How do I do 6 weeks off with NO extra money

Hiya you are not alone don't worry I also have 2 kids and not one extra penny to spend it makes you feel really rubbish doesn't it but it will be fine they won't know any different do you have a back garden? Few suggestions of what I'm doing.

Paddling pool

Picnic

Crafts

Messy play

Bbq

Movie marathon with popcorn

They will love it.. Xx

You’re not a bad mum at all you’re a great mum for even worrying / thinking this way.

in my opinion and experience we took my kids to the zoo for his birthday in may they whinged the whole way round.

we took them to the cinema and they wanted to go to the toilet and mess in there rather than watch the film…

we take them to the park and they will happily play all day and moan when we have to go home….

so I feel my kids are happier being outdoors and picnics ect rather than walking round zoos or sat in cinema ect.

xx

p.s

your kids will just be glad to be off school 🤣

Im sure there are many out there who can't afford outings for their kids. We were in that position too. I can suggest parks and playgrounds if feasible. Kids like it in general and its free. Also , depending on where you live , there might be some kind of free activities such as nursery rhyme session in the library . I have taken my kids there and it's free too. You can try looking up online on activities near you for free. And I could suggest contacting citizens advice bureau too. You might even end up getting grocery store vouchers too when explaining monetary difficulties. I contacted them and i was offered vouchers which was very helpfulll. Hence enabling you to afford some outing for children . Also contact health visitor and they might know of places to refer you to.

You don't say how old they are. These are the things I did with mine, park, making cereal treats, watching things together like movie days, getting poundshop things, paper pens ect. Going to free museums (worth checking out what free events are on,) getting them to make a meal. No jobs day. I also found old paint I had that's good for doing some fun little projects. Some kids will be happy just playing games they have. We used to pick movies we already had 2 or 3 then make rice crispy chocolate snacks and have a movie day. Puzzles and home games too.

Hi I look after children and am always looking for free or cheap ideas to keep them amused. Depending on the area you live you can normally find free activities on Google.

In our area they are doing Wild Wednesday where the kids take part in outdoor activities and there are generally a few freebies that are given out too. Check your local library for summer activities.

Is there a nearby woodland you could walk to? If so ask the kids to find leaves, flowers, sticks etc that they could make a collage with.

Make bird feeders out of pine cones stuffed with peanut butter and seeds if you have any.

Collect pretty wild flowers and freeze in empty containers and hang up outside for decorations.

If you have coloured chalk, let them decorate slabs in the garden.

Painting, learning origami, making paper airplanes, play parks, play dates with friends, picnics even weeding the garden and making dens.

Perhaps even borrow someone's dog and explore your area.

I hope this is of some help😀.

Do you claim any benefits? Each local council will have its own thing but ours has tons of free activities, sports camps etc perhaps go on their website and gave a look. Museums often put free stuff on for kids and libraries. You can look up nature trails that sometimes have free printables for kids. You can sometimes even go on a free tour of your own town or city which I didn't know ours did til last year.

Not sure how old your children are but these are few things we did when money was short:

Bike rides

Make homemade kites then fly them

Treasure hunt (in the house in bad weather)

Bake biscuits/fairy cakes

Pond dipping

Duck feeding

Tree bark rubbings (then make collage on a rainy day)

Pretend restaurant, write a menu set the table special and pretend to be their waiter. (My kids loved this!) It was only fishfingers chips and peas with ice cream and sprinkles

Money is not always important, spending time with your children is the best thing which they will always remember.

My children are grown up now they say they always remember the things we did. I think that is proof that fancy holidays is not always the answer.

Hi you're definitely not a bad mum. We all think they need expensive days out but children just love to be with us and have fun.

Depends how old your children are but museums are free and where I live we have a castle in the town centre and it's free if you live or work in the area,

Also mine would love a walk in the woods we would look for different bugs flowers etc make paper boats and race them down the river,

Pack of crayons and paper, find different textures put paper over a coin or tree trunk and rub with crayon to get the pattern on the paper

Make a chart of things to look out for butterfly, bumble bee, ladybird etc X even food shop I would make them a picture list and get them to do a mini shop it's maths skill and keeps them entertained on a boring food shop

Even when it rained I would do indoor picnics with a blanket on the floor,

Bake a cake or even cheaper decorate biscuits

Board games, contact local church halls they may have free activities

Just remember don't stress yourself out, kids are really simple beings and love spending time with us the most 😘

My kids are teens now but they remember and talk fondly of the days we spent with their friends which virtually cost nothing ….

safety in numbers - get together with mates and have picnics in the park , find safe spots for river paddling etc

The library do a reading challenge over the summer that is free !

Go on a Nature walk and collect leaves / sticks etc and then do some art with them (collage etc )

Hi are there any museums near you that are free entry? With my 13 yr old we live near a river so when it's hot he goes to splash in the river to keep cool. As bus fares are really cheap I am taking him to a museum which is free entry. We are lucky enough to live close to a large park so we will be taking walks etc there. Maybe look online at other things that might be going on for free around your area.

Hi, you're not alone.

Make picnics and take them to different parks, that's what I used to do when mine were little.

You’re not a bad mum - better that you’re careful & don’t get into a mess.

Which area do you live in & what age group are your children? People might be able to post free activities in your area that are suitable. We live in South Yorkshire & there’s lots of sports activities & free events going on round here. Maybe have a look on your council website - also Trip Advisor & Days out with the kids websites have lots of ideas.

I often take ice pops in a flask for a treat at the end of a picnic. Have a look at geocaching - completely free & can be done setting off from your front door. Gets you outside & great for exploring. Hope you have a lovely summer :-)

The things we can do in our area that are free.

pitch and putt

tennis

crabbing

beach

owl sanctuary/horse sanctury

park

see what free activities are happening locally

kids cinema

mini golf (at small cost)

swimming (at small cost). Plus some leisure centres are offering cheap incentives.

cooking.

playing with friends.

@Mum567 M sorry you’re in this situation, please try not to worry. Kids create their own fun anyway!

where are you based? If you’re in North London on the off-chance let me know and I’d love to help out give your children a free tennis camp. I’m a head tennis coach at a club.