{"id":34575,"date":"2026-06-29T10:00:08","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T09:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/?p=34575"},"modified":"2026-06-29T16:22:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T15:22:16","slug":"free-things-to-do-with-kids-summer-holidays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/things-to-do\/free-things-to-do-with-kids-summer-holidays\/","title":{"rendered":"40 free things to do with the kids in the summer holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"

School’s out for summer! \u2600\ufe0f<\/h2>\n

Time to make some fantastic memories with the kids. We know days out with the family can quickly add up, but there\u2019s no need to break the bank to have a blast this summer.<\/h4>\n

Get ready for a summer of fun with our list of free things to do with kids over the summer holidays!<\/h4>\n
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1. Take a trip to the beach<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"ChildrenSwimming, sandcastles, kite flying, picnics, beach games\u2026 There\u2019s plenty to keep the little ones happy and having fun at the beach. Check out our beach break hotels<\/a> \u2013 to find that beachy paradise holiday you\u2019ve been dreaming of.<\/h4>\n

Looking for the best beaches in the UK? Discover our top 10 favourite beaches here.<\/a><\/h4>\n

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2. Go rock pooling<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"RockRockpooling is an exciting and educational activity perfect for kids who don\u2019t mind getting their hands dirty. Search the rocky terrain near the coast to find a creature or two \u2013 or maybe even a mini sea monster hidden in the depths!<\/h4>\n
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3. Go crabbing in a coastal town<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"CapturedCoastal towns are known for their sea life, including mussels, cockles and crabs. Many quays around the UK welcome the fun activity of crab fishing, also known as \u2018crabbing\u2019. All you need for this is a drop net or hand line, some bait (the smellier the better!) and a bucket to pop the nippy creatures in. Just make sure to return them where they came from once you\u2019re finished.<\/h4>\n

Why not check out Dartmouth or Salcombe, idyllic harbours on the South Devon coast, for catching crabs.<\/h4>\n

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4. Visit a museum<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"KidsThere are plenty of different types of museums scattered across the UK, perfect for keeping little ones entertained. Science, art and technology galore, there will be a free museum to match all interests.<\/h4>\n

The free and popular Natural History Museum<\/span><\/a> in London is a sure hit for all things fossil. The National Museum of Scotland<\/span><\/a> is one of the \u2018Best of the Best\u2019 among TripAdvisor\u2019s Travellers’ Choice Awards<\/span><\/a>. Check out our list of the best museums for kids here<\/a>.<\/h4>\n

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5. Visit an art gallery<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"GirlFrom the words \u2018art gallery\u2019, you may picture lots of paintings and photographs hung on the wall, perhaps something most children may not find enjoyable. But many different free-entry art galleries feature epic immersive events, perfect for fascinating your little ones.<\/h4>\n

Use the Money Saving Expert tool<\/span><\/a> to find free galleries or check out our top picks of the best art galleries in the UK here.<\/a><\/h4>\n
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6. Go geocaching<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"ChildrenGeocaching, the act of finding small, easily concealable capsules with gems hidden inside, has become a favourite summer holiday activity for all ages. With plenty of caches hidden all around the UK, wherever you are, why not get the kids together and have a stroll in search of treasures?<\/h4>\n
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7. Take on a Junior parkrun<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you are looking for a brilliant way to get the kids outside and moving on a Sunday morning without spending a penny, junior parkrun is an absolute lifesaver during the school holidays. These free, weekly, timed 2k events are open to all children aged 4 to 14 and take place in hundreds of parks across the UK<\/span><\/a> every single Sunday morning.<\/h4>\n

The best part about junior parkrun is the incredibly warm, inclusive atmosphere. It is explicitly not a race – kids are encouraged to walk, jog, run or skip at whatever pace they like. There is a fun, group warm-up and high-fiving marshals line the entire route, so your little ones are never out of sight or lacking encouragement. All you need to do is register your child once online, turn up and show their digital barcode.<\/h4>\n
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8. Visit an animal farm or sanctuary<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"ChildrenIf your kids love all things animal, then why not visit one of the UK\u2019s free animal farms and sanctuaries? With plenty of goats, cows, pigs and chickens to pet and feed, you can spend all day meeting and greeting every animal at the farm. Why not visit St Werburgh\u2019s City Farm<\/span><\/a> in Bristol? There is sure to be an activity to suit all of your little ones.<\/h4>\n

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9. Visit a garden in the sky<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"TheLondon has many rooftops open to the public if you know where to look! The Garden at 120<\/span><\/a> and Sky Garden<\/span><\/a> are both popular locations, perfect for taking in the iconic London skyline. You could bring your own picnic for the ultimate rooftop experience. Ensure to book your free ticket<\/span><\/a> at the Sky Garden while at The Garden at 120, you can simply walk in (or up!).<\/h4>\n

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10. Feed the ducks<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"SmallIf you’re out for a stroll or just visiting your local park, why not stop at a lake to feed the ducks? Contrary to popular belief, it\u2019s actually not healthy for ducks to be fed bread, but instead, try to bring along some sliced grapes, lettuce, or frozen peas in water. The kids will love watching the ducks gobble up these treats!<\/h4>\n
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11. Visit the Avebury stone circle<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"AerialThis mysterious stone circle<\/span><\/a> in Wiltshire is reminiscent of the iconic British landmark of Stonehenge, located not too far away. Nobody knows where these stones came from, and that\u2019s exactly what makes them so special! As well as being a national heritage site, the grounds make for an excellent picnic area with plenty of grass and greenery.<\/h4>\n

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12. See a show during Kids Week
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Every summer, the theatre world opens its doors to families for free. Major productions across the UK run free \u2018Kids Week\u2019 initiatives, where kids go free with a paying adult to top shows, but they also host completely free interactive workshops. And best of all, some shows will be running fun-filled activities before or after performances. Running from 20th July to the 31st August 2026, shows part of the Kids Week promotion includes Beetlejuice the Musical, Bluey\u2019s Big Play, The Greatest Showman: Come Alive and Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, to name a few!<\/h4>\n

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13. Visit the local library<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"ChildIf your kids are bookworms or like immersing themselves in a good graphic novel, the library may be a great solution to any summer boredom. Browse your favourite local library and spend a day reading and uncovering new and exciting stories. Check out your book of choice to finish it at home!<\/h4>\n
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14. Visit the Angel of the North<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"AngelThere are plenty of free-to-visit UK landmarks, including the iconic Angel of the North. This giant structure towers 20m high and 54m wide. Constructed with weather-resistant steel and sitting just off the A1, visible to passers-by, this landmark is iconic among locals and tourists alike. It\u2019s the perfect place for a funny snap, so make sure you visit on a beautiful summer\u2019s day.<\/h4>\n

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15. Go on the Potter Trail around Edinburgh<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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A post shared by The Potter Trail (@pottertrail)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n