Half-term arrives with muddy boots, big appetites and shrinking wallets. You want smiles, not spending sprees. Here’s where savings hide.
This October, families across Britain are juggling rising costs with restless kids. The trick is mixing free outdoor moments, low-cost treats and a plan that keeps everyone moving without rinsing the budget.
Why low-cost half-term plans matter now
Prices have crept up across travel, food and tickets. Small choices add up fast over five to seven days. Free venues, capped fares and a few coin-friendly add-ons can shave tens of pounds off each outing. That protects your week and keeps expectations clear for children.
Build each day around one free anchor activity and a small paid treat under £5. It feels special without bill shock.
Ten wallet-friendly ideas that actually work
Trick-or-treat the smart way
Costumes do not need a checkout. Turn an old shirt into a skeleton with masking tape and white chalk. A cardboard crown and a tea towel become instant royalty. Reflective tape on sleeves improves visibility at dusk. Walk a tight loop of friendly streets and take a torch; no need to buy glow gadgets on the go.
Pumpkin patch and carve-on-a-budget
Patches deliver fresh air, photos and a proper autumn vibe. Many let you wander for free or a small entry fee if you don’t pick. Snap pictures among the gourds, then buy your pumpkin at the supermarket if price beats sentiment. Expect starting prices around £1.59 at Aldi or Lidl, and about £2 at Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s. White “ghost” pumpkins sit near £3.20 at Waitrose or M&S.
Carving creates mess and memories. Pop a bin bag under the table, keep seeds for roasting and stencil faces with a felt-tip before cutting. Not into knives? Try paint pens, sticking plaster “bandages”, or push-in twigs for quirky noses. Compost leftovers on 1 November so nothing goes to waste.
Kids eat for £1 deals in half-term week
Between Monday 27 and Friday 31 October 2025, many chains run “kids eat free or £1” offers when an adult buys a meal. Breakfast buffets, pub grills and pizza menus often count. Bring water bottles, share sides and ask about set menus before ordering. Check the day, time and age limit at the door to avoid surprises.
One paying adult can unlock up to two children’s meals in some venues. Ask politely; it pays on the spot.
Nature walks and hot chocolate dates
Local parks turn gold this month. Bag a scavenger hunt: five leaf colours, three bark textures, one feather, one spider web seen from a safe distance. Feed ducks with peas or sweetcorn, not bread. Finish with a flask of hot chocolate on a bench and a shared biscuit. Memory made, money spared.
Rainy-day plan you can set up in five minutes
- Living-room den with sheets, pegs and fairy lights.
- Cardboard city from delivery boxes, felt tips and tape.
- Kitchen disco after tea; playlist on a phone, glow sticks in yoghurt pots.
- Indoor scavenger list: something round, something loud, something soft.
- DIY cinema: curtains closed, popcorn, tickets drawn by the kids.
- Board-game hour or a deck of cards with simple rules.
Garden centre equals the ‘free zoo’
Most garden centres welcome browsers without charge. Many have fish tanks, small animals and seasonal displays. Set a £2 treat limit for a packet of seeds or a tiny cactus. Chat about plant names and colours to turn it into a mini science lesson. Wash hands after any animal area.
Free farms that punch above their weight
City or community farms often cost nothing to enter, though a donation helps. Stonebridge City Farm in Nottingham, Bath City Farm near Bath, and Hackney City Farm in east London offer animals, play corners and café stops. Some ask you to book a slot in busy weeks. Wellies, wipes and a tote bag for muddy kit keep the day tidy.
Free museums and galleries without the faff
Many UK museums and galleries offer free entry. Family trails, activity backpacks and drop-in craft tables turn culture into play. Look for quiet hours if your child prefers calmer spaces. Travel off-peak, pack snacks and refill bottles at water stations. Railway promotions and family railcards can trim fares; bus fare caps also help within cities.
Light-up nights at home
As dusk arrives earlier, a 100-pack of glow sticks from roughly £1 can power bath-time play and kitchen dance parties all week. Freeze a few in the freezer for a longer glow. Tuck a couple into jars to make safe “lanterns” for a bedtime story.
Check your council’s listings
Libraries host story times, Lego clubs and seasonal craft hours. Leisure centres run low-cost stay-and-play sessions. Parks teams sometimes mark out free Halloween trails. Look for posters on noticeboards, in libraries and at community hubs. Bring your library card; borrowing a stack of picture books can save more than the bus fare.
Your quick-glance planner
| Activity | Typical cost | Time needed | What to take | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin patch visit | Free to browse; pumpkins from £1.59 | 1–2 hours | Wellies, wipes, carrier bag | Parking fees, upsells at cafés |
| Kids eat £1 deal | £1 per child with adult meal | 45–60 minutes | Water bottle, voucher if needed | Time restrictions, drink refills |
| Free museum | £0 entry | 2–3 hours | Snacks, sketch pad, railcard | Bag checks, cloakroom fees |
| Garden centre wander | £0 entry; treat under £2 | 60–90 minutes | Hand gel, small coin purse | Impulse toys, café bakes |
| Glow-stick night | ~£1 per 100-pack | 30–60 minutes | Glow sticks, jars, music | Pet safety, small parts |
Target £5 or less per child per day. Free anchor + tiny treat beats one pricey attraction by a mile.
Money moves that stretch the week
- Set a daily pot in coins; when the purse is empty, the spend stops without arguments.
- Carry a flask and a packet of biccies to swerve café queues and “I’m hungry” traps.
- Use bus fare caps or off-peak rail; walk the last stop to save and add steps.
- Check opening times early in the day; booked slots fill fast in wet weather.
- Bring layers, spare socks and a small towel; comfort prevents early exits.
A five-day plan under £20 for a family of four
Day 1: Free museum with picnic (£0). Treat: postcard for each child (£2 total). Travel off-peak on capped bus fares if needed.
Day 2: Park scavenger hunt and hot chocolate on a bench (£2 for home-made flask). Treat: share a doughnut box (£3).
Day 3: Pumpkin patch photos (£0) and supermarket pumpkin (£2). Evening carve-along with roasted seeds (ingredients already in cupboard).
Day 4: Garden centre “free zoo” (£0). Treat: £1 plant and a 50p seed packet (£1.50 total). Kitchen disco after tea (glow sticks 50p).
Day 5: Library story time (£0) and board-game afternoon at home. Treat: kids eat £1 tea with one adult main (£7–£9 depending on venue).
Extra pointers before you head out
Accessibility: many museums and farms publish sensory maps and queue-free entry guidance. Bring ear defenders if your child is sensitive to noise. Ask staff for quiet rooms; most have them.
Safety: add your mobile number on a wristband or a paper slip in a pocket for busy places. Agree a meeting point at the start. Carry plasters and a spare phone charger.
Waste less: save pumpkin flesh for soup, feed leftover gourds to a community compost bin and refill water bottles at public fountains. Small habits slice costs and keep bags lighter.
Upsell traps: seasonal light trails, photo booths and gift corners tempt at the exit. Set a “one pick only” rule before you go in. Photograph items the kids like and suggest writing a wish list for birthdays.
Kitchen disco + glow-stick lanterns? Thanks for the rainy-day rescue — my two were giggling for an hour! 😄
Where on earth do you get 100 glowsticks for about £1? I only see £5–£7 packs locally. Link or store tip, pls?