Entertaining Kids on a Budget – Fun Without the Price Tag

If there’s one thing kids are good at, it’s costing money. Every day out, every club, every hobby – it all adds up. And with five kids, I’d need a millionaire’s bank account to keep up with what they think we should be doing. But here’s the truth: kids don’t need fancy days out, they just need fun (and maybe snacks). Here’s how I keep mine busy without breaking the bank.

Free Days Out

• Parks are underrated – a football, some scooters, and a packed lunch. Job done.

• Nature walks – we call it an “adventure” and suddenly the kids are excited about trees.

• Library trips – free books, free story time, sometimes even free craft clubs.

Cheap Wins

• Cinema deals – some cinemas run £2.50 kids’ mornings at the weekend. snacks from home in a lunchbox, because I’m not paying £4.50 for stale popcorn.

• Soft play – go midweek if you can; it’s always cheaper.

• Car boot sales – 50p toys and they think it’s Christmas.

At-Home Ideas

• Movie nights – curtains shut, duvet on the floor, microwave popcorn. Done.

• Baking together – yes, it’s messy, yes, I’ll regret it, but it keeps them happy and costs next to nothing.

• Treasure hunts – I hide random household objects around the house and they act like it’s the Crystal Maze.

Final Thought

Keeping kids entertained doesn’t have to cost the earth. Some of their favourite memories will be the simplest ones – sitting in the garden with bubbles, or a “picnic” on the living room floor. They don’t care about how much it costs; they care about how much fun it is.