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Cheap ways to entertain the kids this Easter

Lucinda Beeman
Written By:
Lucinda Beeman
Posted:
Updated:
05/12/2014

The kids may be off school but that doesn’t mean your budget has to go out the window. Here are some cheap ways to keep your family entertained over Easter.

British families will spend on average £300 keeping the kids entertained over the Easter school break, according to TopCashBack.co.uk.

Visiting several different attractions during Easter can get very costly

But Natasha-Rachel Smith, consumer affairs editor at TopCashBack.co.uk, says with a bit of savvy know-how mums and dads can still keep their children entertained at a fraction of the cost.

Here are some cheap – and even free- things to do with the whole family.

Swing by a city farm

A cheap alternative to petting zoos and more interesting than the park, city farms are a great way to introduce your kids to an amazing array of animals.

Woodgate Valley Urban Farm in Birmingham  is home to pigs, cows, rabbits and sheep, and getting in will only cost you the £1 recommended donation. If your kids get attached to the animals, there are also volunteer opportunities available. While the rainy weather has caused a short-term closure, Woodgate Valley hopes to be open by Good Friday.

Families in the capital can check out Mudchute Park and Farm on the Isle of Dogs. Llamas and Alpacas join more traditional farm animals on the 32-acre site. Entry is 100 per cent free. While you’re there, stop by the Mudchute Kitchens for a coffee, sponsor an animal or head through Greenwich foot tunnel to the Cutty Sark.

Spend a day at the museum…

Free museums are one of the great benefits of living in the UK and make for wonderful family-friendly days out. The National Museum of Scotland, the Manchester Museum and the Horniman Museum in South East London are just three great examples.

… or a quiet afternoon in the library

Teaching your children to love books doesn’t have to come with a price tag. Ideal for drizzly days, some time spent in the public library gives your children access to inspiring books without the cost or the clutter. It also gives mum and dad a chance to catch up on their reading – or at least a few hours of librarian-enforced quiet time.

Also be sure to check your local library for story times or special events.

Have a Great British Bake-off

Though certainly not for the faint of heart, baking with kids is equally idyllic in rain or shine. BBC Good Food has a great collection of recipes to check out, or head to the supermarket for easy boxed cake and muffin mixes. Some simple substitutions- milk for water and butter for oil- will make your pre-mixed cakes taste like they’re from scratch.

Treat the kids to a big day out

Life on a budget doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom; giving your family – and yourself – occasional treats will make sorrow-induced splurges less likely and allow you to enjoy the fruits of your hard work. Factor the cost of a big day or two out into your budget at the beginning of the month and let yourself have fun.

Of course, just because you’ve decided to have an adventure doesn’t mean you can’t cut a few costs while you’re at it. Check discount websites before you book to see if there are deals to be had. TopCashBack.co.uk has offers available for attractions from Legoland in Manchester to the York Dungeon, while TopVoucherCodes.co.uk can save you money at zoos across the country.