10 Cheap Activities for Kids to do in the Holidays
The school holidays can be an expensive time so we’ve come up with 10 cheap activities to do with the kids which are low cost and fun. For each activity we’ve got a website link to various organisations which have more information – from doing a Blue Peter badge, trying geocaching to being Eco friendly.
10 cheap activities for kids during the summer holidays
Nature a home
Give nature a home in your garden or backyard – check out the RSPB website for ideas with kids (it’s brilliant)
Blue Peter
Do a Blue Peter badge – see the Blue Peter website for more details on the different types of badges they have and how to do one.
Geocaching
Try geocaching – there is a geocaching app for phones where you can find local geocaches in your area – see the geocaching website for the app and what’s involved.
Treasure Hunt
Make your own treasure hunt around the house and/or garden inspired by geocaching. Hide puzzles or treats in containers for the them to find.
Build a den
Build a den – inside or outside and have a picnic in it. The Eden project website has a great ‘how to’ page for den building and items to make it from which you might have at home see The Eden Project website
obstacle course
Create an obstacle course – pinterest has loads of ideas for a DIY obstacle course or Martha Stewart has some great ideas for an obstacle course birthday party but these could be adapted for fun days at home : see the Martha Stewart website
Science experiments
Do some Science experiments – check out National Geographic kids section for some ideas at natgeokids or have a look at the main page for further ideas https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/category/discover/science/.
Eco activities
Eco activities with kids. Get the kids involved with some environmental themed activities. The Eco Friendly Kids site is quite good I stumbled across the Kids for Saving Earth website – it’s an American site so some aspects are relevant to the US such as wildflower identification but the principles and ideas and are the same for involving kids in eco friendly activities. One of the great things about the site is that they have a page of printable certificates and awards, so if you do something at home you can print off a certificate to help with motivation and encouragement.
The website has a list with links of activities to do such as making paper aeroplanes with recycled paper https://kidsforsavingearth.org/programs/eco/. Another option for ideas is the World Wildlife Fund – they have activities listed under youth groups (such as for Brownies or Scouts) but the ideas are great to try with your own kids to get them involved and thinking about the planet! https://www.wwf.org.uk/get-involved/youth-groups/activities
Wildlife watching
Wildlife watching. The UK based website Wildlife Trust has ideas of how to get involved in wildlife activities to places to visit wildlifetrusts.org
National Trust
National Trust 50 things to do before 11 ¾ – there are some lovely ideas so you can adapt them to suit your children’s ages. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
For more information on how to get the kids involved in planning activities see our blog post on Summer Holiday Planning here.