Family days out can be expensive, but if you think creatively there’s plenty you can do to entertain your children that are either cheap or free. From cinema trips to messy play and the great outdoors, there’s plenty to do this half term with your children on a budget.
Below, Parenting Expert Amanda Jenner, has provided her top three activities to enjoy with your children from today, come rain or shine!
CREATE YOUR OWN CINEMA
For parents with children of any age, creating a cinema experience in your home is a great way to spend a day with your children, without having to spend any money, as everything you need is already in your house. To make this half term activity more engaging and interactive with your children, try shutting the curtains and making a treat bowl full of your children’s favourite snacks to create the feeling of going to the cinema within your own home.
To incorporate some arts and crafts into your day, spend some time with your children creating some at-home cinema tickets that are on theme with the film you’re going to watch, as this is another free activity that can extend your fun. Making the effort to really immerse your child within your cinema experience, why not try playing dress-up with your little one, especially if their favourite character is in the film you’re watching?
COMBINING MESSY PLAY WITH EDUCATION
Whilst your children are not at school, it could be a good idea to brush up on their numeracy skills, allowing your child to continue to learn and develop their knowledge at home. Some ideas for free, educational messy play activities could include asking your little one to make numbers and spell out words with Play-Doh or using chalk outside in your garden to draw pictures and write out words. Not only is this activity a free way to spend your day engaging with your child’s interests, but this activity also can help maintain the skills and knowledge that they are learning in school, helping you as a parent to assist in their learning at home.
Other free messy play activities could include letting your child wash their toys with warm, soapy water. This fun, at-home activity can also assist in your child’s learning outside of school, as they are learning how to clean their toys, whilst also having fun doing an activity that appeals to their sensory curiosity.
CREATE A SCAVENGER HUNT
If you and your child are looking for something to do at home this half term holiday no matter the weather and at no cost, an entertaining and physical activity that you can do indoors or outdoors could be creating a scavenger hunt. This activity could include hiding some shapes or snacks around the house or in your garden, then letting your little one search around the house looking for the items. This activity could also be enjoyed amongst a group of friends, so if your child is looking to do something with their friends this summer, why not invite them over to take part in a group scavenger hunt, possibly creating a competition to see which child can find the most items first.
This free, at-home activity is good for doing on rainy days, as you can still hide objects around the house, as well as invite friends, family members or other parents over for the day to make your day even more fun for your little ones.
