Free & Affordable Summer Holiday Activities to Enjoy with Children This Summer
The summer holidays are here, and while six weeks of fun sounds exciting, keeping children entertained every day can quickly become expensive.
The good news?
Making memories doesn’t have to mean spending lots of money.
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, carer or simply looking after little ones during the holidays, there are plenty of ways to enjoy quality time together without breaking the bank.
Here are some of our favourite ideas to keep children active, creative and smiling all summer long.
🌳 Explore Your Local Parks
Sometimes the simplest days are the best.
Pack a picnic, take a football, a frisbee or a scooter and head to your local park. Many parks also have nature trails, splash pads, outdoor gyms or adventure playgrounds that children can enjoy for free.
Top tip: Why not create a nature scavenger hunt? See who can spot a feather, butterfly, pine cone, ladybird or different coloured flowers first.
🚶 Become a Tourist in Your Own Town
When was the last time you explored your local area?
Visit places you’ve never been before, discover local landmarks, explore canals or woodland walks and let children take photos of their favourite discoveries.
You’ll be surprised what you find close to home.
📚 Visit Your Local Library
Libraries offer far more than books.
Many run free summer activities including:
- Story sessions
- Craft mornings
- Lego clubs
- Reading challenges
- Family events
It’s a fantastic way to encourage reading while keeping children entertained.
🎨 Get Creative at Home
You don’t need expensive craft kits to have fun.
Try using items you already have around the house:
- Cardboard box castles
- Homemade greeting cards
- Painting rocks
- Junk modelling
- Salt dough creations
- Paper aeroplanes
- Homemade puppets
Sometimes imagination is all you need.
🍓 Grow Something Together
Children love watching things grow.
Plant sunflower seeds, herbs or tomatoes in pots or even old yoghurt pots.
It’s a brilliant way to teach patience, responsibility and where food comes from.
🚴 Go on a Family Bike Ride or Walk
Choose a new walking route or cycling trail and make an adventure of it.
Take snacks, play “I Spy” along the way and see who can spot the most wildlife.
Fresh air is often the best entertainment.
🧺 Have a Picnic
It doesn’t have to be somewhere special.
Your local park, beach, woodland or even your own back garden can become the perfect picnic spot.
Let children help prepare sandwiches and snacks before heading outside.
🎬 Create a Cinema at Home
Rainy day?
Build a den with blankets, make homemade popcorn and choose everyone’s favourite family film.
Add tickets, snacks and cosy cushions to make it feel extra special.
🍳 Get Cooking Together
Cooking is a brilliant life skill.
Bake fairy cakes, decorate biscuits, make homemade pizzas or create colourful fruit kebabs.
Children love getting involved—and they usually enjoy eating their creations even more.
🏛️ Visit Free Museums
Many museums across the UK offer free entry, making them a fantastic day out.
Whether your child loves dinosaurs, transport, science or history, there’s usually something to spark their imagination.
Check your local museum’s website to see what’s happening over the summer.
💦 Water Play in the Garden
You don’t need a swimming pool to cool down.
Fill up a bucket with water, grab some cups, watering cans or sponges and let children enjoy simple water games.
On warmer days, a sprinkler can provide hours of fun.
⭐ Make Summer Memories, Not Big Expenses
Children rarely remember how much money was spent.
They remember the picnic where everyone laughed.
The walk where they found a huge stick.
The homemade cakes.
The den in the living room.
The afternoons spent together.
This summer, focus on making memories rather than spending money.
Sometimes the best adventures are the simplest ones.
From everyone at Schools Mutual Services, we hope you have a safe, relaxing and enjoyable summer holiday.
North East Hub
Portland House
Newcastle, NE1 8AL
0191 933 8300
info@schoolsmutualservices.co.uk
South East Hub
Podium Sandford Gate
Littlemore
Oxford OX4 6LB
01865 597 771
oxford@schoolsmutualservices.co.uk
West Midlands Hub
0121 805 7871
Birmingham@schoolsmutualservices.co.uk
Follow us on Social Media:
