Free or cheap things to do in half term with the kids

Half term is almost upon us which means it’s a mad dash to find something for the kids to do. But don’t worry, we’ve got a handy list of fun things to keep the kids occupied over the school break.

Visit a children’s farm or zoo

A zoo or wildlife park is a great way for your kids to discover animals from around the world, and even learn more about what they can do in the future to protect some endangered species. London Zoo is hosting an Easter egg hunt to champion their egg-laying residents, and Bristol Zoo has an exciting climbing adventure course where children of all ages can burn off their energy. Some of the larger zoos such as London Zoo even offer 2-for-1 tickets to those who have travelled with National Rail – simply show your train ticket on arrival!

Meanwhile, smaller farms across the country such as Pennywell Farm in Devon and Cotswold Farm in Gloucestershire offer the chance to get up close and personal with some gorgeous farm favourites and you may even get to see some new spring arrivals.

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Visit a museum and explore the latest exhibitions

They may be off school for the week, but that doesn’t mean they can’t carry on learning outside of the classroom. A great way to keep the kids engaged is the museum. The Museum of London at London Docklands has a whole host of child-friendly exhibits and activities over half term to add to its wealth of historical artefacts, while the Natural History Museum have lots of opportunities for inquisitive families and curious children to get to know fascinating animals of the past, including Life as the Biggest Dinosaur.

Over in Greenwich at the Royal Observatory, sessions in the planetarium are just £5 a child, allowing you and the kids to explore the mysterious and awe-inspiring depths and complexities of space.

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Enjoy free movies at Tyneside Cinema’s bar café

With the unpredictable UK weather, you might be looking for some indoor activities this Easter! Tyneside, a top independent cinema, strives to provide universal access to excellent films. Alongside showcasing both contemporary releases and timeless classics in their main cinema, Tyneside also hosts complimentary screenings weekly in their bar café.

Every Sunday, the Kids Sunday Brunch Club invites children to relish in a beloved classic film at no cost. Plus, for mature moviegoers, Monday Night Movies are available for a mere £5!

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Discover a National Park

There’s no substitute for getting out there and having some good old-fashioned fun outdoors. While spending a whole day outdoors may seem unappealing in the current climate, there are plenty of beautiful national parks that may well tempt you and the kids out to play and explore. The National Trust looks after many of the UK’s picturesque open spaces and they openly encourage families to get out and explore their neighbourhoods come rain or shine.

Make a makeshift shelter with sticks, unearth some curious woodland creatures, play on the wooden obstacle courses, and take part in some crafty indoor workshops. Or just simply allow yourself to get lost down a beautiful new woodland trail. Whatever you and the gang get up to, it’s sure to beat staying at home with nothing to do and gets the whole family involved in doing something memorable together.

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A great value day out with a voucher

A great day out feels even better when it’s not cost the earth. Major brands and attractions are now jumping on the value bandwagon and are offering more cut-price experiences than ever. Travel with National Rail and you and your family can bag 2-for-1 deals on all iconic London attractions such as the lastminute.com London Eye, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort and Shakespeare’s Globe to name but a few.

And it’s not just London either, some nearby towns and villages offer 2-for-1 deals on all things from Cadbury World to walking tours, all you have to do is check to see if your chosen attraction is on the list and show your train ticket when you get there. A trip to the cinema this half term is also an option with many big cinema chains including Vue and Odeon offering cut price kids tickets from £2.50. To save even more, take some snacks from home to save on the expensive cinema treats.

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