THIS February half-term, keep kids busy without blowing the budget.
There are deals and offers nationwide on activities, entertainment, days out and meals so you can plan an action-packed itinerary for all ages without spending a family fortune.
GettyKeep kids busy without blowing the budget this half term with our top tips[/caption]
AlamyRoald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical is showing at Cineworld[/caption]
From cut-price venues to local fun, here’s our round-up of the best school holiday savers.
Free food
ASDA CAFÉS: From February 9-22 children get a free bowl of porridge between 8am to noon every day in cafes.
Plus under-16s can eat off the £1 kids menu all day, every day until the end of March 2023. No adult purchase required.
Up to two children eat free from the kids’ menu all day at Bill’sSUPPLIED
MORRISONS CAFÉS: Under-16s can eat free from the kids menu, with each adult meal costing £4.49 purchased.
M&S CAFÉS: Kids Eat Free, from February 13-24, gives a free Munch Meal (usually £4) when an accompanying adult spends £5.
TESCO CAFÉS: Under-16s eat free on weekdays when an accompanying adult makes a purchase and scans their Clubcard. Dael available February 13-24.
DUNELM: Eat for free from the Kids Menu on Monday to Friday when an adult spends £4 or more in Dunelm’s Pausa coffee shops. Includes a drink.
PREMIER INN: Up to two under-16s can eat breakfast for free when an adult orders a full Premier Inn Breakfast (£9.99) – and you don’t need to be a guest.
BEEFEATER AND BREWERS FAYRE: Get a free breakfast for two children up to 16 years old when you order an adult cooked breakfast (£9.99). 6.30-10.30am weekdays and 7-11am at weekends.
HUNGRY HORSE: From 8am to noon, February 13-27, up to two children get a free breakfast worth up to £2.49 with every adult’s purchasing a £3.49 breakfast.
BILL’S: Up to two children eat free from the kids’ menu all day Monday to Friday alongside an adult order. From February 13-24.
YO! SUSHI: An under 10 can eat for free for every adult spending £10 on Monday to Friday between February 13-24.
Food under £1
IKEA: From 11am daily children can order pasta with a drink for just 95p.
Alternatively order breakfast roll and hot drink for just 95p between 9.30-11am.
SUPPLIEDKids can order pasta with a drink for just 95p at Ikea[/caption]
BELLA ITALIA: The pasta chain is offering three-course children’s meals suitable for two to 11-year-olds for £1 with every adult main ordered between 4pm and 6pm, Mondays to Thursdays.
CAFÉ ROUGE: Choose from the children’s menu for just £1 at French restaurant Café Rouge from midday onwards.
Applies with every adult who purchases a main course from February 13-26.
CARLUCCIO’S: Enjoy cuisine for £1 from February 10-26 for children with an adult who orders a main meal.
Use discount code provided on the chain’s website.
Cheap movie tickets
CINEWORLD: Children’s tickets are just £2.50 when accompanied by an adult in the Movies For Juniors offer.
Screenings include Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical.
AlamyFeline caper Puss In Boots is currentlly showing at Odeon Cinemas[/caption]
VUE: Half-term Mini Mornings screenings offer pre-booked tickets for both adults and children for just £2.49. From 10am daily.
ODEON: Adult and Child tickets mean grown-ups pay kids’ prices for family movies every day during half-term. Currently showing feline caper Puss In Boots.
Discount theatre seats
PANTO TIME: Panto in February? Oh yes it is! Many regional theatres now run half-term pantomimes.
Mother Goose in Sheffield stars comedian John Bishop or there’s Alice In Wonderland in Derby.
Bag bargain tickets to Frozen
DISNEY: Each Monday at noon, limited £29.50 tickets for Disney West End shows are released.
Those in the Magical Monday offer include Frozen and The Lion King.
WEST END SAVERS: Shows including School Of Rock and Matilda The Musical run cheap ticket lotteries with performances from just £10 if you can go at short notice.
See venues for details.
Free museums and exhibitions
DIPPY THE DINOSAUR: From February 20 visit Jurassic legend Dippy the dinosaur, in Coventry.
The Natural History Museum’s giant Diplodocus cast will be free to see at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum. Book in advance online.
AlamyGet into the Norse spirit at Jorvik Viking Festival[/caption]
IMAGINE FESTIVAL, LONDON: Until February 18, London’s Southbank Centre is running the Imagine Festival with lots of free activities for kids up to 11 years old, including crafting, beatboxing and hip-hop.
YO WOLVES: Free workshops and activities in Wolverhampton from February 20-24, including drama and sports for school-age kids.
SPARKS FESTIVAL: From February 13-19 this Leicester festival has free workshops and activities including poster printing and a tea party.
JORVIK VIKING FESTIVAL: Taking place in York from February 11-19, free or cut-price kids’ fun includes battle bootcamps.
NATIONAL SCIENCE AND MEDIA MUSEUM, BRADFORD: Go interstellar with free space-themed workshops at this Yorkshire attraction over half-term.
THE MANCHESTER MUSEUM: Having reopened following a £15million revamp, the museum has free exhibits including Egyptian Golden Mummies.
WE ARE WEYMOUTH DINOSAUR HALF-TERM: Weymouth in Dorset has a programme of free dino-themed activities for kids this half term.
They include Ammonite workshops, Jurassic installations and a Dino-trail across town with prizes. Costumes are encouraged.
Stay-at-home ideas
STILL stuck for ideas?
Parenting expert and childcare professional Kirsty Ketley (kirstyketley.com) gives her suggestions on how kids can enjoy some at-home entertainment on a shoestring.
GettyEnjoy some at-home entertainment on a shoestring[/caption]
Dress up and put on a show. Copy a plot from your favourite book or film or let imaginations run wild.Learn a magic trick. Try YouTube for suggestions or buy a box of tricks (from £10, amazon.co.uk)Build a fort or a den – inside or outdoors, depending on the weather.Play hopscotch. Simply chalk up a board outside and you’re away.Write a story or poem.Learn how to make the bed properly – parents will appreciate this one too.Learn how to count to ten in another language.
Discount days out
NATIONAL RAIL TWO-FOR-ONE: Get half-term two-for-one entry tickets at attractions around the UK when you book through National Rail and travel by train.
Venues include SeaLife. Madame Tussauds and Legoland Windsor.
SUPPLIEDAnt and Dec waxworks at Madame Tussauds Blackpool[/caption]
CRYSTAL MAZE EXPERIENCE: This attraction in London and Manchester is offering 40 per cent off family tickets from February 13-24. Book in advance online.
STORECARD SAVERS: Tesco Clubcard holders can convert points into vouchers for reduced family attractions including Longleat in Wiltshire, Warwick Castle and the Eden Project in Cornwall.
CEREAL CODES: Kellogg’s cereals is offering codes on selected boxes redeemable for free adult tickets for attractions including SeaLife Aquariums and Legoland. Must be pre-booked.
LONDON ZOO: This animal-packed attraction has half-term family entry for just £3 until the end of March for those receiving some benefits including Universal Credit, Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance. From 11am daily. Pay on the gate.
MEET MEERKATS: Days out with a half-term discount at website Buy A Gift include meeting meerkats, visiting alpaca farms or a tree-top adventure.
Free days out
SPRING FUN: Lambing season is coming so check out the spring frolics at your local city or rural farm, or take a countryside walk for free.
BLENHEIM PALACE: Meet farm animals, enjoy wildlife walks and a Mouse trail at this Oxfordshire attraction. Kids go free until March 31 with an adult pass.
Lambing season is coming so check out the spring frolics at your local city or rural farmAlamy
PET WORKSHOPS: Pets At Home is hosting free pet workshops in stores across the country over half-term featuring fun, interactive activities run by animal advisors. Book online.
NATIONAL TRUST: Free outdoor activities, from crafting to nature trails, across the UK this half-term. You don’t need to be a member, but you may have to pay to park.