18 Free Things to Do With Kids
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Quick answer: 18 Free Things to Do With Kids. This guide gives 18 ideas in 4 sections: Free outdoors; Free at home; Free with your community; Free challenges. Budget: Free, with optional extras under 拢10. Best for: Ages 2 to 12.
- Time: 20 minutes to a full day
- Budget: Free, with optional extras under 拢10
- Best for: Ages 2 to 12
The best afternoon of the holidays often involves a cardboard box, a muddy path and a very loud game of tag. None of it needs a ticket.
These eighteen ideas cost nothing at all. Where we suggest a product, it is purely optional, a small extra if you feel like making the day a bit more special.
Top tip: Check your local council and library websites for free holiday sessions. Many run craft mornings, story time and sports taster days, and places are often first come first served, so book early.
Free outdoors
Fresh air is the cheapest tonic going, and the scenery changes with every season.
- Woodland walk: Pick a local wood and set a target of finding three different kinds of leaf. A free nature guide on your phone can help.
- Playground tour: Visit three different parks in one week and rate each one. Children enjoy being the critics, and it helps you find new favourites.
- Beach or riverside stones: Collect smooth stones, then wash and paint them at home. Only take a few, and leave shells and wildlife where you found them.
- Hill roll: On a safe grassy slope with no rocks, roll down and see who gets dizziest. Check for glass and dog mess first.
- Family bike ride: Choose a flat cycle path and set a picnic target. Helmets for everyone and a puncture repair kit in your bag.
Free at home
Your house is full of free entertainment if you look at it differently.
- Cardboard box spaceship: Cut a door and windows with adult help, then draw dials and buttons with felt tips. A torch becomes the control panel.
- Home spa day: Warm water foot soak, soft towels and a cucumber slice on the eyes. Children adore being pampered and parents enjoy it more.
- Indoor picnic: Spread a blanket, bring out snacks and teddies, and play music. Rain does not cancel this one.
- Dance party: Make a playlist of their favourites and have a disco with the lights low. Add torches as spotlights.
- Washing up bubble play: Warm water, a bowl and a few plastic cups. Plenty of toddlers will play for twenty minutes. Stay close and mop up afterwards.
Free with your community
Local services and spaces often have more to offer than we realise.
- Library visit: Choose books, join a reading challenge and ask about free holiday events. Many libraries lend board games and craft kits too.
- Free museum trip: Many UK museums and galleries have no admission charge. Check opening times and ask about family trails at the front desk.
- Community garden session: Some local gardens welcome visitors for free and let children plant seeds or feed chickens. Check for sessions online first.
- Charity shop treasure hunt: Give each child a small budget, or just a challenge, such as finding something blue. It teaches saving and recycling.
- Wave at the neighbours: Make cards and post them through the doors of older neighbours. A small kindness that children remember.
Free challenges
A good challenge turns a boring afternoon into a mission.
- Photo scavenger hunt: Make a list, such as something round, something red, something tiny, and snap pictures on your phone. Share the best with relatives.
- Balloon challenge: Keep a balloon in the air for a full minute, without hands. Increase the time as they improve. Balloons are not for under-3s.
- Silent game: See who can stay quiet for sixty seconds, then try five minutes. A rare moment of calm and a fun competition.
Helpful links and further reading
A few trusted places to find out more.
- National Trust: Find gardens, parks and historic places for a day out.
- English Heritage: places to visit: Castles, abbeys and gardens with family events through the year.
- Forestry England: Forest walks, trails and family activities across England.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best free things to do with kids?
Local parks, library visits, nature walks and homemade games are consistent favourites. Choose something that fits your children’s interests and energy levels.
Are free days out really worth it?
Yes. Children generally care more about time with you than what it costs, and simple outings often become their fondest memories.
How can I find free events nearby?
Check your library, council and community centre pages, local Facebook groups, and ask at school.
More ideas you might like
- Holiday Activities for Kids on a Budget
- Outdoor Activities for Kids
- Nature Scavenger Hunt Ideas
- 50 Ways to Keep Kids Busy in the School Holidays
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