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It’s half term which means our usual routine is completely out of the window. Our regular playgroups aren’t on, and soft play and the park are usually packed with bigger kids!
So I need a plan for the week. Having a plan always makes our days run a bit smoother and, importantly, helps keep our half term budget in check too.
Like most things I do, it’s all about balancing time, spending and expectations. So I’ve put together a mix of half term activities for toddlers and families; some at home, some days out, some spendy and some completely free.
Our Big Half Term Spend: Warwick Castle and Zog
Let’s kick things off with our big spend of the week… Warwick Castle. Specifically to see Zog…
I’ve wanted to visit for ages and it felt like the perfect excuse for a catch up with a friend who now lives in the Midlands.
A one-day castle entry ticket during half term was coming in at £81, which felt a little steep for a single day out. So I did what I always do and went looking for a better deal.
After a bit of research, I found a family short break deal on VoucherCodes with an overnight stay and free second day castle entry included.
We booked an overnight stay at a nearby Holiday Inn with breakfast included and two days at Warwick Castle for £145.
Still definitely a spendy activity, but much better value for money and it turns a busy day trip into a little family mini break instead.
It also counted as one of my VoucherCodes VIP purchases too, which was an added bonus.
Making the Most of Kids Eat Free Deals This Half Term
While we’re away, we’ll definitely be using one of the many kids eat free offers available during half term.
We always try to make the most of these deals for an affordable midweek family treat because there are so many available during school holidays. You can find a full list here!
One thing I love is that a lot of these offers can be stacked to save even more money. I often combine:
- Restaurant or pub loyalty apps for points and offers
- Cashback gift cards from Sprive or Everup
- Cashback offers through my bank account
Nine times out of ten there’s another little saving to be found.
Free Half Term Activities and Local Events
To balance out the spending, I’m also checking what free half term activities and local events are running.
There’s always something happening. For example, My Pet Pals workshops at Pets at Home are a lovely free activity for children aged 4–10 years. My son is still a little young, but I’m already saving it as an idea for October half term when we’ll need more indoor activities.
For this half term, I’ll be searching local Facebook community groups for free and low-cost family activities.
Some ideas worth checking include:
- Free swimming sessions run by local councils
- Indoor and outdoor groups at Children’s Centres
- Library activities and story sessions
- Museum events and workshops
- Community half term events
- Toy shop events
I find half the battle of avoiding boredom is simply getting out of the house.
As soon as there’s any sunshine, I’ll be packing a quick picnic with whatever is already in the fridge and heading to the local park.
My son is firmly in his bug hunting era, so the bug hunt kit will absolutely be coming along for some easy entertainment.
That said, leaving the house doesn’t mean going far, popping out into the garden with some simple activities can be just as fun.
Some of our favourite easy at-home half term ideas are:
- Toy car, dinosaur or animal washing stations
- Themed cinema afternoons with homemade snack boxes and DIY cinema tickets
- Picnic lunches
- Den building
These things work perfectly indoors too if the weather does turn.
Budget Family Food Ideas: Fakeaways and Easy Dine-In Nights
I love finding ways to make ordinary at-home moments feel a bit more special. That doesn’t just apply to entertaining the kids either.
I love doing a themed family fakeaway night or a simple at-home date night too.
To balance out some of our spending this week, we’ll be ending half term with a family takeaway evening at home.
One of my favourites is homemade topping-your-own pizzas. Sometimes I go all out; homemade dough, pizza oven, loads of toppings.
Other times I keep it simple and use naan breads or pittas as pizza bases and whatever odds and ends we already have in the fridge or freezer. It’s a great way to reduce food waste and still make dinner feel fun.
There are also some brilliant pizza meal deals and dine-in offers around at the moment for those evenings when you want the takeaway feeling without the takeaway cost.
For a super Thrifty family pizza night, a 4 for £5 on frozen food deal at Asda that includes Ernies pizzas. They’re usually £3.74 each! There’s also a coupon on the Asda Rewards app for £2 off when spending £12 on frozen food. Fab for a bit of deal stacking whilst stocking up.
It’s not all about the kids
For a parent friendly pizza or date night, the £10 Co Op deal for 2 pizzas, a side and a 4 pack of beers or soft drinks, There is also 25% off wine when buying 3 or more bottles this bank holiday weekend! You can stack that with Co Op card member offers.
The convenience still scratches that treat itch with hardly any prep and minimal washing up. That’s exactly why I love Dine In offers too, especially the ones that include a bottle of wine and dessert like our favourite Tesco Finest one including steak!
That might just be on the cards for me and my husband to finish off a busy half term week. And yes… I’ll absolutely be stacking it with a cashback gift card for extra savings.
Thrifty Clair 