Though advertisements and the telly would have you believe otherwise, there are many ways to spend fun afternoons with your children without spending a pound. Especially when the financial climate has families struggling to make ends meet, parents should consider gifting their children experiences that will make lasting memories instead of costly gifts or expensive nights out.

Outdoor activities

On a nice day, try spending the afternoon at a park, which will give your children the chance to socialise with other kids and the chance to get a healthy dose of exercise. You can arrange to meet family friends or their school mates, or just spend a quick half hour before the sun goes down.

Country walks or hiking trails are also a good way to spend quality time while giving the whole family a workout. Pack food and some games to occupy your time during a much-needed rest, and then get back to exploring! You can take a book on the local birds, trees, or insects, or take pictures with your phone to look up when you get home. The most important thing to remember is to keep them interested and excited about your afternoon as outdoor adventurers.

If the season is right, take a basket or plastic bag for each child and take them for a berry picking mission! The fruits of your labor mean you can make pies or preserves that the whole family will love and know that they contributed to.

Flying a kite is another excellent way to get children out of the house without much cost, and they will remember the excitement flying their first kite for years to come. Pick a windy day and bring a stopwatch to celebrate how long your kids could keep the kite in the air. Don’t forget a warm treat like tea or hot chocolate as a treat after a windy workout!

Winter activities

The cold months surrounding the holidays may find you hard-pressed to take your children out on a budget, but there are still many things to do while the weather is not so nice.

A rainy or snowy day is the perfect opportunity to comb your local library for literary treasures. You can let your child pick out a book to read, and perhaps find one of your favourite childhood books to share with them.

Galleries and museums often have free days or let children under a certain age enter free. You can take this chance to expose them to art, history, and culture and cultivate their creative side.

About the Author

Andrea Vane from www.comparejuniorisa.com writes mainly about the Junior ISA

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