Can you realy entertain children on a budget?

In fact, parents have already seen a 50 per cent increase year-on-year when it comes to school holiday bills. But does it have to cost hundreds of pounds?

1. Free Tennis

Wimbledon may well be over, but that doesn’t mean an end to tennis for the summer.

In fact, you can play tennis at no costs with Tennis for Free - which is a community sports charity that works with councils, tennis clubs and coaches to provide free tennis sessions at local parks.

It is run by volunteers and is a great way to keep your kids busy and active at no cost.

This is also a great opportunity to get your child into a sport that they may not have played before - you never know, she or he could be a future Wimbledon champion in the making.

2. Go to a Museum

There are over 180 museums and galleries in the UK – most of which are free. You may have to pay for certain exhibitions, but generally, a large part of them are free.

3. Cheap cinema

The sun doesn’t always shine, so the cinema is the perfect day out when you need to stay out of the rain.

It’s not free, but you can take your kids to watch the latest movies from as little as £1.75 during the long summer break.

4. Go to the library

We often overlook the good old-fashioned library, but they are a great place for the summer. Every year, UK libraries run the Summer Reading Challenge; to take part, register at your local library and then your child must read six books, which s/he can choose. The children collect rewards and stickers along the way.

This is a great way to make sure your children do not fall behind with their reading as well as keeping them entertained. The library is often buzzing with excited kids, so this is certainly not one place to overlook. The Summer Reading Challenge is free.

Check your library to see what other activities they are holding this summer for families. They are also a great place to see what else is on around you locally.

5. Get cooking

If you do find yourself a little bored at home – why not get cooking? Don’t worry about how it all looks and tastes, concentrate on the fun.

Children will love getting messy in the kitchen and I think you will too. The key thing is to keep the recipes.

6. 2 for 1 at major attractions

If you plan to travel by National Rail this summer, then make sure you take advantage of the 2 for 1 offers to major London and South East attractions – such as London Zoo, London Eye, London Dungeon or the Sea Life Aquarium, for example.

7. Have a picnic

If the sun is out, why not organise a picnic. Get a group of friends together and have a picnic at the local park.

Again, this will cost you nothing but the cost of the food, and it will be great fun for the children and the adults. Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that we end up enjoying the most.

8. Shopping Malls

If you think you can resist shopping, then see what’s on at major shopping centres.

Many will hold special summer events for children – summer really can be a good time to hang out at the mall, especially if you’re caught out on a rainy day. Check your local shopping centre's website for a calendar of events.

9. Swimming

Leisure centres often change their timetable to accommodate summer breaks – so you will find there are more family swim time options.

Local leisure centres are usually very cheap, but if you belong to a private club, some will allow you to take your children in for free – just ask.

Source: dailymail.co.uk