30 Free and Cheap Summer Holiday Activities for Kids in the UK (2026)

30 Free and Cheap Summer Holiday Activities for Kids in the UK (2026)

Finding free or cheap summer holiday activities for kids can feel harder than it should be! Every trip seems to involve tickets, food, parking and the inevitable request for an ice cream, and although one reasonably priced day may not look too frightening on its own, repeat it several times across six weeks, and the cost can soon spiral, making a very real dent in your bank balance.

It’s important to understand that children do not need an expensive attraction every other day to have a summer worth remembering!

Equally, it’s worth remembering that children need time to decompress from school, relax and make some of their own decisions about what to do. They need opportunities to use their imagination, make their own entertainment and find adventure through play, and ideally that should not always involve a screen, although screens have their place too!

As a dad and foster carer, I’ve found that the best low-cost days usually begin with a loose plan rather than a minute-by-minute schedule!

A picnic, a trip to the beach or a scavenger hunt can often keep children happily occupied for hours, while even a couple of quid in 2p pieces can last much longer than you might expect at the amusement arcade.

Taking your own food and agreeing the spending rules before you leave home can also avoid much of the costly negotiation later!

These 30 free and cheap summer holiday activities for kids include genuinely free options, affordable days out and current summer 2026 deals, along with plenty of ideas for those days when the British weather ruins everyone’s outdoor plans.

Just remember that “free entry” does not always mean a completely free day, as travel, parking and food can still push up the total, so I have highlighted the extra costs worth checking before you set off.

Free Summer Holiday Activities Away From Home

1. Join the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge

The Summer Reading Challenge is free and can be completed online or through participating public libraries. The 2026 theme is Read to the Beat, with children choosing their own reading goal and earning rewards as they work through it.

The library version may include a collector folder, stickers, and other rewards, though availability varies by library service.

This is one of those activities that can run through the whole holiday rather than filling a single afternoon. Let children choose books they actually want to read, including comics, joke books and non-fiction, rather than turning it into unofficial homework. The 2026 challenge launched on the 20th of June in Scotland and the 4th of July in England and Wales, so families can join now.

2. Check Your Library’s Free Events

Libraries offer far more than shelves of books, particularly during the school holidays. Depending on the branch, you may find storytelling, Lego sessions, crafts, board game clubs, coding activities, or visits from local performers. Search your council library page and book early because free sessions often have limited spaces.

It is also worth checking whether your area has a toy library, where families can borrow toys and games instead of buying them. Some charge a small membership fee, while others are free or ask for a modest amount per item. Even a low-cost membership can pay for itself if it prevents one ill-fated toy purchase that is abandoned by teatime.

3. See Whether You Qualify for a Free HAF Place

England’s Holiday Activities and Food programme funds holiday activities, food and childcare for eligible children, with places primarily intended for those who receive benefits-related free school meals. Councils can use some spaces for other families who need support, so it is still worth checking your local scheme, as activities, dates and booking systems differ between authorities.

These sessions can include sports, arts, cooking, outdoor activities and a meal, making them much more than somewhere to pass a couple of hours. Summer places are limited and may be released through a voucher or booking code, so check emails from your child’s school and council.

If you think your child should qualify but have heard nothing, contact the local HAF team rather than assuming you have missed out.

4. Turn a Park Visit Into a Proper Challenge

A visit to the park costs nothing, but “we are going for a walk” may not produce a stampede towards the front door. Give the outing a purpose by creating a scavenger hunt for birds, flowers, benches, unusual leaves and anything else common in your area. Younger children can keep a tally, while older ones can photograph each find or set the clues for everyone else.

Pack lunch, take a ball or frisbee and choose a park you have not visited before. Your council website, Google Maps, and local parent groups can help you find playgrounds, country parks, and nature reserves that are only a short journey away.

Check parking charges before travelling because the supposedly free day can unravel rather quickly at the pay-and-display machine.

5. Try Geocaching

Geocaching turns an ordinary walk into a real-world treasure hunt using a phone or GPS device. A free account provides access to many caches, though some are reserved for paid Premium members. Choose an easy, recently found cache for your first attempt and read the description before leaving home.

Take a pen to sign the logbook and remind children that the container must be returned exactly where it was found. If they take a small swap item from a cache, they should leave something of equal or greater value in its place.

Avoid revealing the hiding spot to passers-by, known as “muggles” in the geocaching world, which makes the whole outing feel pleasingly secretive.

6. Visit a Free Museum or Gallery

Many major UK museums and galleries offer free general admission, including London’s Natural History Museum and Science Museum, National Museum Cardiff and several National Museums Scotland venues.

Smaller local museums can be excellent too, particularly when they run children’s trails or handling sessions during the holidays, but check the venue’s website before travelling, as some free museums still use timed tickets or charge for special exhibitions.

Treat the trip as free entry rather than a guaranteed free day, because transport, parking, lunch and the gift shop can easily cost more than admission. Take food where the venue allows it, agree a souvenir budget in advance and, if you are travelling into a city, compare the train fare with parking, clean-air charges and congestion fees before deciding which option is cheaper.

7. Check Retailers for Free Summer Activities

• Pets at Home is running free Pet Pals summer holiday workshops for children aged four to ten in July and August 2026. The 45-minute sessions cover responsible pet care through activities and supervised encounters, and children receive a certificate and sticker. Places must be booked, and availability varies between stores. This works well as a short activity rather than an entire day out, so pair it with a nearby picnic or park visit. Be realistic if your child is nervous around animals or finds busy group sessions difficult. It is also worth having the “we are not buying a hamster today” conversation before walking through the door.

• Dobbies also runs free Little Seedlings workshops, including a Gabby’s Dollhouse-themed gardening session during summer 2026. The activities are designed for children aged 4 to 10 and usually last about an hour, although dates and spaces vary by store. Book in advance and check whether an adult must remain with the child throughout the session.

• Today at Apple offers free creative sessions for children, with devices provided for the activity, while some IKEA stores advertise free crafts and other family events. Apple’s summer camp is designed for children aged six to ten, although the timetable depends on the store, while IKEA events vary more widely and some require free IKEA Family membership, so treat both retailers as places to check rather than guaranteed activities at every branch.

• Lidl is also trialling a free fruit-and-vegetable “I Spy” scavenger hunt on its children’s trolleys in 100 GB stores from mid-July 2026, with clues encouraging younger shoppers to identify different foods as they move around the shop. Selected stores will also offer Lidl Plus vouchers for free fruit and vegetables, subject to availability, and if your local branch is not taking part, you can download the Lidl Foodies game and use it during the weekly shop instead, turning a trip you already needed to make into an activity without paying for another journey.

8. Look for Free Community Events

Councils, shopping centres, churches, community centres and local charities often run free family events during the summer. These can include outdoor cinema screenings, fun days, craft sessions, music, sports and small festivals.

Search your council’s events page, your county tourism website and local Facebook groups, then double-check the organiser’s own page before travelling.

I use Visit Hampshire for ideas near me, but most counties and cities have a similar tourism or “what’s on” website. Event listings are useful starting points, although details sometimes change after publication. Check whether a booking is required and whether the “free event” still includes parking, rides, or paid activities upon arrival.

9. Tour an Amazon Fulfilment Centre for Free

Amazon offers free tours of selected UK fulfilment centres, where families can see how orders are picked, packed and moved around enormous warehouses. Tours are available at several locations and can include a close look at the technology used inside, making this an unusual option for children who enjoy machinery, robots, or learning how everyday systems work.

Visitors must be at least six years old, and spaces are limited on a first-come, first-served basis, so check the chosen centre’s rules before booking, as identification, clothing and footwear requirements may apply.

Dates can disappear quickly, and not every location runs tours throughout the holiday, which means this is one to arrange early rather than save for a spontaneous afternoon.

10. Find a Free Farm, Nature Reserve or Wildlife Trail

Some city and community farms are free to visit, while wildlife reserves and woodland trails can provide several hours of entertainment without an admission fee.

