School Holiday Deals guide discussion 11 April 2011 at 5:39PM edited 1 May 2019 at 11:04AM in UK holidays, days out & entertainments 15 replies 12.9K views

MSE_Jenny

This thread is specifically to discuss the

Things to do with the kids guide.

To reply or discuss the article, just click reply.

Thanks

JimmyTheWig

Doesn't sound very MoneySaving, but how abour hiring a bouncy castle?
We had one here yesterday. Cost £41. Was here from 8am until 8pm. Had a load of friends round, including 20+ children.

Far from a free activity, I know, but pretty good vaule to keep that number entertained all day.

expressduck

Nice idea. Good if you could persuade 2-3 more parents to do the same.....You could get 3-4 days of entertainment for £40......

EmmaSETHI

I signed up to the b&q club first, as it says to but when I go on to the classes they're £5 each, not free? I'm confused!!!

iammumtoone

Has anyone tried geocaching? I've just been looking at the site and it looks quite interesting, there are a couple around where we live so might give it a go.

Does anyone know of a free GPS app for it? (I have an ipod) I don't want to buy theirs until I know we enjoy it. Also what exactly do you look for? Is it like a black container?

Thanks

Former_MSE_Paloma

Hi EmmaSETHI,

Thanks for your post about the B&Q Kids Can Do It classes. Now you're signed up, you need to find your nearest participating B&Q store (right hand side saying: workshops available in the following stores...) then call the number below that to book a place. You'll need to quote your membership number to get the £5 classes for free.

Kind regards,

MSE Paloma

newsgroup_monkey

iammumtoone wrote: »

Has anyone tried geocaching? I've just been looking at the site and it looks quite interesting, there are a couple around where we live so might give it a go.

Does anyone know of a free GPS app for it? (I have an ipod) I don't want to buy theirs until I know we enjoy it. Also what exactly do you look for? Is it like a black container?

Thanks

There isn't a free app for ipod there is one for Android)

We've been 'caching for 8 years now so quite au-fait.

A few hints and tips;

Don't try to get too many on your first go. It's soul destroying searching and searching and searching for lots of caches. Go out, get 1 or 2 and get the feel for "hides"

Then do a search around your area for "trails". 6 or more caches in a circle. Your profile doesn't say where you are, otherwise I'd make some suggestions.

Look for ones that are described as "Small or Large". Don't go hunting for "micros" or "other" (Usually nanos). Kids aren't interested. They want to find ones with toys, travel bugs and other niceties. Don't forget the rule with swaps; trade even or trade up. Travel bugs and Coins aren't swaps.

Check the logs before you go out - if there are 2 or more "DNFs" or "Did not find" logs, don't bother looking for them; chances are the Geocache is either missing or difficult to find (see above)

And as an owner of 2 children (both older now - 12 and 16), don't push it. Much as you might find it really, really fun (and they do) don't try doing it every day. With a few exceptions, I've seen kids really put off because the parents make it a chore. Intersperse other activities; for instance I live near Dunstable Downs so could pick up 3 or 4 caches whilst having a picnic and flying a kite for a really cheap day out.

iammumtoone

newsgroup_monkey wrote: »

There isn't a free app for ipod there is one for Android)

We've been 'caching for 8 years now so quite au-fait.

A few hints and tips;

Don't try to get too many on your first go. It's soul destroying searching and searching and searching for lots of caches. Go out, get 1 or 2 and get the feel for "hides"

Then do a search around your area for "trails". 6 or more caches in a circle. Your profile doesn't say where you are, otherwise I'd make some suggestions.

Look for ones that are described as "Small or Large". Don't go hunting for "micros" or "other" (Usually nanos). Kids aren't interested. They want to find ones with toys, travel bugs and other niceties. Don't forget the rule with swaps; trade even or trade up. Travel bugs and Coins aren't swaps.

Check the logs before you go out - if there are 2 or more "DNFs" or "Did not find" logs, don't bother looking for them; chances are the Geocache is either missing or difficult to find (see above)

And as an owner of 2 children (both older now - 12 and 16), don't push it. Much as you might find it really, really fun (and they do) don't try doing it every day. With a few exceptions, I've seen kids really put off because the parents make it a chore. Intersperse other activities; for instance I live near Dunstable Downs so could pick up 3 or 4 caches whilst having a picnic and flying a kite for a really cheap day out.

Thanks for the advise.

I have an android phone which I don't use so I will dig it out to use for this.

We live in North Norfolk I have looked on the site and there are several local to us. I did wonder about the ones with just a piece of paper in, like you say I can't see me getting a 6 year old interested in those. I was going to do one at a time but based on what you said we might look for 2 just in case we don't find one (to be honest it didn't occur to me that we wouldn't find it).

Thanks again for your help.

kingfisherblue

Just to add to the cinemas that offer a kid's club price. Reel Cinemas have kid's club every Saturday and Sunday throughout the year, but they also offer it on several weekdays during school holidays. The cost is £1.10 per person, adult or child.

The list of locations is here:

http://www.reelcinemas.co.uk/

Willowpop

kingfisherblue wrote: »

Just to add to the cinemas that offer a kid's club price. Reel Cinemas have kid's club every Saturday and Sunday throughout the year, but they also offer it on several weekdays during school holidays. The cost is £1.10 per person, adult or child.

The list of locations is here:

http://www.reelcinemas.co.uk/

Vue and Odeon have kid's clubs too.

kingfisherblue

Willowpop wrote: »

Vue and Odeon have kid's clubs too.

Cineworld as well - I was just adding to the list that is in the link from the first post. Vue, Odeon and Cineworld were already listed , but Reel wasn't

Incidentally, Reel tickets are only £3.30 (child or adult) for all films on Mondays and Wednesdays . My daughter also tells me that you can get £3.30 tickets on Tuesday and Thursdays as well if you sign up to Vouchercloud.