A day out with the family is loads of fun and sparks tonnes
of great memories, but on the other hand it can severely impact your bank
balance, especially if it’s the kid’s holidays and you’re struggling to find
cheap and cheerful things to do. This guide is full of useful tips and tricks
to show you how to enjoy a day together with your family without spending a
fortune.
Research
Researching activities to do with the family can save huge
amounts of time on the day and more often than not it is substantially cheaper
to book tickets online rather than paying in person when you turn up. And don’t
forget to look out for places that offer a family ticket (typically two tickets
for the adults and two for children). Similarly, look for student or OAP discounts
when venturing out with the extended family.
Websites such as Day
Out With The Kids are specifically made to compile a list of appropriate
family activities within your local area. Simply enter your post code and
you’ll be presented with loads of ideas nearby. These sites are a huge time-saver,
especially when compared to rifling through leaflets at the Tourist Information
office.
Similarly, websites such as Money Saving Expert have great
deals on a daily basis for tickets that are often available at a much lower fee
than the recommend retail price.
Free attractions
There are a whole range of attractions that are free to
enter that provide an excellent day out for the whole family. The Natural
History and Science Museums in London are completely free to enter (although
they do ask for a small donation of a few pounds upon entry), or there may be small
additional costs for some premier exhibitions. Similarly, parks and public
gardens can provide a great setting for a cheap family day out – why not get
the kids to help you cook some finger food and head out for a picnic on a
summer’s day, or organise a family football tournament over the local common?
Food
Aside from the fact that eating out can be very expensive,
it can sometimes be incredibly difficult to find a restaurant that pleases the
whole family. Instead of spending a fortune on fast food, why not invest in
high quality flasks and food boxes and prepare your own feast? It does involve
a little effort, but you’ll feel much better for saving a few pounds and will be
able to pack snacks and drinks that suit everyone’s tastes, not to mention that
you’ll be more inclined to go for healthier options and will be in a better
position to ignore the call of the nearest McDonalds or KFC when the kids start
getting the munchies.
Transport
When using public transport it is easy to find cheap family
tickets on major rail networks. Similarly, some attractions such as Chester Zoo
offer lower ticket prices for customers who travel to the attraction by
bicycle. Cycling can be fun for all the family – you can even get your hands on
tandems, attachments and specially-made children’s bikes. If you live local to
the attraction, why don’t you use bikes to lower your costs and get some
exercise at the same time?
Family discounts, ‘kids go free’ and off-peak or super off-peak
tickets can all keep the price of the day to a minimum. Don’t forget to enquire
at the ticket office as they will be able to provide you with all the
information you need to stay within your allotted budget.
AUTHOR BYLINE
Glen Stark is a father of four and a passionate excursionist. When Glen isn't out on family day trips he is child's entertainer at the Partyman Company , one of the leading children's entertainment brands in the United Kingdom.
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