Look for pond-dipping sessions, nature trails, bird hides and activity sheets aimed at families, with the Wildlife Trusts, Forestry England and local farm websites all useful places to begin, although opening days and suggested donations vary.

Children often engage more when they have something specific to spot, so make a simple animal or plant checklist before leaving, and take old clothes or wellies if the site is likely to be muddy.

Pack your own drinks and snacks, check whether animal feed or special activities cost extra, and consider leaving a small donation if the farm is free and your budget allows it.

11. Make a Beach Day Cheaper

A beach day can be one of the best-value family outings if you avoid buying everything after you arrive. Take buckets and spades from home, pack lunch and freeze bottles of water to use as ice packs before drinking them later.

An insulated food flask isn’t only useful for keeping lunch hot. Fill it with ice lollies before you leave home, and it can keep them frozen for hours, ready for that inevitable moment when the ice-cream van appears, and the kids start asking.

It feels like a tiny bit of summer wizardry, but it can save you a fair bit too, especially when ice creams cost a bomb these days; I paid £7.80 for just two Magnums at an ordinary newsagent this week and nearly fell over, so I dread to think what an ice-cream van might charge!

Give children a fixed arcade allowance before going inside, rather than funding an endless stream of “just one more go”, as even £1 in 2p coins can feel substantial in a small bag and makes the limit visible.

My son has spent many beach trips finding what he confidently identifies as dinosaur eggs, which proves that rock pools, shells, and interesting stones can provide plenty of free entertainment!

Check tide times, local safety advice and any restrictions on removing shells, fossils or stones, and always supervise children near the sea, as inflatables can become dangerous when winds or currents carry them away from shore.

Parking is often the largest expense, so compare council car parks before setting off and consider arriving earlier, when you may have a better chance of avoiding the most expensive spaces beside the beach.

12. Try Free Park Tennis

The Lawn Tennis Association runs Barclays Free Park Tennis for people of all ages and abilities, giving families a chance to play without paying for a court or lesson. Sessions usually take place on weekend mornings at participating parks, with volunteers running a mixture of games and activities, and equipment is provided, so you do not need to buy racquets before discovering whether anyone actually enjoys it.

You need to find a participating venue and book the session in advance. Wear trainers and clothes suitable for moving around, then check the listing again if the weather looks doubtful. Availability is local rather than nationwide, but it is well worth searching before paying for a holiday sports session elsewhere.

13. Claim a Kellogg’s Football Camp Day

Selected promotional packs of Kellogg’s cereal can be used to claim a day at a participating Kellogg’s Football Camp during summer 2026, with most camps aimed at children aged seven to fourteen, although some clubs accept ages five to fifteen.

It's not entirely free because you need to buy a qualifying pack of cereal, but it can still provide a low-cost day of organised football for a child who would genuinely enjoy it.

Places are subject to availability, and each code must be claimed and redeemed within the promotion dates, with claims open until 27 August 2026 and codes due for redemption by 1st September 2026.

Each household can make two claims, with no more than two places per child, but check the participating clubs and age ranges before buying the cereal, as travel, food, and other expenses are not included.

Also from Kellogg's:

This Summer, It's the 15th Anniversary of the Kellogg’s and Merlin’s 25% off deal, and families across the country can claim 25% off for up to two advance-purchased entry tickets to more than 20 UK attractions, including LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, Alton Towers Resort, the London Eye, SEA LIFE Aquariums and more.

Discount codes can be found across a range of Kellogg’s packs, including Coco Pops, Corn Flakes and Rice Krispies Squares.

Plus, to mark the milestone, families can also win 1 of 50 Gold Merlin Annual Passes for a full year in a new prize draw (worth £239 each). The discount code issued provides 25% off up to 2 Adult and/or Child online-priced entry tickets, from 1st June 2026 until 30th June 2027, at selected Merlin Entertainments attractions. The offer is valid at the following participating attractions:

Alton Towers Resort, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Thorpe Park, The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, Warwick Castle, Shrek’s Adventure! London, Madame Tussauds London, The Dungeons (London, York or Edinburgh), The London Eye, The Gruffalo & Friends Clubhouse Blackpool, SEA LIFE Aquariums & Centres (Birmingham, Great Yarmouth, Loch Lomond, Blackpool, London, Brighton, Manchester, Scarborough, Hunstanton and Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park).

