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Even though the summer holidays have only just begun, many of us have already lost count of the times we’ve heard “I’m bored”.

No matter what your budget is, the summer holiday costs can add up quickly! We’ve put together some free and cheap ideas to help you keep the kids entertained.

Free or low-cost ideas for the family

Mini Olympics

What better time to get involved than during the Olympic Games in Paris? You’ll have to get creative with some sports, but there are plenty of sports you can replicate without having to splash the cash on new equipment.

To make it even more fun, you can even throw in sports day activities like the egg and spoon race!

Board game tournament

Don’t let the Great British weather ruin your plans, embrace rainy days with a board game tournament!

If you don’t have any at home, you can often pick up cheaper games from your local charity shop – or even borrow from your friends.

Go outdoors

Head outdoors and explore your local farms, or take a walk in the nearest countryside. Many farms offer free or low-cost entry and provide a fantastic opportunity for kids to learn about animals and nature.

Walking trails and nature reserves are often accessible and offer the chance to spot wildlife.

Gardening

Whether planting flowers and vegetables or creating a mini herb garden, gardening can be a fun, rewarding and educational activity.

Join a library

Libraries have so many fantastic free resources. Many local libraries offer summer reading schemes, story time sessions, and other activities for children. You can also borrow books, DVDs, and games.

Arts and crafts

With supplies like paper, glue, markers, and paint, you have everything you need to get started. You can find plenty of DIY craft ideas online that use household items.

From making jewellery and decorating picture frames to creating fun decorations for the house, the possibilities are endless.

Try a new skill

You could also try your hand at a new skill, such as computer coding, an instrument, a new sport, photography, or cooking.

While you may have to invest money initially to buy the equipment or lessons, it could be a cost-effective way to spend your free time over the summer.

TikTok

While it may seem like the unknown, there is a huge community of parents and young people on TikTok. You can head online with your children to learn the latest dance trends and even share your videos with your friends and loved ones.

You can also document your summer in a vlog and create content that you can look back on in years to come.

Baking or cooking

Baking and cooking together can be a fun, educational, and tasty way to spend time. Choose simple recipes that the kids can help with, it could be cookies, fruit bowls, or homemade pizzas.

Not only will they learn valuable cooking skills, but they’ll also enjoy the fruits of their labour.

Eating out for less

We’ve also put together a guide to where kids can eat for ‘free’ during the summer holidays.

Contact us

If you’re struggling with debts, call us on 0800 316 1833. We’re open from 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday, and 9am – 3pm on Saturdays. Alternatively, you can visit our advice page to speak to us via live chat or for more information.

If you’re looking for ways to make the most of your money, BudgetSmart has hundreds of easy actions you can take to improve your monthly budget.