what you would normally spend.
Camp in your back garden
Weather permitting, why not let your kids camp in your yard? Simply set up a tent, give them plenty of supplies, and let them enjoy a night outdoors. If you’re worried about them, simply ensure that their camp can be seen from your house or bedroom.
Have a movie marathon
A movie marathon is a great way to spend the day! Movies are good because they help your children to stay still and entertained for hours. This can be especially helpful when the weather is bad.
Watch Cartoons
Kids love cartoons, but with all the streaming services available, it can be hard to have all of their favourite content in one place. Did you know that there are some great free kid's cartoons available that your children will love? Put these on and enjoy the sounds of your little ones laughing and learning.
Make a movie
Thanks to advances in technology, you can make a great family movie on your phone! Sit down with your kids, make a script, and shoot! Let your kids run wild and explore a world of their own creation. Then, after some quick editing, enjoy a big premiere together.
Play a sport
Sports help your kids to get some much-needed exercise, spend some time outside, and keep warm even on colder days.
Board game day
Do you have a few board games? If so, you have hours of entertainment ready and waiting for your children. Before you get them out though, make sure that your children know how to play the game.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! The next time you need something for your children to do that won’t break the bank, don’t forget to revisit this list!