TO REDEEM YOUR 25% OFF OFFER, PRE-BOOKING ONLINE IS ESSENTIAL!

STEP 1: To request your discount code, scan the QR code on pack or visit www.kelloggsmerlin.com & register/sign into your Kellogg’s account.

STEP 2: Once signed in to your Kellogg’s account, enter the 10-digit code starting with a K on top of the pack (pack code) & provide your name, email address & postcode. Upon entry of a valid pack code, a discount code will be issued (to the email address you provide) within 24 hours.

STEP 3: Once you have received your discount code, go to www.merlinmagic.biz/kelloggs and select your attraction and the ticket type you require (Max 1 entry (covering up to 2 tickets) per promotional pack)

STEP 4: Enter your unique discount code when prompted in the booking journey to secure the date you want to visit your chosen attraction from those available.

STEP 5: Book and pay for your entry tickets.

STEP 6: Print/ download your entry tickets and head straight to the attraction on your booked date of visit. Scan your tickets (on your phone or a printout) at the barcode readers to enter the attraction.

T&C's here.

Cheap Family Days Out and 2026 Offers

14. Find Cheap Cinema Tickets Before Paying Full Price

A cinema trip can be a brilliant option when it is raining, everyone needs a quieter day, or you simply want a couple of hours without hearing “I’m bored”, but tickets, drinks and snacks can quickly turn it into an expensive outing!

The good news is that there are so many cinema offers hidden inside memberships, bank accounts, mobile phone apps and cashback services that it is always worth checking what you already have before paying full price.

Start with the special family screenings run by the major cinema chains. At the time of checking, ODEON Kids tickets were advertised from £1 at selected cinemas, while Cineworld’s family films started at £2 per ticket.

These are normally older family films shown in the morning, and accompanying adults will usually pay the same reduced price, although films, times, prices and rules vary by cinema.

Taking your own snacks and drinks can also stop a cheap film becoming a surprisingly expensive morning, and don't worry, you are allowed to take your own snacks!

Next, check any TV, banking or subscription benefits you already pay for: Sky Cinema customers can claim two standard Vue tickets each month until 30 June 2027, valid for showings from Sunday to Thursday. The codes are claimed through the My Sky app, are subject to availability and expire at the end of the month in which they are generated.

Monzo Perks includes one Vue ticket each month and 10% off food and non-alcoholic drinks at Vue, alongside benefits such as a weekly Greggs treat, an annual Railcard, and an Uber One membership. The upgrade costs £7 a month, so don't take it out just for a supposedly “free” ticket without working out whether the other benefits would genuinely save you money too.

If you have a qualifying Club Lloyds account, one of the annual lifestyle benefits is six cinema tickets for either Vue or ODEON. Vue vouchers also include half-price popcorn, while tickets used for ODEON Kids screenings include a free small popcorn.

This is a benefit you choose instead of alternatives such as Disney+, a magazine subscription or the dining and coffee membership, so pick the option you will actually use rather than the one with the most impressive headline value.

Amazon Prime members should also search for the Prime ODEON offer while signed into their account. At the time of checking, members could buy two standard ODEON tickets for £10 or two ODEON Luxe recliner tickets for £15 once a month for Monday to Thursday showings.

As with any membership benefit, it is only a saving if you already use Prime or get enough value from the rest of the subscription.

Mobile phone reward apps can be particularly useful. O2 Priority offers two Vue cinema tickets for £9, or four for £18, once per calendar month, subject to availability, plus 20% off non-alcoholic food and drink when you spend at least £15. The Vue e-codes must usually be used within seven days, so wait until you are ready to book before claiming them.

