Halfway Easter tips for families to get the most – where kids eat free and more UK News

The Easter holiday has arrived when families will want to spend some quality time together before heading back to work and school.

However, with some attractions having a high cost, coinciding with a sharp rise in inflation and household spending, some people are undoubtedly looking for fun on a budget so that their finances can stretch further.

And it is possible to have fun for cheap or even for free since restaurants offer “kids eat free” offers and museums allow access without payment.

Read more: When Easter is in 2023 and why the date of Easter Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Monday changes

With the cost of living ever rising and the midterm break fast approaching, the personal finance experts at Ocean Finance have shared seven activities that won’t break the bank this holiday.

Seven mid-term Easter hacks for family fun:

Give your child a free meal at these six restaurant chains

During the Easter holidays, many restaurants offer deals where a child can eat free with a full-paying adult. This includes:

• ASDA – A child can eat free if an adult spends an extra £4. Available after 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.
• Hungry Horse – A child can eat free if an adult buys a breakfast that costs at least £2.99. Available 8 a.m. to noon daily.
• M&S Café – A child can eat free if you spend £5 or more. Available all day.
• Morrisons – A child can eat free if an adult spends £4.50 or more. Available after 3:00 p.m.
• The Real Greek – A child can eat free for every £10 spent on an adult meal. Available on Sunday only.
• YO! Sushi – Children can receive a free meal for every £10 spent on an adult meal. Available from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Thursday.

Yourtake your child to the cinema for as little as £2.49

Weatherproof options that pay off at this time of year are rare. You can, however, enjoy cheaper screenings at your local cinema. That usually means going fairly early in the day, but many cinemas run cheaper screenings with programs such as:

• Cineworld’s ‘Movies for Juniors’ screenings cost £2.50 for a child.
• ‘Odeon Kids’ offers an offer where adults pay the same price as a child, the offer being valid every day during school holidays as well as every Saturday and Sunday.
• Vue offers “Mini Mornings” screenings from 10 a.m. during school holidays. Adult and child tickets cost just £2.49 each.

Benefit from 2-for-1 entry to top UK attractions

Did you know that National Rail offers a 2 for 1 promotion all year round? If you buy a train ticket you will get two tickets for the price of one to many attractions across the UK such as Thorpe Park Resort, Cadbury World, LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, SEA LIFE and Chessington World of Adventure Resort.

Ocean Finance also has a helpful guide on buying cheap train tickets.

Find out about family events at your local library

Books are the versatile activity par excellence. They’re entertaining, help your kids learn, and are completely weatherproof (the art of reading anyway, don’t leave your books out in the rain).

Libraries also mean you can borrow for free or read in a quiet, free environment, further reducing costs. In addition, many family events are organized free of charge during school holidays.

Check their website or social media pages for more information.

Pack a budget picnic and explore a new area

Weather permitting, few activities are as rewarding as walking (or even cycling) up one of the UK’s many hills and mountains. Depending on your family’s fitness and adventurous spirit, there are short ascents or challenging treks to the country’s greatest peaks.

You can always take a coastal walk or an adventure in the woods if you’re not inclined for an incline. Packing a picnic will also help cut costs, and snacks and drinks are essential for any long getaway.

Don’t forget to check the weather beforehand and make sure you have the right level of equipment for your activity.

Explore your local museum for free

Many museums hold free mid-term events, which is great for those extra rainy days. Here are some examples across the Northeast:

• Newcastle – Discovery Museum or the Great North Hancock Museum
• Sunderland – Winter Gardens and Museum

Join the National Trust from £6.95 per month

Did you know National Trust attractions span over 500 days across the UK – with many family events organised? These provide you and your children with experiences to learn about all sorts of things, as well as to absorb nature and the UK’s rich history.

Family Membership costs £133.80 per year, which can be paid for in one annual payment or £11.15 per month. This gives two adults at the same address free entry to any venue, plus a maximum of 10 of their children or grandchildren.

It’s £83.40 per year or £6.95 per month for a family subscription with one adult. You can…