Stuck for things to do with the family? Worried about the cost of a day out with the kids? Check out our list of budget-friendly ideas – from museum trips to rainy day activities, get inspired and beat the boredom.
1.Swimming is an amazing way to bond with your child. It keeps them fit, builds their confidence and (most importantly!) wears them out. Selected Better Leisure Centres in Camden offer £1 swimming sessions for children under 16. Available before 10am on Saturdays and Sundays.
2. Parks and green spaces are a brilliant way for children to connect with nature. Why not try a scavenger hunt and look for a particular colour? Create a self-portrait using natural objects, build a bridge out of twigs and test its strength by placing stones on it; count how many types of wildlife you can spot… the list is endless.
3. It is recommended that children over five get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. The NHS have created 10 Minute Shake Up activities linked to Disney and Marvel characters – perfect for squeezing in an extra bit of exercise. Youtube channels such as Go Noodle or Cosmic Yoga also offer free videos that build children’s coordination and fitness.
4. Children just love to get muddy! Woodberry Wetlands are running free family sessions every Sunday until 24th March 2024. No need to book – just turn up and find a member of the Outdoor Learning Team by the education ponds. Activities include pond dipping and hunting for minibeasts.
5. Paper mache is a fantastic activity to try with the whole family. Put a mat or newspaper down to protect any surfaces. Tear old newspapers into long strips. Then combine one mug of flour with one mug of water in a large bowl. Dip the strips of paper into the paste, wipe off any excess and then stick the strips onto your project. Once it dries, the paper mache becomes stiff, and you can decorate it with paints, crayons or stickers.
6. Sensory play engages little ones with the world around them, and can help children develop their language skills. Tie different scarves or clothes together to make a pretend ‘snake’ and then talk about what you can feel. Find leaves and pine cones and sort them by texture or size. Check out the BBC’s Tiny Happy People for more activities for under-fives.
7. Free to all, Kentish City Farm has welcomed families for over fifty years. The farm is an inviting space, with community gardens, a riding arena and a wildlife pond. Visitors can say hello to many different animals – including Shirley the cow. Children are encouraged to get involved, and the farm runs a free Young Farmers Program at the weekends.
8. London has nearly 200 museums and many of them are free to enter. In Bethnal Green, the Young V&A has free admission to their three permanent galleries. Designed to inspire children, the museum is full of interactive spaces packed with hands-on activities.
9. The Science Museum and The Natural History Museum are also free with a pre-booked ticket. The Science Museum website provides free trails for anyone who wants to do a self-guided tour. At The Natural History Museum, children can explore the dinosaur gallery, travel through the centre of the Earth and experience an earthquake simulation as part of the free admission.
10. For many families, a trip to the cinema can be expensive. Luckily, Cineworld offers a family ticket for selected films. A family of four can experience the magic of cinema for £20 – a huge discount compared to a standard family ticket.
Spending time with loved ones doesn’t have to be expensive – all that matters is taking a moment to enjoy each other’s company. For children, those moments will become memories. At Home-Start Camden and Islington, we want to help you make those memories happen.
Article by: Ali