At the time of checking, the Three+ app was also showing weekly Cineworld offers, including two tickets for £10 and a £3 adult ticket for selected weekend visits. These rewards can change and may have their own cinema, film, day or booking restrictions, so open the offer in the app and read the live terms before making plans around it.

Meerkat Movies gives eligible customers 2-for-1 standard cinema tickets every Tuesday or Wednesday for a year after they buy a qualifying product through Compare the Market. The cheapest ticket is free, and participating cinemas vary.

Don't buy unsuitable insurance or another financial product purely for a cinema code, but if you have already made a qualifying purchase, make sure you claim the benefit!

It is also worth checking Groupon’s cinema offers, which can include discounted cinema memberships, ticket codes, and offers for particular chains.

Look carefully at the expiry date, participating cinemas, excluded films, booking fees, and whether a free or discounted trial automatically converts to a paid subscription. A deal advertising the biggest discount will not necessarily give you the lowest final price, so always compare the total cost with booking directly through the cinema

Finally, check cashback and discounted gift-card apps before booking. Apps such as JamDoughnut offer cashback when you buy cinema gift cards, although rates can change. Compare the final price with the cost of booking directly through the cinema, and check whether you can use the gift card alongside any other ticket offer or discount code.

15. Check Whether Kids Pass Will Save You Money

Kids Pass offers discounts on cinemas, attractions, restaurants, and family breaks, with a public offer of £1 for 30 days (as checked on 17th July 2026). It then renews at £4.99 a month unless cancelled, although an annual option is also available. While one membership covers the household, its value will depend on the offers near you and what you already planned to book.

I used Kids Pass for a Portsmouth aquarium trip and saved 25% on the normal entry price, which meant the trial fee more than paid for itself that day, but that does not mean every offer will be the cheapest option.

There is no saving if the pass tempts you into an outing you would not otherwise have bought, so search for the attraction first, compare the final family price with booking direct and set a reminder to cancel if you do not want the membership to renew.

16. Check National Rail’s Days Out Guide

National Rail’s Days Out Guide offers 2FOR1 entry and other discounts at participating attractions when you travel by train, although you generally need two valid National Rail tickets for every pair using the offer, along with the required attraction voucher or booking code.

Railcard and GroupSave-discounted train tickets can qualify, but a Railcard on its own does not.

Do the full calculation before booking, because train fares can wipe out the attraction's savings, particularly for a larger family.

Check the offer page for eligible ticket types, validity dates, exclusions and whether advance booking is needed. Keep the train tickets until after your visit to the attraction, as staff may ask to see them when you arrive.

17. Use Kids Eat Free or for £1 Deals

Eating out can cost as much as the activity, particularly once drinks and puddings join the party, so check my regularly updated kids eat free or for £1 guide, which covers the 2026 summer holidays. It lists current dates, adult spending requirements, age limits, and other catches, including offers that require an app or code and those that only run on certain days.

Choose the meal deal before deciding where to eat rather than discovering the offer after paying, and check whether the restaurant appears on JamDoughnut, as you may be able to earn cashback by buying a gift card.

The restaurant must accept gift cards alongside its family offer (most do, as it's just a payment method after all), so read the terms before stacking discounts, vouchers, or other promotions.

18. Look for a Kids Week Theatre Ticket

London’s Kids Week runs from 20th July to 31st August 2026 and gives one child aged 17 or under a free ticket with a full-paying adult at selected performances. Up to two additional children can receive half-price tickets with each paying adult, subject to availability.

My full Kids Week 2026 guide explains the booking process, participating shows, and extra activities.

The word “free” needs context because the adult ticket, travel and food can still make this a costly day. Compare dates and seat prices rather than automatically choosing the first available performance. If you are travelling into London, work out the total family cost before getting too attached to a particular show; don't forget to look for discounted rail tickets!

19. Check Loyalty Apps and Stack Cashback With Discounts

Before opening a cashback website, check the loyalty apps attached to services you already pay for. Energy suppliers, banks, mobile networks and supermarkets can hide useful cinema, restaurant and day-out offers inside their apps. You may need to activate the reward or request a code before making the purchase.

