Cost-of-Living Half Term Ideas
Posted 14 May 2024
Hands up if you’ve been enjoying the warmer days we finally seem to be getting? Don’t look now, but we might even have a sunny half term down here in Dorset. Maybe. Either way, half term is approaching and fabulous foster parents up and down the land are trying to figure out how to entertain the family for a week. But how to do this without breaking the bank in a cost-of-living crisis?
We’ve sat down over a mug of tea and found some free and cheap ways to help you have a half term to remember, not a credit card bill to forget.
Doing fun activities as a family can help foster children learn new skills and feel welcome and valued, but lots of new things can be daunting. Why not try making a chart of the things you hope to do each day? Knowing what’s going to happen well in advance can help everyone to prepare and ask questions about anything they are unsure of. Remember to include some downtime to recharge physical and mental batteries too.
So here’s our Half Term Top 15, in no particular order. Whatever you end up doing, we hope you have a great time!
- Pack a picnic and take off to Hengistbury Head. Try cliff top walks, beach games and kite flying. Plus, if anyone is into Pokemon Go, it’s a packed location. Some free parking is available, but otherwise that might cost you a little.
- See what’s on at your local cinema. Odeon offer special Kids' Screenings where children and adults can pay as little as £2.75 a ticket. Take your own cheap snacks for a double win.
- Start saving those Amazon boxes now, grab some paints and make your very own Minecraft characters.
- Create some Bake Off masterpieces. Use up open packets in the cupboard to save money or make a list and take a special trip to the supermarket. There are loads of easy, child-friendly recipes online, so ready, steady, bake…
- Go crabbing at Mudeford.
- Burn off energy at Upton Country Park. It’s perfect for bikes, scooters and walking, there’s free entry and they’ve even got two free trails to follow this half term.
- Learn origami. Find some scrap paper and try making a fish, a jumping snake or a Creeper. The possibilities are endless!
- Have a family meal out. There are lots of restaurants offering special deals for kids’ meals including Toby Carvery and TGI Fridays.
- Camp out in the garden and count the stars.
- Unleash your imagination and make amazing sock puppets with household items.
- Try the Museum of East Dorset’s Secrets and Scrolls event on Wednesday 29 May. It’s free with museum admission, which is a bargain at just £18 for a large family ticket.
- Enjoy a round of Mini Golf at Sandbanks. They offer a family ticket for £23 so it’s not free, but a cost-effective way to spend an hour or so.
- Download some free colouring sheets from Hobbycraft or get outside with their equally free Spring Scavenger Hunt.
- Show your feathered neighbours some love and make an RSPB cardboard roll bird feeder.
- Splash out and take your tribe to Marwell Zoo, they’re celebrating Love Yor Zoo Week with lots of extra activities.
Have you got any top tips of your own? We’d love to hear about them on our Facebook page.
Have you got any other questions about fostering? We’d love you to contact us. Happy Half Term everyone!