Keeping the kids entertained in the holidays doesn’t come cheap. In fact, one study* found that parents spend an average £126 a WEEK per child on activities in the summer holidays alone.

There are ways to save money though (phew!) and they’re all super easy to do. From free days out and bargain rainy day activities to money-making ideas that your kids can get involved in, there’s plenty to try.

*Survey of 2,000 parents

1. Make your own snacks

Your kids like to snack. A LOT. Which means in the school holidays, your fridge and cupboards are probably stripped bare.

Head to Aldi to restock, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much money you can save. Don’t just take our word for it: Aldi was voted the cheapest supermarket in 2022 by Which? .

Pack snacks and picnics for any day trips too. This will save you loads of money and you can ensure your child is having healthy snacks. Aldi’s Super 6 includes discounted fruit and veg, perfect for making tubs of carrot sticks or apple slices.

2. Look for free events

From museums to markets, there are loads of free days out for the whole family. Check our free listings here .

Keep an eye on local Facebook pages for details of events near you. For example, fire crews often hold open days when the weather gets warmer and your child will get to sit in the fire engine.

Look out for nationwide freebies too: the National Trust sometimes offers free family passes ... or come up with your own creative free days out. Dinosaur-mad kids will love fossil hunting on beaches or for magical free family fun, go fairy hunting in the woods.

3. Set up a creative station

Looking for budget holiday activities? Painting, playing with putty and drawing are all great fun, no matter how old your kids are.

Keep an eye on Aldi’s Specialbuys for cheap kids’ art supplies and set up a creative ‘station’ at home. When the weather is warm, head outside to paint (keeping your house clean!).

Challenge your kids to doodle like Tom Gates or search YouTube for easy drawing tutorials (we love Rob Biddulph and Art for Kids Hub ). For younger kids, you can get creative together with our free printable colouring pages .

Or snap up a mud kitchen for messy play younger kids will love! Aldi Specialbuys are launched every Thursday and Sunday so be ready to shop for bargains!

4. Go geocaching

Do your kids love treasure hunts? Take it one step further (with none of the work of thinking of clues!) by going geocaching. It’s totally free and gets you all out exploring your local area.

Download a free geocaching app then follow the GPS towards the location of the ‘cache’ – a small waterproof box filled with ‘treasure’. These are little trinkets left by other people. If you take one then be sure to replace it with some treasure of your own.

5. Join the library

Reading is a great activity during the holidays, but buying books is expensive. Join your local library to borrow books all year round ... plus much more!

If you’ve got younger children, there are often free storytime and music sessions.

If you've got older children, look out for the activities that many libraries organise for them as well, like computer coding clubs, knitting groups, chess clubs, writing workshops and more.

6. Set up a childcare share

Kids holiday clubs are not cheap. Save yourself some money by sharing childcare with your mates. Set up a childcare share with 2 or 3 friends and then take it in turns to have all the kids for a day.

This means you can all avoid splashing out on clubs and the children are happily entertained with their friends. Win, win.

7. Start selling

Looking for a kid’s activity AND a way to make money? Then get your child to sort through all their toys and books and pick out everything they’ve grown out of. Then either sell at a car boot sale (find the nearest car boot sale to you in our Local listings ) or a tabletop sale outside your home.

Your kids can keep the proceeds for ‘treat’ money in the holidays. Not only will it save you dipping into your purse, it’ll teach your kids about the value of money.

8. Stay and play at home

Want activities the kids can do at home and got some outside space? Aldi has a huge range of garden and outdoor toys for all ages.

From paddling pools and bubble machines to trampolines and kids’ tents, the budget store is constantly updating its Specialbuys. Here’s a calendar of what is going on sale and when so you don’t miss out.

For all your holiday supplies and more, head to your nearest Aldi instore or go online.

Related stories

Kids' pocket money cut to THIS during cost of living crisis

The money-saving term time hacks every parent needs

9 ways to make your family's budget go further