18 free (or very cheap) ways to create a magical summer for kids

MSE_Jenny
MSE_Jenny Posts: 1,312 MSE Staff
First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
edited 18 July 2019 at 9:33AM in UK holidays, days out & entertainments
The summer break is looming, and if you're looking to entertain kids, we've 18 ways to create a magical summer for free (or very cheap).

Read the full blog: 18 ways to create a magical summer for free (or very cheap)

Comments

  • rootie_2
    rootie_2 Posts: 16 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Backwards day, totally free and any age. Start the day with a bedtime story then a bath etc until a bowl of cereal before bed
  • Teapot55
    Teapot55 Posts: 729 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post Photogenic Name Dropper
    A fun activity that can be enjoyed regularly by younger children (have  a mop handy): Washing up the plastic bottles for recycling in a big bowl of soapy water. Then, after they’ve drained, squashing them all down by treading on them. You need to supervise. 

    Risk assessment: falling off the kitchen chair, slipping up on the wet floor …

    would've . . . could've . . . should've . . .

    A.A.A.S. (Associate of the Acronym Abolition Society)

    There's definitely no 'a' in 'definitely'.
  • Gillby1
    Gillby1 Posts: 659 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker Debt-free and Proud!
    My kids' absolute favourite every year: get a cheap plastic spray bottle and fill with water. They spent hours spraying the fences and garden. Seriously! Add a little washable kids paint and let them spray paint old cardboard boxes too. They also loved 'painting' the fences with water and proper decorator's paint brushes. Pavement chalk was another hit.
    Debt free date: October 2006 :money:
  • ElHar
    ElHar Posts: 8 Forumite
    First Post
    how much money will you save by this
  • Ebe_Scrooge
    Ebe_Scrooge Posts: 7,320 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary Combo Breaker First Post
    ElHar said:
    how much money will you save by this

    Not quite sure what you mean?  You will save money doing these activities compared to, say, a day out a theme park.  Although, I must say your other posts have all the hallmarks of pointless spam-preparing rubbish.
  • Glasskitten
    Glasskitten Posts: 1 Newbie
    First Post
    Another activity that the children may enjoy is 'String Art'. 
    What is needed:
    1  a foam sheet, wood or similar 
    2  pins or nails (the number will depend on the size of art they are making)
    3  string, wool, embroidery silk ( oddments can be used or mix and match,again the amount will depend on the size)
    4  paper to make a stencil

    There are several sets of instructions online which can be read or printed off. It will keep the children entertained for quite a while on a wet day.

  • MSE_Laura_F
    MSE_Laura_F Posts: 1,568 MSE Staff
    First Post First Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    This MSE blog has been updated for summer 2023.

    26 FREE (or very cheap) ways to create a magical summer for kids

    Take a look, and please do suggest any other pointers of your own here.
  • p00hsticks
    p00hsticks Posts: 12,785 Forumite
    First Post Name Dropper Photogenic First Anniversary
    Geocaching - look for secret items hidden around your local area and beyond.
    See how many you can find, and maybe even hide one of your own. 
    Geocaching

  • RAS
    RAS Posts: 32,645 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post
    Cooking, supervised.

    Scotch pancakes aka drop scones.

    Make tomato sauce and basic dough. Plus some chopped veggies, cheese or meat. Rollout your own pizza,  add sauce and decorate as you wish. Or try pizza Blanco, very thinly sliced potato, onion and perhaps some cheese.

    A less challenging version is pizza crumpets.

    Basic cake. Weigh 2 eggs, and the same amount of margarine (not reduced fat), sugar and selfraising flour. Put in a large bowl and mix, then stir until light and creamy, and it will drop if the spoon is shaken. You could add some dried fruit, cocoa powder, cherries, sliced fruit coated lightly in flour. 

    Makes a small loaf, cup cakes or even pudding poured over lightly cooked fruit and baked.

    Eggy bread aka French toast. 
    The person who has not made a mistake, has made nothing
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 343.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 250.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 449.7K Spending & Discounts
  • 235.2K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 607.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 173K Life & Family
  • 247.8K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.9K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards