11 cheap and free things to do over the Easter holidays

If you’re looking for things to do over the Easter break to keep the kids egg-cited you’ve come to the right place. 

Which? has rounded up 11 ideas to help you fill a fun-packed calendar without cracking your budget, complete with special deals, money-saving hacks and free things to do.

1. Get a £1 meal

Lots of supermarket and store cafés offer ‘kids eat free’ deals or similar during the school holidays. Here are some of the best offers we’ve seen, where you won't have to spend more than a fiver.

Asda:IkeaMorrisons:Sainsbury’s

...or a pub or restaurant deal

Lots of restaurants also have kids offers during the holidays if you purchase a main meal. 

Bella Italia:Beefeater:Bills:Dobbies Garden Centres:Hungry HorseTGI Fridays:Travelodge:Premier InnPreto: Sizzling Pubs:The Real Greek

You could also consider getting a dining card, which could save you up to 50% at thousands of restaurants across the UK.

2. Theme park thrills

Many theme parks are opening back up for spring and there are ways to save on the price of a ticket. 

Buy in advanceConsider an annual pass if you go more oftenLook for coupons:Convert loyalty points:

3. Enjoy the latest movies for less

Some family favourites are returning to the cinema this spring - from Kung Fu Panda 4 to Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. 

If your kids want to watch the latest blockbuster in the cinema, make sure you save on tickets. Most major cinema chains have offers during the school holidays. 

Cineworld’s Movies for Juniors screenings offer children's tickets for £2.50.

Odeon Kids has a deal where adults pay the same price as a child every day during the school holidays, as well as every Saturday and Sunday.

Vue has Mini Mornings screenings from 10am during the school holidays. Tickets for adults and children cost £2.49 each.

You could also save money at the cinema with your dining card. For example, Gourmet Society offers 40% off at Odeon and Cineworld, and 30% off Vue. Meanwhile, Tastecard offers 25% off at hundreds of cinemas across the UK. 

And if you have an Amazon Prime account, you can get two Odeon standard tickets for £10, or two Odeon Luxe tickets for £15 Monday - Thursday.

Find out more:

4. Buy the best value Easter egg

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5. Discounted days out

If you fancy a day out in the city, your train ticket can unlock savings.  

Not only do some rail companies let youngsters travel for £1 when you buy an adult ticket, but National Rail offers two entry tickets for the price of one at a huge number of attractions nationwide, including the London Eye, Sea Life locations across Great Britain and several historic landmarks including Leeds Castle and Hampton Court Palace. 

Before you book, check National Rail's Days Out Guide, which also explains which tickets are valid.

If you're a Tesco Clubcard holder, you can convert the points you earn on your loyalty card into vouchers to spend with its Tesco Clubcard Reward Partners. These can often be used at wildlife parks and other attractions.

Find out more

6. Easter egg trails

One fun activity for youngsters around Easter is to hard boil eggs, and decorate them with marker pens or any other craft materials you have.

Once they're decorated, you can hide them around the garden or outdoors in your local park to make an Easter egg trail.

If you don't fancy making the eggs, you can buy chocolate eggs, or get some egg cases for as little as £2 and put your own chocolates inside.

7. Family fun at the farm

Many cities have urban farms which include free entry.

London has a number of city farms offering kids the chance to experience animals up close, including the Mudchute Park and Farm, Spitalfields City Farm, Stepney City Farm, Belmont Children's Farm and Hackney City Farm.

If you live in the north or north west, you could visit Newcastle upon Tyne's Ouseburn Farm, and Rich Lane City Farm in Liverpool which offers various free events.

Alternatively if you want some animal interaction but you don't live near a farm, Pets at Home offer free animal workshops for 4-11-year-olds. 

During the Easter holidays, events will run at Pets at Home stores between 23 March until 14 April. You'll need to book a place in advance on the Pets at Home website.

8. Learn something new at museums

Not only are museums and galleries great for learning, but many are free. 

Lots of museums have dedicated exhibitions for children, often featuring interactive displays, although you may have to pay to access some exhibitions. 

During the school holidays and weekends, some museums also run activity sessions or days where kids can get involved in crafts. Booking in advance is recommended.

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9. Explore the great outdoors

Parkrun facilitates free weekly community running and walking events that take place all around the world. 

The main 5k events take place on Saturday mornings, with Junior Parkrun for children aged four to 14 on Sundays. There is no time limit and no one finishes last!

As it's Bluebell season, you can also find details of bluebell walks near you via the National Trust and Woodland Trust.

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10. Snap up cheap theatre tickets

Taking the whole family to the theatre can be pricey, but there are a few ways to save money: 

Disney Day Seats:Enter lotteriesOpt for cheaper seats: Book direct:

11. Book swap

If you fancy reading something new over the holidays, how about arranging a swap with your friends and family. 

Or take a visit to your local library, some even allow you to read digital magazines and newspapers from the comfort of your own home. 

To find out what your nearby library offers, visit your local council's website and sign up for free.

Find out more:

source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/11-cheap-and-free-things-to-do-over-the-easter-holidays-aODkW7a7fHKK