Seven free and cheap activities for kids!

Find out how your kids can peek behind the scenes of top London shows, join a puppet workshop, learn how to juggle, check out Hogwarts, collect a model dragon, or see a film, and all for nothing (or very little).

Haven't times changed? When I was a kid the summer holidays meant simply playing in the garden or park for hours every day with my friends. Nowadays, kids have wealth of activities to choose from.

But maybe that's because businesses and companies have realised that providing facilities for children also brings their all-important, wallet-clutching parents. Plus get them in young and they'll keep coming back?

Who cares - if it means cheap entertainment for the little ones that's got to be a good thing!

So what's on?

1.     Kidsweek

If you've got a budding Daniel Radcliffe/Emma Watson in the house, Kidsweek will be right up their street. Beginning this Friday (14 - 28 August) Kidsweek gives children aged 5-16 the chance to see shows, films, plays and musicals for absolutely nothing - they just need a full-paying adult to go with them. And these include "Wicked", "Hairspray" and "Mama Mia".

And that's not all. Children will also have the unique opportunity to peek behind the scenes, take part in dance/singing/puppet workshops and pose questions to the stars of the show, and all for free. If you're interested book places as soon as possible as they fill up fast!

2.     The kids are alright

And if you're in the capital and can't until Friday, The Kids are alright kicks off this week (Monday 10 -23 August).

Organisers have pretty much taken over the world-famous Covent Garden piazza and filled it with a giant ball pit and sandpit. There are balloon modellers, jugglers, face painters and plate spinning workshops.

And if you turn up on one of the Thursdays, budding Jamie Olivers will be able to decorate cupcakes and try their hand at making chocolate. And of course, it's all for free.

Many of the local shops and restaurants will be offering deals and discounts in a bid to part you from your cash, including "kids eat free offers" from "Sophie's Steakhouse", "Porter's Restaurant" and "Maxwell's Bar & Grill".

But if you don't want to spend a fortune you could always pack your own drinks and snacks, and simply enjoy the free fun.

3.     Family Friendly Film Festival

Moving out of London, Manchester is currently hosting its fourth, popular Family friendly film festival (7-16 August).

Packed full of films to enjoy, many of which are free (if there is a charge it will be no more than £5), dance workshops and themed days, there is bound to be something that appeals.

You could also get the opportunity to see inside a famous film location, such as John Ryland's library, aka Hogwarts.

Again, a number of local restaurants and attractions are offering discounts, but as always if you want to keep things cheap, bring your own packed lunch.

4.     Library

If you're nowhere near a big city that's not a problem - there are free activities on your doorstep at your local library.

If you haven't stepped inside for years you're really missing out as they lay on lots of activities for the kids - and they can start young. Pre-schoolers can start off by joining Bookcrawl - every time they visit the library they'll collect points/stickers which lead to certificates.

Little ones can partake in "Baby Bounce and Rhyme", where you all get to sing nursery rhymes - and many libraries hold Dads-only sessions at the weekends, too.

Story time is usually held once a week, where children can listen to a few popular tales.

And older kids can sign up for Quest Seekers - this summer's reading challenge. The more you read, the more prizes you collect, from stickers to bookmarks, pens and a dragon model.

And of course, it's all free.

If all else fails they can always use the free computers, or hire a DVD for the week.

5.     Cinema

Another stalwart is the good old cinema. With most showing cheap kids films every weekend (and many having extended this to daily during the summer holidays) this can be a peaceful activity for them to enjoy and kids love going to the cinema.

Tickets tend to start at around £1.50 with an accompanying adult getting in free. But remember, this is for the special Kids Club screenings only - to see the latest blockbuster (such as Ice Age 3) you'll have to pay standard ticket prices.

Check out your local cinema's website, or the Odeon, Vue and Showcase to get an idea of what's on for kids.

6.     Free days out

If you fancy a fun day out but want to keep things cheap there are some great places you can visit for free. The National Trust, for example lists the activities and events it offers with no charge on its Fun for free page.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is offering free entry to under-16s during the whole of August.

If you can wait until 10-13 September, English Heritage will be opening up some of its properties to the public for free.

7.     Council website

Finally, for details of what's on locally for the whole family, my top tip is to regularly check your council's website. Not only will it be updated with details of festivals and other events, it will have those all-important links to the organiser websites.

And it can be a mine of other information too. I recently checked mine and not only did I discover a free local festival, I also found out that the council was offering free parking in the city centre that day, to boot.

So there you have it - seven free or cheap ways to have fun with the kids this summer. Happy holidays!

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