Qualifying Octopus Energy customers can join Octoplus through their account or app, with current Octoplus rewards including two Vue tickets for £8, no booking fee and 15% off food and drinks. New codes are released weekly, and tickets can be booked for any day of the week. However, availability is limited, so seeing the offer in the app does not guarantee a code will still be available.

Octoplus members can also claim one Rakuten TV rental each month, with new codes released on Fridays, and only one claim per member until the 30th August 2026. The code covers an eligible rental worth up to £6 and must be used within one month; early releases, premium films, and 4K rentals are excluded.

The summer Octoplus offer also includes a National Trust family day pass for £8, covering one visit for up to two adults and three children at participating properties. Codes must be claimed by the 6th of September 2026, or before they sell out, and used by the 10th of September 2026. Octopus says the pass can save up to £42, although parking, paid events, and other extras are not included.

Octoplus releases a restaurant code each week for Harvester, Stonehouse Pizza & Carvery, Toby Carvery, Ember Inns or Sizzling Pubs. It gives 25% off full-priced main meals for up to 8 people, Monday to Thursday.

Drinks, breakfasts, children’s meals, meal deals, set menus and several other items are excluded. The QR code is valid for 14 days and must be shown when paying at the restaurant, rather than entered via the restaurant’s app.

👉 You can join Octopus Energy using our referral link, and you'll get a £50 sign-up bonus

Mobile network apps are worth checking for shorter promotions too, and at the time of writing, O2 Priority displayed 30% off the total Burger King bill through a code used at the till or kiosk.

Eligible O2 customers can also receive a £2 monthly rebate when adding Disney+ Standard or Premium as a paid Extra, although a six-month minimum applies, while supermarket loyalty apps change their rewards regularly, so check those before paying for food, fuel or anything needed for the day out.

Before buying attraction tickets, check whether the venue or seller appears on TopCashback, Quidco or Rakuten, all of which are covered in my guide to the best UK cashback apps and websites.

It is also worth checking JamDoughnut for a cashback gift card the venue accepts, but do not assume two forms of cashback can always be combined, and remember that cashback is never guaranteed until it is tracked and becomes payable, so base your decision on the ticket price.

Compare the final price with booking direct, Kids Pass, National Rail and any promotional codes on product packaging. A large-sounding percentage is not automatically the best deal if it applies to a higher starting price or adds a booking fee.

Open a clean browser window, turn off ad blockers if required and follow the cashback service’s tracking instructions carefully.

20. Use Merlin’s Twice the Fun Offer

Merlin’s Twice the Fun offer gives eligible ticket buyers a second theme park visit at no extra charge, with new standard online tickets booked directly between 25th June and 27th July 2026 and prices advertised from £29.75 at some parks.

The return visit can be to LEGOLAND Windsor, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures or Alton Towers, but it must take place by 25th September 2026.

This is two days for the price of one rather than a completely free day out, and it does not apply to tickets bought before the promotion began.

Read the booking terms before paying, as selected dates, ticket types, and availability may be restricted. Add up travel, parking, and food for both visits, too, because a second admission ticket only saves you money if the return journey still fits your budget.

21. Let Children Travel Free by Bus in August

Children aged five to fifteen can make unlimited free journeys on participating local buses in England from 1st to 31st August 2026, with the government’s free bus travel announcement confirming that no registration is required.

This makes the offer useful for spontaneous trips as well as planned days out, while under-fives already travel free with the main operators covered by the scheme.

Use the bus to link several free activities, such as a library session followed by a visit to a park or museum, without paying for separate journeys. Check that the operator and route are participating and find out whether proof of age may be requested before setting off.

The offer is limited to England and August 2026, so families elsewhere in the UK should check their own local concessionary travel schemes.

Free and Cheap Rainy-Day Activities at Home

22. Create a Proper Home Cinema

A film at home becomes more of an event when children make tickets, close the curtains and choose their own cinema snacks, using a film already included with a service you pay for, a DVD borrowed from the library or a legitimate free streaming service.

