From free festive workshops to kids-eat-cheap deals, we’ve unwrapped plenty of ways to keep your little ones entertained without spending a fortune.
1. Kids eat for £1 or less at supermarkets
Lots of supermarket and in-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’s2. Tuck into pub and restaurant deals
Some pubs and restaurants also offer cheap or free kids' meals with an adult purchase. Be sure to check the small print first.
Bella ItaliaBeefeaterDobbies Garden CentresHungry Horse Las IguanasTravelodge PretoPurezzaSizzling PubsThe Real Greek Premier Inn3. Budget cinema deals
Looking for something new to watch this Christmas? Swap the sofa for the cinema and enjoy family-friendly blockbusters such as 'Mufasa' and 'Moana 2'.
Most major cinema chains have offers on during the school holidays:
Cineworld’s Movies for JuniorsOdeon KidsVue
4. Bake festive treats
From building gingerbread houses to icing snowmen, baking is a festive way to keep the kids entertained.
Shop around for budget-friendly ingredients to make your bakes even sweeter.
Each month, Which? compares prices at the UK’s biggest supermarkets to find the cheapest. Aldi has consistently been the most affordable for baskets of goods this year, while Asda often leads for bigger shops.
Find out more:5. Get crafty with Christmas workshops
Looking for family activities? From decorating baubles to photography, there’s plenty on offer this Christmas.
Dobbies Garden CentresAppleHobbycraft6. Explore discounted days out
This Christmas, you can get discounted entry to attractions across the UK.
You can step back in time at the Tower of London, where displays show how kings and queens celebrated Christmas in the past. Runs until 5 January.
Alternatively, enjoy festive rides and activities at Legoland Windsor, or explore winter highlights at London Zoo.
Not only do some rail companies let youngsters travel for £1 when you buy an adult ticket, but National Rail also offers two entry tickets for the price of one at a huge number of attractions nationwide.
Check National Rail's Days Out Guide, which also explains which tickets are valid.
Find out more:7. Free entry to museums and galleries
Not only are museums and galleries great for learning, but many offer free entry.
Lots of museums have dedicated exhibitions for children, often featuring interactive displays, although you may have to pay to access some of them.
For example, at the London Transport Museum, little ones can meet Santa in the interactive sleigh until December 23 or join a festive elf trail through the galleries, all included with admission (kids go free).
Meanwhile, at the National Railway Museum in York, families can enjoy holiday-themed crafts, storytelling and the chance to explore historic locomotives during the school holidays.
Find out more:8. Visit Christmas markets
Christmas markets are a great way to get into the festive spirit, and most are free to enter. To save even more, why not bring your own hot chocolate?
Our experts have rounded up the best markets in top UK cities, including Manchester’s bustling stalls, Bath’s Georgian streets filled with handmade gifts, and York’s St Nicholas Fair with its charming alpine chalets.
Find out more
9. Enjoy free festive light displays
Christmas lights are a great way to get into the festive spirit without spending a penny.
Many neighbourhoods have their own displays, often raising money for charity. You can check apps such as Nextdoor or local Facebook groups to find one near you.
Garden centres are also worth a visit for their festive lights and decorations.
In London, you'll find iconic displays on Oxford Street and Regent Street, while the Fleet Street Quarter offers something different with its Penguin Parade. This sculpture trail features 12 uniquely designed penguins, each created by artists to highlight the importance of protecting marine life, with proceeds supporting the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
Outside the capital, cities including Manchester and Edinburgh also offer dazzling light trails – perfect for a winter evening stroll.
10. Host a board game bonanza
Gather the family for a festive board game marathon.
Whether it’s a round of Monopoly or newer favourites such as Herd Mentality, board games are a great way to bring everyone together after a big holiday meal.
Rather than buying them all yourself, you could invite friends over and ask everyone to bring a game of their choice.
Find out moresource https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/10-cheap-and-free-things-to-do-over-the-christmas-holidays-aaiqN8l4drF4