Ways to entertain the kids that won’t break the bank

Ways To Entertain Kids That Don't Break The Bank It’s finally the Easter holidays and if you’re a parent, this means finding things to do with the little ones. But it can be hard to entertain your children on a budget, especially now with rising bills and taxes. We have provided some top tips on where to find discounted days out. We’ve also added a few cheap and cheerful ideas of our own. It’s also worth checking if your local council or community centre is running and free events or workshops. Enjoy! 3. Learn something new at a free gallery or museum Many galleries and museums are free to enter and are an easy way to entertain the family for a day out. We highly rate: Bristol Museum, Bristol Aquarium, We The Curious and Blaise Museum Just remember they may need visitors to book a free ticket before arrival. 4. Burn off the Easter chocolate with some sport

1. Enjoy a meal out with ‘kids eat free’ offers When dining out as a family, it is worth checking if nearby restaurants offer discounts for children. Many restaurants and cafes run ‘kids eat free’ offers during the holidays. We found several popular chains offered discounts at certain times, including Yo! Sushi and Morrisons Cafe.

2. Visit a theme park for less Check the prices at attractions in advance to save. For example, we found an adult day pass bought on the day at Alton Towers costs £62, but only £34 when bought in advance – a 45% saving. Shoppers can also save money on days out at theme parks and attractions up and down the country when purchasing groceries at the supermarket. Meanwhile, selected Kellogg’s cereal packs and snacks offer ‘adults go free’ vouchers for Merlin attractions valid until June 2022. Tesco Clubcard holders can convert points into Tesco Reward Partners Vouchers, which can be used for as much as three times the saving at theme parks, wildlife parks and more.

There are many free sporting activities available up and down the South West during the holidays. It’s worth checking local council websites for opportunities, some offer free swimming lessons for children, for example. Alternatively, Parkruns are free weekly events, held every weekend in hundreds of locations around Bristol and surrounding areas. 5. Baking some Easter treats Easter is a great time to make some treats with your children and you can find some easy recipes on TikTok, like this recipe for delicious mini egg Krispie treats. 6. Watch the latest movies at a discount Vue’s ‘Mini Mornings’ all offer discounts for both adults and children. For example, Vue ‘Mini Morning’ tickets cost £2.49 or £2.99 if you buy online (£3.49/£3.99 at the venue). Film fans can also get cinema discounts with dining cards Gourmet Society and Tastecard. Both offer up to 40% off some cinema chains and currently offer 90-day free trials. Also Scotts Cinema Westbury Park has Kids Club.

7. Take advantage of local libraries As well as borrowing physical books for free, most libraries allow users to borrow e-books and audiobooks. Some can also grant access to digital magazines and newspapers. Check local library offers via on the local council website and sign up for free. 8. Get into some arts and crafts at home Children love arts and crafts and all you really need is some paper, paint, pens and some scissors. How about making this easy handprint bunny? 9. Explore the great outdoors Take advantage of the free parks up and down the country. Check out this guide on the best national parks in South West.

10. Seek out free local events Local councils offer free events during school holidays, so it is worth checking their websites. Search the local council’s name followed by ‘half-term activities’ to see what’s going on in your area.