Check any loyalty benefits you already have too, but do not rely on an old promotion still being available, as these offers can change quickly.

Set a start time and let one child act as the usher while another arranges the seating. Popcorn kernels are far cheaper than individual cinema bags and can be divided between homemade paper tubs. Phones away, lights down and snacks ready can make an ordinary afternoon feel different without buying another subscription.

23. Build Something From the Recycling

Cardboard boxes, clean food packaging, tape and pens can become a robot, marble run, shop, spaceship or den, particularly if you give the project a theme and a time limit, then ask the children to present what they made.

The challenge usually works better when it has a goal, as simply dropping a pile of cardboard on the table and telling everyone to “be creative” may not be enough.

Keep scissors and unsuitable packaging away from younger children, and check that containers are clean. Save delivery boxes for a week or ask friends and neighbours before buying craft supplies. When the masterpiece has finished occupying half the living room, photograph it before returning the cardboard to the recycling bin.

24. Hold a Family Bake-Off

Baking fills an afternoon and produces something everyone can eat afterwards, so choose a recipe based on ingredients already in the cupboard, or use a low-cost supermarket cake mix and let the children handle the mixing and decorating.

Older children can compare unit prices, weigh ingredients and calculate the cost per portion, which sneaks a little maths into proceedings without announcing it.

Set a decorating theme or divide one batch into several smaller creations. Do not buy a trolley full of novelty toppings, because that rather defeats the purpose of saving money. A little icing, chopped fruit or whatever sprinkles are hiding at the back of the cupboard will usually do the job.

25. Go Around the World Through Live Cameras

EarthCam and live animal cameras can take children around the world without leaving the sofa. Pick several locations, find them on a map and compare the local time, weather and what people or animals are doing. Turning the viewing into a short travel diary makes it more engaging than hopping randomly between feeds.

Children could plan an imaginary day in New York, watch zoo animals or look at a famous landmark, with each person choosing the next destination and explaining why they picked it. Live feeds can go offline or show very little action, of course, because tigers, it turns out, do not work to a family entertainment schedule!

26. Borrow Digital Books, Magazines and Audiobooks

Many library members can borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks through services such as BorrowBox at no extra charge. The BorrowBox app connects to participating library services using your membership details. Availability varies, and popular titles may have a waiting list just as physical books do.

Audiobooks are useful during car journeys, craft sessions or the slower part of a rainy afternoon. Download titles over Wi-Fi before travelling so they do not use mobile data. If your library uses a different service, its website should explain which app you need and how to sign in.

Magazine apps such as Readly can be useful for children who prefer comics, puzzles and short articles to books. Offers so check for free trials, the trial length, renewal price, and cancellation terms shown before entering payment details. Currently it's £12.99 a month to use, but you can get a 2-month trial, which would cover you for the summer holidays!

Pre-downloading issues over Wi-Fi also makes the app useful for travel or camping without using mobile data.

Only start a trial when you know the family will use it, rather than collecting subscriptions for a hypothetical rainy day. Set a calendar reminder several days before renewal and take a screenshot of the offer terms. If the children are only interested in one or two titles, check whether your library already provides digital magazines for free.

27. Camp in the Garden and Go Stargazing

Pitching a tent in the garden creates much of the excitement of camping without the campsite fee or the need to pack a car to the roof. Let children make a sign for the tent, pack their own torch and choose a snack for the evening. The house remains close enough for toilets, forgotten blankets and a retreat if the weather changes its mind.

Once darkness falls, look for the Moon, bright planets and easy-to-recognise constellations, using a free stargazing app or a guide borrowed from the library to help identify them.

Turn down outside lights where possible, and give everyone time for their eyes to adjust before deciding there is nothing to see. Check the forecast, supervise younger children, and avoid flames, candles, or cooking equipment inside the tent.

28. Run a Puzzle and Quiz Tournament

Bring together jigsaws, card games, crosswords and age-appropriate quiz questions for a family tournament, and ask friends or relatives whether they have games they would be willing to swap for the holidays.

