Keep the kids entertained during February half-term for less

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, many families are looking for ways to keep the kids entertained this February half-term without breaking the bank.

So, we’ve put together a list of money-saving ideas for when the kids are off school.

Kids eat free offers 

Feeding the kids over half-term quickly adds up. There are a number of national restaurants, cafes and food venues that offer ‘kids eat free’ schemes during the holidays, such as: 

• ASDA cafe – Kids eat for £1. Each child is entitled to a meal when they spend £1. Maximum of one meal from the kids’ menu per child, per day.
• Morrisons – Kids eat free at Morrisons café when an adult spends £4.50 or more on a meal.
• Purezza – Children under 10 get free pizza at Purezza.
• The Real Greek – Kids eat free every Sunday for every £10 spent by an adult.
• Byron – Kids eat free with every adult meal purchased.
• Dobbies – Purchase an adult meal and kids eat for free.
• Bella Italia – Kids eat for £1 with the purchase of every adult main course. Available between 4-6pm, Monday-Thursday.
• Angus Steakhouse – Kids under 10 eat free from the children’s menu when an adult orders a meal. The deal is available every day between 12-5pm.
• IKEA – Kids eat from 95p. Your little ones can enjoy kids’ pasta with tomato sauce and a soft drink for 95p or any other kids’ meal for £1.50. Available every day from 11am for IKEA Family members in participating stores while stock lasts.
• Gordon Ramsay Restaurants – Kids under the age of 8 eat free when ordering a main from the Ramsay kids’ menu.
• Premier Inn – You don’t need to be a guest in order to enjoy breakfast. Enjoy their all-you-can-eat Premier Inn breakfast from just £9.99 and kids eat for free.
• Tesco – Free kids’ meal when an adult makes any purchase while dining in the cafe at Tesco between 13-24 February.
• M&S – Kids eat for free between 13-24 February when you spend £5 in the cafe.
• Cafe Rouge – Kids can have a free two- or three-course set menu with the purchase of every adult main course from the a la carte menu.
• Beefeater – Two kids under 16 eat for free with every adult breakfast purchased.
• Giraffe – Kids eat for £1 until 26 February. Offer includes one kids’ main, dessert and drink with the purchase of an adult meal.
• Toby Carvery – Kids eat for £1 from 13-17 February and 20-24 February when you order an adult meal. All you need to do is download the Toby app, save your voucher and show it to the team on your next visit.
• Frankie and Benny’s – Get a free kids’ meal with every adult meal purchased between 13-23 February.

Learn something new at a museum or gallery

Many national galleries and museums are free to enter and are an easy way to entertain the family for a day out.

You’re best to check directly with your local museum or gallery, but some of the most popular offering free entry include the Royal Armouries in Leeds, the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, the British Museum in London, the Big Pit National Coal Museum in South Wales, the Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum in Suffolk, the V&A in London, the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, the Blaise Museum in Bristol and Falmouth Art Gallery in Cornwall.

Just remember, you may need to book a free ticket before arrival. 

Go to the movies for less 

Some cinema chains offer discounts for family films at certain times in the morning. Odeon’s Odeon Kids, Vue’s Mini Mornings and Cineworld’s Movies for Juniors all offer discounts for both adults and children.

Take advantage of local libraries 

As well as lending out traditional books to keep the kids’ imaginations flowing, most libraries allow you to borrow ebooks and audiobooks. Some also grant access to digital magazines and newspapers. You can check out library offers on your local council website and sign up for free. 

Explore the outdoors 

Get some fresh air and explore the free parks we have up and down the country. Those in search of adventure could try geocaching, which involves tracking co-ordinates on an app to find hidden boxes known as ‘caches’. The National Trust has ten places to try this activity.

The National Trust are also holding events at many of their sites for free or a small charge, such as bird box workshops, learning how to grow trees, bug hotel naming, and several different themed nature trails. You’re best to check out their website to see what’s happening locally to you.

English Heritage is inviting children to join characters from history this half-term for hands-on activities at some of the country's favourites castles, abbeys and historic houses. Kids can take part in sword school and learn how to be a medieval knight, as well as listen to storytelling and enjoy other historical activities.

These events are taking place at Audley End House and Gardens, 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefields, Bolsover Castle, Brodsworth Hall and Gardens, Dover Castle, Eltham Palace and Gardens, Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden, Stonehenge, Warkworth Castle, Whitby Abbey and Wrest Park. Members can usually access these events for free, but non-members typically have to pay an entry free.

Deals and discounts

You can also get discounted entry to attractions by making the most of special offers.

If you travel by train, you can get two-for-one entry to attraction such as Sea Life centres and Legoland Windsor through the National Rail website. And Kellogg's is currently running a free adult ticket promotion on its packets. Participating attractions include Legoland Windsor, Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures and Sea Life aquariums. It is one free adult per entry voucher, and the adult must be accompanied by a second adult or child who is paying the full 'on-the-day' price. Pre-booking is essential.

These are just some of the great ways you can have fun and make half-term memorable for the kids this February without having to break the bank.