As anyone who has just spent half term entertaining their children can vouch, the cost of taking kids out and about every day quickly adds up - even if it's just for a movie and ice cream. While we love a daily dose of fresh sea air, but it’s still FREEZING(!) and whilst the cost of moving house continues to affect cashflow, Valentina and I have come up with five ideas for free family fun that kids of all ages will enjoy, even the adult variety!
Whether you're a parent or have younger siblings, gather the gang together and try out one of these fun activities. They also provide a great opportunity for quality time together - and looking back on my own life, I know that this is the stuff my favourite childhood memories are made of.
GAMES DAY
Forever a family favourite with good reason, dig out those board games you got at Christmas - or even better, get active and play charades, karaoke or Twister! Invite extended family, friends or neighbours along... not only is this great fun, it's also a lovely bonding experience and one that you and your kids will look back on fondly.
DIY PIZZA
OK so this isn’t entirely free as you have to buy the ingredients, but it’s free in that we assume you are going to eat anyway, no?
Lay out a rainbow of pizza toppings in bowls or on a board and let everyone DIY their own. Older kids can help with prepping veg and grating cheese for this while younger ones can sort veg by colours or counting them out. Offer a prize for the best pizza design or make your own funny faces... it's surprising how much more food little ones are inclined to eat when they've prepped their own!
MOVIE NIGHT
The easiest and often most popular family entertainment to keep all ages happy. Choose a long standing family favourite, cosy up with blankets, teddies and pets - and pass the popcorn! PJs obligatory, obvs!
BAKING SESH
Always a winner in our house, this can be as simple or fancy as you wish, age and skill level dependant. For younger kids, decorating good old Rich Tea biscuits with funny faces made from icing, sweets and sprinkles or ready cupcake mix in a box both work well for impromptu drizzly afternoon fun. Older ones love to bake cookies or muffins - and decorate them of course!
TALENT NIGHT
The perfect opportunity to give everyone their moment in the spotlight, allow a little prep time for this one and encourage kids to work together and put on a joint performance with a friend or sibling as well as doing their own thing. You could even create a judging panel with grandparents, uncles and aunts!