Best cheap and free things to do with the kids over the 2024 Summer holidays around the UK

Finding cheap and free things to do with the family over the Summer holidays needn't be difficult. Here are our top suggestions for having fun on a budget.

Even if you don’t go on holiday, keeping your kids entertained over the Summer is likely to cost you a small fortune. 

One survey carried out last Summer found that parents expected to spend an average of £625 entertaining their little ones over the school holidays. 

To help you keep costs under control, we've put together a list of cheap and free days out to make this Summer holiday loads of fun for the whole family.

UK-wide

Get the kids away from their screens and outdoors by taking them to watch horse racing.

Under-18s can get in free with a paying adult to the majority of The Jockey Club’s race days. There’s also a range of free activities to keep the kids occupied.

If you would prefer to take your clan somewhere more educational, members of Heritage England and Historic Scotland can visit hundreds of remarkable sites free of charge.

If you have the right membership for Heritage England or Historic Scotland, kids can get admission free of charge.

Are you a family of music fans? Have a look around for some free music festivals, take a picnic and chill out in the sunshine.

Or go fishing, with a free fishing taster session, courtesy of The Canal and River Trust. Pick the brains of professional angling coaches or just partake in a spot of fishing.

Rainy day activities

You can usually guarantee the rain will fall on at least some days during the summer, but the good news is there are plenty of indoor activities to keep everyone occupied.

For example, you can head over to your nearest free museum. You'll find loads of exhibitions covering local history, natural history, science and famous figures.

Are you more interested in your own history? You can trace your family tree with the kids using library resources and online research at home.

Odeon Cinema is running Odeon Kids screenings, with tickets priced from £2.75. Check the website for showings at your local cinema.

Alternatively, you could try Mighty Mornings as you can get tickets priced from £2.49 per person at your local Vue Cinema.

Cineworld has its own programme called Movies for Juniors, with ticket prices starting at £2.50.

It’s also worth checking out your local arts theatre, as many show films at a cut price during the school holidays.

Sports and activities

And for brighter days, how about something a little more athletic? There are free tennis sessions on offer throughout the UK.

If you've got bikes at home, check out some kid-friendly cycle routes that won't tire their legs out, courtesy of the National Trust.

What's more, some local councils offer certain residents free swimming at their nearest pool. Check your local council website to see if you are eligible.

For something outdoors that's less physically challenging, why not try geocaching? Basically, you go out with your GPS and find a ‘cache’ which has been left by another user. 

It’ll usually contain little trinkets you can exchange, so if you have any miscellaneous bits and bobs like badges, Christmas cracker gifts or Kinder egg toys, now’s the time to dig them out.

They’ll often contain a pen and paper for you to leave a message as well.

The National Trust has a rundown of 10 places to go geocaching with a list of events, which you may have to pay for. Have fun!

England

Riverside Festival ‒ 20-21 July

Get yourself down to Charlbury in Oxfordshire for a free music festival at the Riverside Festival.

It’s a family-friendly event, with plenty for the kids to do.

South Tyneside Festival ‒ Throughout July and August

There’s free live music ‒ including Jason Holland and Haircut 100‒ as well as a dedicated ‘fun fest’ for the kids during August at the South Tyneside Festival.

Brighton Pride ‒ 2-5 August

The festival kicks off with the annual community parade, followed by Fabuloso in the Park. Top artists such as Britney Spears and Kylie Minogue have appeared previously.

The British Firework Championships, Plymouth – 14-15 August

Be dazzled by one of the biggest fireworks displays of the year at the British Firework Championships.

Each night will feature three x 10-minute displays. It’s free to attend but the advice is to get there early to bag the best seating areas.

Notting Hill Carnival ‒ 25-26 August

The famous Notting Hill Carnival is taking place over the August bank holiday.

Sunday 25 July is Family and Children’s Day which is free to everyone. It includes a special children’s parade.

Scotland

Scottish Highland Games – various dates and locations until 9 September

Scotland’s Highland Games are usually one-day events that take place in various places across the country.

You can expect traditional Highland sports, including tug of war and the caber toss, as well as dancing, music and food stalls.

It’s worth checking individual Highland events as you may have to pay for entry.

Edinburgh Summer festivals – throughout July and August

This wouldn’t be a decent guide if we didn’t mention the Summer festivals Edinburgh has to offer:

• Jazz and Blues Festival (12-21 July);

• Art Festival (9-25 August);

• Fringe Festival (2-26 August);

• International Festival (2-25 August);

• International Book Festival (10-25 August).

What’s wonderful about these festivals is you don’t necessarily have to pay anything to enjoy your day.

Just wander down the Royal Mile to find free shows, readings, music and street theatre.

Tour the backdrops behind your favourite films and TV shows – all year round

Explore castles, beaches, mountains and towns from the likes of Outlander, Macbeth, Skyfall and Brave.

Read more at the Visit Scotland website.

Doune Castle, near Stirling. One of the key locations in Outlander.

Wales

Knight School, Harlech Castle, Harlech – every Tuesday from 23 July to 20 August

No more toys – now your child can learn the skills of a knight at the medieval Harlech Castle.

Admission to the castle costs £10 for adults and £7 for children between the ages of five and 17.

Bog Snorkelling Championship – 27 August

The World Bog Snorkelling Championships is held in Llanwrtyd Wells.

It was described by Lonely Planet as one of the 50 “must do” things around the world back in 2014. More than 150 people took part in 2023.

Competitors will don their snorkels and flippers, making their way through two lengths of peat bog without using any conventional swimming strokes.

It starts at around 10 am and there’ll be food and drink stalls, crafts, a bouncy castle, live music and a real ale and cider bar.

Entry is £20 for adults and £12 for 14-15-year-olds, while under-14s go free.

For something a bit more adventurous, make the descent down St Govan’s Head to find the chapel, which is built into the side of the limestone cliff, measuring 20ft by 12ft.

It’s a hermit’s paradise.

There are 52 steps to get to the chapel, but legend says it’s a different number coming back...

However, the road to St Govans does pass through an MOD army tank range, which means it’s sometimes closed at certain times.

Give Pembroke Visitor Centre (01437 776499) or Castlemartin Range (01646 662367) a ring before you go.

Northern Ireland

EastSide Arts Festival, Belfast – 25 July - 4 August

Enjoy some music, movies, theatre, talks, workshops and exhibitions from East Belfast’s hottest talent at the EastSide Arts Festival.

There are various community events and heritage tours to get stuck into as well.