May Half-Term Fun: Free and Affordable Activities for Kids and Families
Looking for exciting yet budget-friendly ways to keep the kids entertained this May half-term? We’ve rounded up a bunch of great offers and activities that will make your family’s holiday memorable without breaking the bank.
Catch the Latest Flicks for Less
Planning a family movie day? Major cinema chains have fantastic deals during the school holidays. Here are some top picks:
Cineworld’s Movies for Juniors: Enjoy children's tickets for just £2.50.
Odeon Kids: Adults pay the same price as children every day during the holidays, plus every Saturday and Sunday.
Vue’s Mini Mornings: Catch early screenings at 10am for £2.49 per ticket for both adults and kids.
Don't forget, dining cards can save you even more. Gourmet Society members get up to 40% off at Odeon and Cineworld, and 30% off at Vue. Amazon Prime members can snag two Odeon standard tickets for £10 or two Luxe tickets for £15, Monday to Thursday.
Half-Price Days Out
Fancy a day trip? Your train ticket could unlock big savings:
National Rail’s 2-for-1 Tickets: Buy an adult ticket and get entry to top attractions like the London Eye, Sea Life aquariums, and historic landmarks like Kew Gardens and Leeds Castle for half the price.
Kids for £1: Some rail companies offer £1 tickets for kids when you purchase an adult ticket.
Tesco Clubcard Rewards: Convert points into vouchers for wildlife parks and other attractions.
Check out the National Rail Days Out Guide for more details and exclusions.
Affordable Theatre Tickets
Theatre outings don’t have to be expensive:
Disney Day Seats: Every Monday at noon, grab £29.50 tickets for Disney shows like The Lion King and Frozen.
Ticket Lotteries: Participate in lotteries for shows like Hamilton to win tickets for as low as £10 to £35.
Cheaper Seats: Opt for seats at the back or with restricted views for a lower price. Use SeatPlan to preview your view.
Booking directly through theatre websites can also offer better deals than third-party sites.
Free In-Store Workshops
Get crafty with these fun, educational workshops:
Dobbies Garden Centre: Free Little Seedlings workshops for kids aged 4-10, held on the first Sunday of every month.
Hobbycraft: Craft workshops starting from £5, including activities like Clay Safari animals and friendship bracelets.
Lego Stores: Free activity workshops for children aged 6-12. Book on the Lego website.
Pets at Home: Free animal workshops during school holidays. Advance booking required.
Explore Free Museums
Museums are treasure troves of fun and learning, often at no cost:
Many museums offer special exhibitions and interactive displays for children, sometimes with a small fee for certain exhibits.
Look out for activity sessions or craft days during school holidays and weekends. Booking ahead is advised.
Family Fun on the Farm
Urban farms provide a fantastic free day out:
London Farms: Visit Mudchute Park and Farm, Spitalfields City Farm, Stepney City Farm, Belmont Children's Farm, and Hackney City Farm.
Northern UK: Check out Ouseburn Farm in Newcastle upon Tyne or Rice Lane City Farm in Liverpool, both offering free events.
Get Active
Keep the family moving with these free activities:
Parkrun: Free weekly 5k community runs and walks on Saturdays, with Junior Parkrun for 4-14 year-olds on Sundays. No time limit, and everyone’s welcome!
Nuffield Health: Free fitness classes for girls aged 11-16 as part of the Move Together scheme. Book in advance online.
Spring Walks: Explore top-rated UK walking routes in the countryside for a more relaxed activity.
Swim for Free
Splash around for free at your local pool:
Many local authorities offer free swimming sessions. For example, Wandsworth Council provides free swimming lessons for 5-7 year-olds during half-term, and kids under 8 can swim for free anytime.
With so many options available, you’re sure to find something fun and affordable for the whole family this May half-term. Enjoy the break!
