Keeping children busy does not have to mean paying every time you leave the house. Many of the best family days are simple, local and free.
Reliable free ideas
- Local parks, playgrounds and nature trails
- Free museums and galleries
- Library story sessions and reading challenges
- Community fairs, markets and seasonal events
- Self-guided town trails or photo scavenger hunts
- Beach, woods, canals or riverside walks where safe
Make free outings easier
Pack snacks, check toilets before you go, and keep a short backup plan in case the weather changes. For younger children, a two-hour local outing can be just as successful as a full day trip.
Browse free things to do and local family pages such as London, Bristol and Leeds.