Save money on family days out

Taking the kids out can be an expensive business – believe me, as a Mum of three, I know! But over the years, I have picked up a few hacks that help us to make the most of days out without breaking the bank at the same time. So I’ve put together a few of my top tips and tricks to help you to save money on family days out.

Check the weather for the week ahead

If you know you’re going to have the children at home for a week or longer, then it’s worth checking the weather forecast. If the forecast shows a really gorgeous sunny day, then plan a trip to the park or outdoor activities on that day. If it’s forecast torrential rain, think about free and cheap activities you can do at home – such as baking and crafts, or even a DVD afternoon.

Obviously with the British weather, this isn’t going to be foolproof! There are bound to be days where the sun is forecast to shine yet the heavens open. However, it will hopefully help to minimise last minute cancelled plans which leave you at a loss for something to do.

Plan ahead

As much as it can be really tempting just to wake up, get dressed and drag the kids out, this is a surefire way to make you end up putting your hands in your pockets. By planning ahead and thinking about your day before you head out, you could save a small fortune.

If you don’t already own a car, then you might think about hiring one for a day or two, and by planning ahead you can sometimes save money on the cost of car rental. Make sure you always use a reputable hire company such as Car Hire Warrington so that you know you’re hiring a safe and reliable vehicle to use on your days out.

Food

Feeding hungry children can cost an absolute fortune. Packing a picnic can be a big money-saver. Think about packing a variety of foods so that you have something to eat for your actual meal, as well as snacks for when they’re inevitably hungry at the end of the day. If, like me, you have a child who refuses to eat sandwiches, then pack cold pizza, sausage rolls, cheese & crackers, or a wrap. It doesn’t need to be anything extravagant. Squeezy yoghurt tubes and chopped fruit are great as a sweet treat too.

Parking

If you’re driving somewhere, research parking before you go. You can often save money by parking a little bit further away from town centres/beaches etc and walking in. Google is your friend. Googling “best parking places in Chester” for example, will tell you that the cheapest and most convenient place to park is the racecourse.

Buy in advance

If you’re paying to get in somewhere, it’s often cheaper if you buy in advance online. You can also often find free child tickets on packs of chocolate and cereal boxes. It’s worth saving these up as you find them.

Kids Pass

You can save a fortune on days out with Kids Pass. Kids Pass are a digital membership group that offers discounts at cinemas, attractions and restaurants across the UK, along with UK and European holidays!

A 30 day pass will get you:

• Up to 40% off cinema, adult & child tickets, 7 days a week
• Kids eat free deals
• Up to 57% off family days out
• up to 10% off holidays

Kids Pass have regular offers on too – so it’s worth checking – at the moment you can get a 30 day pass for just £1! Time your pass so that you can get the most out of it before it expires.