A simple family day out has become much more expensive in recent years, and so it’s difficult to go anywhere without spending a small fortune. Zoos and Theme Parks tickets are ever increasing, it just becomes impossible especially if you have more than one child. Thankfully, a few nice options like maybe taking the kids to eat their favorite food at a seafood restaurant are still quite viable. I’d wager you’d be surprised how many more options like this one are still out there, so I’m going to let you in on some of my favorite fun days out to take the kids on!
Museums
Not matter where you live there will always be a local museum. There are so many to choose from and a lot of them are free as well as child-friendly. Taking your children to museums when they’re young is so important; there are so many immersive experiences that they can enjoy and treasure forever. My recommendations would be the ‘Natural History Museum’ in London, the ‘Eureka! Museum’ in Halifax, and the ‘World Museum’ in Liverpool if you’re in the UK.
Beach
The beach is one of my families’ favourite days out as it’s so versatile. If you want to spend money on buckets and spades, fish and chips, ice cream and more, you can, but if you don’t want to spend anything, that’s fine too! All you need is towels, a blanket, swimming costumes and you’re ready for a great day at the beach. Things like building sandcastles, swimming in the ocean, and creating memories with your kids cost absolutely nothing. If you don’t live near one why not consider camping for a night nearby, that could be a fun experience in it self!
Hiking/Walking
There are a huge array of walks to choose from in the UK, and there is bound to be a few that suit your abilities and preference. Whether you and your kids want a coastline walk, a marshy walk, or perhaps hilly walks, Britain has got you completely accommodated. I would check out the National Parks with your kids online and see which ones are close to you, and which appeal to you. You could even add another element to hiking and plan your own, you’ll kids will learn some valuable mapping reading skills as well. Then all you need to do is concentrate on the packed lunch and getting the kids ready! I like to bring some identification booklets so we can spend time identifying trees, birds, bugs or plants.
Explore a town/city
Is there a nearby town or city that you’ve always wanted to explore together? Exploring churches, museums, streets, and independent shops is a great family day out and doesn’t need to cost a penny. Some people definitely don’t have the willpower to walk around a high street without being tempted to spend though, so just be strong! We particularly enjoy walking around London as there’s always something new and exciting to see, and there are so many parks to stroll around. Consider adding some cultural diversity to your explorations, perhaps trying out Mexican dining with live music for a vibrant and memorable experience.
Photography
My kids love the opportunity to use my cameras on days out, it’s a great way to keep them occupied and they might even continue on the hobby when they’re older! Don’t worry if you don’t have a DSLR or digital camera, as the camera on smartphones is certainly good enough these days. You can either let your kids have free reign of whatever they want to take photos of, or you can set certain tasks, such as, ‘take photos of 10 things that you think are beautiful’. This is such an easy idea for a day out because you can drive to a park, or town, or beach – it can be incorporated into wherever you want to go.
Your kids are bound to love at least one of these ideas, and maybe they’ll love them all! There’s no need to feel guilty about not wanting to spend a huge amount of money on days out, all of the best memories are created without the necessity to spend anything. All of these ideas go perfectly with packing a picnic or lunchbox, or even dining at a Dine In Family Restaurant for lunch.