October half term ideas for cheap family days out

Lots of parents will be wondering how to keep their kids entertained without blowing the family budget this half term. When money’s tight, even a simple day out can feel out of reach.

But fun doesn’t always have to come with a hefty price tag. We’ve rounded up family days out that are either free or budget friendly and get you out of the house to make lots of special memories.

Explore the great outdoors

When money’s tight, the great outdoors can be your best friend. There are plenty of beautiful trails to explore all over the UK and a hiking trip is often one of the cheapest activities you can do as a family.

Woodland Trust

With over 1,000 woods across the UK open to the public for free, the Woodland Trust is full of opportunities to get muddy and spot diverse wildlife with the kids. Their website has loads of fun, free ideas on family days out, including tips to organise a scavenger hunt, a den building guide, and ideas on creating natural art. You can find even more free family day out ideas and a map of all their sites on the Woodland Trust website.

Wildlife Trust

Many Wildlife Trust nature reserves offer free entry and are perfect for spotting birds, bugs, and other creatures. Some local branches have family friendly activities like sand pits, mud kitchens and outdoor gyms. Even without an event, a walk through a reserve can spark curiosity and wonder. Take a look at the Wildlife Trust website to explore kid friendly spots all over the country.

Stick Man trails – Forestry England

If your little ones love Julia Donaldson’s Stick Man books, they’ll adore these themed forest trails. Available at 26 Forestry England sites across England, the trails feature activity panels that follow Stick Man’s journey through the woods.

Kids can complete nature challenges and spot wildlife along the way. Trail packs cost around £4, but you don’t need one to enjoy the walk as the forest itself is free to explore. You can find your nearest Stick Man trail on the Forestry England website.

Check out local community events

Across the UK, places of worship, community centres, libraries, and local charities pull together to offer free or cheap activities that bring families together.

If you’re not sure what’s happening near you, check your local council’s website or search “half-term family events” on local Facebook groups. You might be surprised by how much is going on and how little it costs.

Visit local museums

Local museums are often free to enter or heavily discounted for children. In England alone, there are more than 200 free museums to choose from. They can be a great educational day out for the whole family.

From the Natural History Museum in London to the National Railway Museum in York, there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy. The WhichMuseum website offers a handy overview if you’re looking for options closer to home.

Have a family meal out

Eating out can be expensive, but lots of popular chains across the UK run Kids Eat Free (or just £1) offers during half term. Here are a few popular chains that are running these offers if you’re considering a family meal out.

• Ask Italian – up to two kids can get a free meal from the kids' menu as long as at least one adult orders a main menu item
• Bill’s - up to two kids eat free all day when an adult orders any main dish; available every weekday, but not on weekends
• TGI Fridays – one free kids’ meal with an adult’s main; offer available all day, every day for kids up to 12 years old
• Harvester – kids eat for £1 as long as at least one adult orders a main meal
• Las Iguanas – kids eat free (main meal, drink and dessert) when an adult orders a main meal

These are just a small sample of the restaurants and cafes running special offers, so it’s worth checking with your favourite chain to see if they’re doing something similar. Just make sure you read the fine print before you go, as some need you to download an app or sign up for their loyalty programme first.