14 Excellent Ideas for Cheap Half Term Day Trips
Life may have got expensive but downtime is still important. Here are a few interesting ways to enjoy a cheap day out this half term, to relax and spend some quality time with your nearest and dearest.
Nowadays you need to be in on the tricks and hacks to make days out more affordable. Luckily, I’m here for you! .
If you’ve been Googling “cheap days out near me” and coming up with nothing, then read on. I’ve got the day out deals, freebie inspiration and cheap attractions info you need.
1. Snag a bargain on Groupon
Wowcher and Groupon are great sites for getting discount deals for half term days out. It’s fair to say that not everything will meet your tastes, but every now and then there’s an offer that’s too good to turn down!
From spa days to group meals to escape rooms and much more, there are plenty of options.
2. Explore your favourite book destinations
If you have a favourite book series or favourite author from the UK, there are lots of places to visit. From the woods that inspired the fictional home of Winnie the Pooh (Ashdown Forest), to an island where the Famous Five had an adventure (Brownsea Island), you’ll find some great literary destinations.
Thanks to Bram Stoker, Whitby in Yorkshire is a hotspot for Dracula lovers, while at the other end of the literary scare scale is Hill Top in the Lake District, home to The Tales of Peter Rabbit and His Friends by Beatrix Potter.
3. Get out on your bikes
Going for a cycle is a great way to stretch your legs, go a bit further without taking the car or a train, and get the whole family some exercise. Biking is great for both physical and mental wellbeing, and reducing stress while keeping you fit.
You could take the bikes on the train and then cycle back home for a different adventure.
4. Visit a soft play
Sign up to your local soft play’s email to get the offers through for a cheaper trip. Also, try and time it with your friends and their kids too, so they can play together while you try to keep track / sit and have a coffee.
5. Go on a treasure hunt
A treasure hunt is a great kid-friendly activity that, although might require a little pre-planning, is a lot of fun for little ones. You don’t even need to build anything or spend money on items, just make a list of things they could find in nature. For example, ‘pink flowers’, ‘something spiky’, and so on. Walk around with them and encourage them to find the things on the list.
It’s a great way to save money on days out, and you could organise a small prize for them if they find everything.
6. Go swimming
One of the best ways to save money on days out with kids is to go swimming. Some swimming pools in England offer free swimming in the holidays — or at least, heavily discounted — so it’s a great activity for all ages. Look out for specific kids sessions – my local pool has a wet and wacky session where they get all the floats out which is always fun.
Look out for deals at the local Lido too. There are lots in England and if the weather’s nice in summer you can book a slot for some swimming in the sunshine. Can’t wait for our new one to come to Hilsea in Portsmouth – looks like it’s going to be a big deal!
7. Visit historic castles
Lucky for us here in the UK, we are blessed with many amazing castles which have stood the test of time. They’re beautiful to look at if you don’t fancy going in, but if you plan in advance there are often cheaper deals on tickets, such as family bundles and off-peak options which will help you save money on days out.
Meet the reenactment actors, see the perfectly preserved rooms and take in the history of the place. You might want to invest in English Heritage membership to really save some money, especially if you have a few kids to get in.
8. Cheer on runners
There are always running events to attend throughout the year. Even if you’re not up for putting on your trainers and having a go, it’s always fun to be a cheerleader. A great, totally free day out is to stick some snacks in a backpack and head to the sidelines.
The atmosphere is electric, there’s usually music and entertainment for the runners along the route, and if you feel like being extra kind you can hold out a box of jelly beans or slices of fruit — runners always appreciate the sugar boost!
9. Watch local (crazy) events
Similar to cheering on the runners, there are always events to be a spectator at, and sometimes being on the other side of the barrier is more fun and relaxing anyway. From festivals with eating competitions to vegetable growing contests to… cheese rolling? Yes, it’s clear the UK doesn’t take itself too seriously when you see some of the weird events that happen throughout the year.
10. Go on a street hunt
StreetHunt Games is a great outdoor activity that, although not free, might be on the more affordable side when it comes to days out. The self-guided mystery tour is a bit like a grown-up scavenger hunt meets escape room meets murder mystery, all done outside in your city.
This is a fun one for families, couples, and friends alike. From £15 per person, it can turn into a full day out, and you can get 10% off if you sign up to their mailing list which will help you save some cash.
11. Build an epic obstacle course
A great way to get the kids moving (without having to pay for an activity or play area) is to set up a fun and challenging obstacle course using natural elements. You could use logs for balance beams, rocks to jump over, and tree branches to crawl under. It’s a great way to get the kids moving and burn off some energy.
A good tip for this one is to get together with some other parent friends and work together to make it fun for all the kids in your area. If you have a slide in your back garden, for example, someone else might have a Wendy house, or a pop-up tunnel, so if you put your resources together you can all head to the park and set something up that will blow the kids’ minds. Or, go to a forest.
Bring snacks, juice and anything else you need to make it a super cheap (if not free) day out.
12. Go second-hand book shopping
Readers will always be on the hunt for a new read, so if that’s you (or you’re just a little addicted to browsing book shops) look out for your nearest second-hand book shop. Charity shops are an absolute treasure trove for books.
13. Visit local farms
Seek out the urban city farms, and the many dotted around the countryside in the UK. While many do charge an entry fee, others are completely free as they are often set up as a community project and encourage people to visit without having to pay for a thing, so you can save money on days out.
There are often organised community events and things to do for kids, like feeding the animals or building a bug house. Check out the website for your local farm to see what’s coming up.