Most kids need constant entertainment, especially over the school holidays! But this doesn’t mean you need to spend loads of money on keeping them happy – there are lots of free things you can do with your children this spring half term! We’ve outlined ten activities below, to get you started:

1. Have a Craft Day

There are tons of free resources online if you’re planning on having a craft day during the spring half term! Sites like Pinterest will have all sorts of ideas, many of which will involve recycled materials, or things you already have around the house.

A craft day is a particularly good option when it’s raining, and you don’t want to leave the house. Crafts will keep the kids entertained, and you may end up with a few masterpieces to display around the house!

2. Visit the Library

Did you know that most libraries put on activities during the school holidays, including half term? These will normally include workshops and other special events, like reading challenges or book readings. 

Even if there isn’t an activity taking place at your local library, it can be a great place to visit over half term anyway. Encouraging your kids to read from an early age can only be beneficial as they get older, particularly in terms of their education.

3. Get Baking

Another creative way to spend a few hours is baking! Just like crafty activities, there are plenty of online resources you can find for free, providing recipes for sweet and savoury goodies. And the best part is you get to eat the results! If your kids are creative, they may also want to decorate their creations – cakes and biscuits in particular are fun to decorate. 

Of course, you may not have all the necessary items and ingredients for baking. If this is the case, rather than spending money on cake tins and mixers, you could alternatively cook with your kids, teaching them how to make the food they’re often served for dinner.

4. Challenges and Treasure Hunts

Why not set challenges for your children, with small things offered as prizes for the winner? For example, you could set a photography challenge. Make a list of five to ten things everyone has to take a photo of, and then rank the results for each category. The overall winner can then be presented with a prize.

In terms of a treasure hunt, you can either come up with your own clues and riddles, or find inspiration online! Scavenger hunts are always popular too – simply make a list of items for your kids to find, such as particular types of leaves, clothes pegs, or colouring pencils. Then, see who can bring back all the objects first!

5. Camp in the Garden

Lots of people own a tent, or can at least borrow one from a friend or family member. So why not go camping in your garden? When you’re a kid, camping often sounds like fun, though adults don’t always share this opinion! Just bring along some books and games, and spend the night amongst nature.

And if you live in or near Scotland or Wales, you may consider staying in a nearby bothy. A bothy is essentially a stone tent – they are free to use, and there’s no need to book. Not to mention the fact that you’re saved the hassle of pitching up a tent! You can find out more about bothies and locate your nearest one, on the Mountain Bothies Association website.

6. Have a Movie Night

Going to the cinema these days can be expensive. And if you already pay for platforms like Netflix and Disney+, why pay more? You can easily have a movie night at home, where you can pick the movie yourself, and get guaranteed comfortable seats! Pausing for a toilet break isn’t an issue either!

If you really want to make an evening of it, why not build a blanket fort from which you can watch the film, then snuggle up under a load of blankets. Gather plenty of snacks and popcorn, then press play!

7. Get Gardening

There are all sorts of flowers you can plant in spring, which will make your garden look bright and colourful. You can teach your children about the life cycle of plants, and show them how to take care of the flowers. Even if you don’t have a garden, you can help your kids plant something in a pot, and watch it grow.

You could also start growing some veg in your garden. Not only will this give the kids something to focus on every day, tending to their own patch of garden, you’ll also get free food at the end, which is never a bad thing.

8. Do Science Experiments

Who didn’t love doing science experiments as a kid? From making a vinegar and baking powder volcano to creating slime, science experiments can be a great way to learn more about how the world works, all while having fun.

You can find plenty of safe experiments online, which are both educational and entertaining. For instance, Good Housekeeping has created a list of science experiments for kids, which can all be done at home. 

9. Have a Picnic

One of the traditional things to do in spring is have a picnic! This could be in your own back garden, or at a local park, meeting up with friends and family. As long as the sun is shining, and you pack some delicious treats, it won’t really matter where you go! You could even take a portable BBQ, and have hot food as well as cold.

Really make a day of it, and bring along some activities to do before or after the picnic. From outdoor games like football or frisbee to a scavenger hunt, these sorts of activities are bound to keep the kids (and adults) entertained for a few hours!

10. Visit Local Parks or Properties

If you’re already a member of the National Trust or English Heritage, why not visit a local property? The membership has already been paid for, so it will be free to enter, and if you bring along your own food and drink, you won’t need to pay for lunch either! And if you’re not a member, visiting a nearby park, woodland or beach can be a great way to spend the day.

Alongside this, if your kids are interested in science or history, perhaps a local museum would be a good option! Although there are fewer free museums outside of London, there’s probably at least one or two nearby museums that have free entry for children, and hopefully adults too!

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