Charity shops and local reuse groups can provide low-cost options too, while Olio and Facebook community groups are worth checking for items being given away.

Use a simple points system and let each child choose one round, so different ages can compete without the oldest automatically winning everything. A homemade trophy can be passed to the winner and reused at the next tournament. Keep the rounds short enough that the activity ends before competitive spirit turns the living room into a minor diplomatic incident.

29. Create a Photo or Stop-Motion Project

Give children a daily or weekly photography theme such as reflections, something red, an interesting shadow or the best thing they saw that day. They can use an old phone or shared camera under supervision, so there is no need to buy new equipment. At the end of the holiday, choose the best pictures for a digital slideshow or a homemade scrapbook.

Printing every photo can become expensive, so select a small number or use a supermarket photo offer. The project also encourages children to notice ordinary moments rather than treating only paid days out as worth remembering. Make sure they ask permission before photographing other people and avoid sharing identifying images online without consent.

The same phone or tablet can be used to make a short stop-motion film with toys, paper characters or modelling clay. A free stop-motion app lets children take a frame, move the character slightly and repeat the process until the story comes alive. Keep the first film very short because even ten seconds of finished animation can require a surprising number of pictures.

30. Create a Home Holiday Olympics

Set up several low-cost challenges using things already at home, such as a sock throw, a paper-plane contest, an obstacle course, a balloon keep-up, or a timed treasure hunt. Children can make flags, scorecards and medals from paper or cardboard before the games begin, with each event adapted to the available space and the ages taking part.

On a dry day, move the games to the garden or park and add water-cup relays or target-throwing. On a wet day, choose quieter challenges that will not sacrifice a lamp in the name of sport. Finish with a simple podium ceremony and reuse the idea later with a new set of events.

The best free and cheap summer holiday activities for kids do not need to fill every minute or produce a perfect family photograph, so mix a few paid days with free outings and home projects, while leaving some time for children to invent their own entertainment too.

Parents are not required to operate as a full-time holiday resort, and if you know about a brilliant free local activity, share it in the comments so other families can make use of it too!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I entertain the kids when I have no money?

Start with things you can reach without paying for travel, such as a local park, library, scavenger hunt or recycling-box challenge. Free museum entry, tennis sessions, retailer workshops, and community events provide additional options if available nearby. Bring food and drinks from home so a free activity does not turn into an expensive lunch bill.

How can I keep children entertained for six weeks without spending a fortune?

Plan a loose weekly pattern rather than trying to fill every day with a paid trip. One day out, one local activity, one home project and some unplanned time can provide enough variety without exhausting the budget or the adults. Write down free local options before the holidays begin, then keep a small pot for the outings that genuinely feel worth paying for.

Where can I find free summer activities near me?

Start with your council’s library, HAF and events pages, then check the local tourism website and community centres. School newsletters, local Facebook groups and shopping-centre websites can also reveal workshops and family events. Confirm details with the organiser because dates, spaces and age limits can change.

What can older children and teenagers do during the summer holidays?

Older children may prefer geocaching, free park tennis, photography, stop-motion filmmaking or planning their own low-cost day out. Amazon fulfilment centre tours and volunteering opportunities can also appeal, depending on local availability and age rules. Give them some control over the plan and a fixed budget rather than choosing every activity for them.

What are some cheap rainy-day activities for children?

Try a home cinema, a family bake-off, a cardboard-building challenge, a stop-motion film, a quiz tournament, or an audiobook session. An indoor garden-camping night can also work if the weather makes the tent unusable outside. Giving the activity a theme, goal or start time usually makes it feel more special than simply telling children to find something to do.

What subscriptions and loyalty schemes offer cheap Vue tickets?

Sky Cinema includes two Vue tickets each month, while Monzo Perks includes one ticket as part of its paid account upgrade. O2 Priority and Octoplus offer discounted ticket bundles, with separate food and drink savings. Claim limits, expiry dates and availability differ, so open the relevant app and read the current terms before choosing an offer.