Make the Most of the 2026 Summer Holidays on a Budget

The six-week summer holidays are one of the most expensive times of year for families. Between days out, childcare, food and keeping children entertained, costs can (and often do) quickly add up.

The good news? You don't need to spend hundreds of pounds to create memorable family experiences.

Whether you're looking for free things to do with kids in the summer holidays, cheap family activities, or budget-friendly summer holiday ideas, there are plenty of ways to keep children entertained without stretching your finances.

This guide shares affordable activities that encourage creativity, outdoor play and family time, helping you enjoy the school holidays while keeping spending under control.

So, we’ve come up with some budget-friendly ways the make the most of the six week-long summer holidays. Scroll on to get some inspiration for free and affordable activities you and your family can enjoy this Summer.

Quick Ideas: Cheap Things to Do in the Summer Holidays

If you're looking for inspiration, here are five low-cost activities that are fun for children of different ages:

• Grow vegetables or flowers together
• Pack a picnic and explore a local park or nature reserve
• Declutter and organise bedrooms as a family
• Visit the beach with a homemade packed lunch
• Fly a kite in an open green space

Each activity can be adapted to suit your budget, the weather and your children's ages.

The top 5 ways to enjoy the summer holidays on a budget

There are a whole host of activities you can enjoy with the kids this summer with little to no expenditure. And so, without further ado, here are the to 5 ways to make the most of the summer holidays without breaking the bank.

1. Get Gardening Together

Gardening is one of the best free activities for children because it combines outdoor play, learning and responsibility.

Children can:

• plant seeds
• water plants
• collect weeds
• deadhead flowers
• harvest fruit and vegetables
• watch plants grow over time

If you don't want to buy seeds, try collecting them from existing plants or use seeds from peppers, tomatoes, chillies or pumpkins already in your kitchen.

Gardening also creates natural opportunities to teach children about:

• wildlife
• pollinators
• photosynthesis
• healthy eating
• caring for the environment

Even young children love checking each morning to see whether their seedlings have appeared.

Budget tip: Reuse yoghurt pots, egg boxes and food containers as seed trays instead of buying new equipment.

2. Pack a Picnic and Explore Somewhere New

A picnic is one of the easiest ways to enjoy a family day out without paying expensive attraction fees.

Instead of heading to costly attractions, explore somewhere closer to home, such as:

• local parks
• woodland walks
• country parks
• lakes and reservoirs
• beaches
• nature reserves

Preparing lunch at home instead of buying food while you're out can save a significant amount, especially for larger families.

Turn the walk into an adventure by creating a simple nature treasure hunt. Challenge children to spot:

• butterflies
• birds
• different leaves
• wildflowers
• insects
• animal tracks

It costs nothing but helps keep younger children engaged throughout the day.

3. Organise your Home Together

The school holidays are a great opportunity to tackle bedrooms, wardrobes and playrooms together.

Rather than seeing organising as a chore, make it a family project.

Children can help:

• sort toys
• organise books
• tidy wardrobes
• donate unwanted clothes
• decide where everything belongs

When children help create organisational systems, they're often more likely to maintain them afterwards.

If you're short on storage, consider practical bedroom furniture such as storage beds, drawers or shelving to make better use of available space.

Expert tip: Label boxes or baskets with pictures for younger children to make tidying up easier.

4. Plan an Affordable Beach Day

A day at the beach can be one of the cheapest family days out during the summer holidays.

Planning ahead helps avoid unnecessary spending.

Pack:

• drinks
• snacks
• sandwiches
• sun cream
• towels
• hats
• spare clothes
• buckets and spades

Rather than buying everything from seafront shops, pick up supplies from your local supermarket beforehand.

Even small savings quickly add up across an entire family.

If the weather isn't ideal for paddling, beachcombing, rock pooling and flying kites can still provide hours of entertainment. And an added bonus is that you should all sleep better after spending a day in the sea air.

5. Fly a Kite

Few activities capture the feeling of summer quite like flying a kite.

Whether you already own one or decide to make one together at home, kite flying is inexpensive, active and surprisingly entertaining.

Good locations include:

• beaches
• open fields
• hills
• country parks
• large recreation grounds

Children also enjoy decorating homemade kites before testing them outdoors.

It's a simple activity that combines creativity, exercise and quality family time.

More Free Summer Holiday Ideas

If you're looking for even more inspiration, try:

• visiting your local library
• following a family cycle trail
• creating a garden obstacle course
• making nature art
• camping in the garden
• visiting free museums
• stargazing on clear evenings
• creating a family movie night at home
• baking together
• organising a neighbourhood scavenger hunt

Many local councils, libraries and museums also run free or low-cost children's events throughout the summer holidays, so it's worth checking what's available near you.

How to Save Money During the Summer Holidays

Small changes can make a big difference over six weeks.

Some simple ways to reduce costs include:

• plan activities in advance
• prepare packed lunches
• use public parks instead of paid attractions
• alternate paid days out with free activities
• borrow books and games from your local library
• look for free community events
• travel outside peak times where possible

Creating a rough weekly activity plan can also help avoid expensive last-minute decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I keep my children entertained during the summer holidays for free?

Outdoor activities, gardening, picnics, nature walks, libraries, playgrounds, beaches and family games all provide hours of entertainment without costing anything.

What are the cheapest family activities?

Some of the most affordable activities include flying a kite, visiting local parks, cycling, gardening, home movie nights, baking together and exploring nearby nature reserves.

How can I reduce the cost of summer holidays?

Planning meals, packing lunches, mixing free activities with occasional paid days out and using local community events can significantly reduce overall spending.

Are free family activities still educational?

Absolutely. Gardening, wildlife spotting, cooking, reading, visiting museums and exploring nature all help children develop practical skills while having fun.

Make Every Summer Memory Count

The best summer memories rarely come from the most expensive days out.

Whether you're growing vegetables together, sharing a picnic in the park or simply flying a kite on a breezy afternoon, spending quality time together is often what children remember most.

At Bensons for Beds, we know that active summer days are even better after a great night's sleep. From children's beds and practical storage solutions to supportive mattresses for the whole family, we're here to help every member of your household wake refreshed for tomorrow's adventure.