WE’RE half way through the week, and with the weekend fast approaching it’s time to think about how to keep the family entertained!
Here are some top tips on how to save a pretty penny as well as some great family day out ideas for under £50 from money saving website Voucherbox.
Plan ahead if possible
Before you head out and about with the family make sure you do your research and do so as soon as possible! Booking entrance tickets to a museum or even a play centre online rather than on the door can save you as much as 20%. It’s these kinds of savings which add up over time. Also look to use money saving sites such as Voucherbox in order to see what deals are available before you go.
Food glorious food
If you’re like most parents, then you probably feel like you’re constantly refilling the fridge when the family is at home, and the reality is you probably are! To avoid overspending by buying expensive goods in the corner shop as opposed to the big supermarket, you should use a meal planner to organise your family’s meals. This pre-planned approach can also ensure you don’t end up throwing away food that is past its use-by date.
Arts and crafts
Why not entertain the kids this bank holiday by getting them to make them for you? Not only will it save some money but it also gives a personalised touch to someone’s big day and provides you with a fun way to spend some quality time with your children.
Fun indoors
If the kids are driving you mad, it can be tempting to head out to the cinema or bowling alley just to get out of the house. But this can break the bank and indeed the budget, so why not get creative at home and encourage them to bake or garden? These types of activities are low cost and it will help them burn off energy instead of staring at a tablet or TV screen.
Budget days out for a family
Edinburgh
On the busses
If you’re heading to Edinburgh on a rainy day then a City Sight Seeing hop-on-hop-off bus is a great way to see the city whilst staying dry. Enjoy the 14-stop tour which will show you landmarks, such as Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat. As you travel, the kids can enjoy a fun and freaky Horrible History audio tour on the headphones provided.
Starting ticket costs for a family of four: £45
Treasure hunters
If you’re on a budget, but looking to explore Edinburgh, then we recommend you take part in a self-guided treasure hunt through Treasure Trail. By downloading a PDF following a quick online payment, you and the family will be encouraged to work together to spot and solve the clues on a 1.75-mile route taking you to famous plaques, buildings and monuments all over Edinburgh’s old town.
Download cost for a family of four: £6.99
Glasgow
Water babies
Boasting 25 metres of clear blue water, Bellahouston is the perfect place for a splash around with the kids. Home to two swimming pools which sit alongside flumes and a dedicated splash section for kids, this day out will give you a chance to get the little ones to the top of their swimming class by the time they return to school.
Average cost for a family of four: £8.40
A taste of adventure
Push your child’s boundaries by paying a visit to Reidvale Adventure Play which offers a safe, supervised and integrated play space. While you’re there the kids can take advantage of the resident assault course challenge, four lovely big trampolines and a floodlit multi-use games area.
Average cost for a family of four: £2
Dundee
Horsing around
If you’re keen for the kids to have a new experience or enhance their existing riding skills this half term, then Claverhouse Equestrian could be the perfect day out. This fully approved and insured riding school offers riding lessons at competitive rates and your kids can even have the chance to care for the horses by mucking out the stables and grooming these wonderful creatures.
Average cost for a family of four for a riding lesson or hack: £60
Green fingers
There is a reason the University of Dundee’s Botanic Garden attracts over 80,000 visitors a year. Pay a visit and enjoy the glasshouse which has lemons, bananas and oranges for you and the children to find. Before you arrive, make sure you download their online guide so that you can get the most out of your visit by spotting the different aspects of the garden including the resident goldcrests, herons and blue tits.
Average cost for a family of four: £13.60
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