EASTER is upon us and it’s no surprise that the weather is set to be temperamental now the kids are off school.
It’s enough to get parents pulling their hair out after weeks of warm weather that would have been perfect for spending the bank holidays outdoors.
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But whatever the weather, here’s a few tried and tested ideas I use when it’s rainy or cold to keep my boys busy without breaking the bank.
Water fun
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When it’s wet outside, why not head to a pool or indoor waterpark to make the most of splashing about in the warm?
While the kids are off, pools often put on extra inflatable sessions, which cost about £5 a person at our local leisure centres, compared to around a tenner if you take on the aqua inflatables at a holiday park.
Lots of kids get swimming free if they are signed up to lessons at the council pool, so make sure you max out those freebies, as it’s easy to forget about perks that come with pool membership.
There are often ways to get around paying peak prices, even in school holidays.
Moorways Water Park and Sports Village in Derby has a 20 per cent discount code over the Easter holidays and cheaper sessions on Wednesdays so if you use both in one go, you’re only paying £5.60 per person for a 90-minute session, instead of the normal peak price of £10.
Heritage railways
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There’s nothing better than chugging along the track in an old-fashioned train carriage behind a steam engine, watching the world go by and the rain streaming down while you’re warm and dry.
In the last couple of years, we’ve taken a trip between Loughborough and Leicester on the Great Central Railway, as there’s often been a ‘kids for a quid’ deal over school holidays.
That meant I could take my three boys for a day out travelling the tracks for just £25 for all four of us.
While that deal’s not running this Easter, I’ve spotted another heritage railway in the Midlands that’s an even bigger bargain as kids ride free, while an adult rover ticket lasting all day only costs £15.
Peak Rail in the Derbyshire Dales is running an Easter treasure hunt along the line and the train this weekend for £1 a child, so it could be the perfect time to visit.
Movie madness
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We love a trip to the cinema, but it can soon add up when you’re buying tickets and snacks.
Tesco Clubcard points can be a great way to keep costs down as you can double up your points when you convert them into vouchers towards cinema tickets.
Another top tip is to look out for extra kids’ club showings that cinemas put on mid-morning over the school holidays.
These are usually films that have been out for a couple of months, but tickets only cost about £3 each.
If your kids are desperate to see the latest release, you can look out for deals like Meerkat Movies, which is a two for one ticket code valid for screenings on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
Having a movie night at home? Make it an event by setting up a snack station, where kids can pack a munchbox full of fresh popcorn, sweets and treats.
It costs next to nothing and is a good way to while away a few hours.
Check out churches
It’s worth taking a look at what’s on offer at your local churches over the long Easter weekend, as I’ve spotted quite a few in my area that are offering free crafts and kids’ activities, including indoor Easter egg hunts.
It’s a great way to share the Easter story with youngsters and I’ve always felt very welcome by the church folk, even though I’m not a member of the congregation.
One of my five-year-old’s favourite free activities last year was colouring in a kite at the church in our village and then running down the aisle with the kite flying behind him after the vicar launched it from the pulpit. It kept him happy for hours.
Free return visits
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Think back to museums and indoor attractions that you visited in the last year and you might be surprised to find you can get a free return visit if your day entry was converted into an annual pass.
There’s lots of places doing that now, including the Space Centre in Leicester and the British Motor Museum near Coventry.
Even if it doesn’t apply for this bank holiday, Easter could be a great time to be strategic with your spending, paying for a ticket now that you’ll use again in the summer over the longer school break.
Some of our best trips to theme parks have been in wet weather, as it keeps the crowds away so you don’t generally need to queue to get on the rides.
Attractions like Warwick Castle might even offer a rainy day promise, which means you can return free later in the season if it’s wet enough during your visit, so you could end up getting two days out for the price of one, if you’re willing to risk the rain.
Whatever the weather, there’s plenty of Easter family fun to be had if you think outside the box and spend your bank holiday budget wisely. Enjoy!
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How to save money at Easter
Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements shares her tips on how to save cash at Easter…
Stock up on eggs – The best value Easter eggs typically sell out by the time the long weekend comes around so by in advance and stash in a cupboard so that you don’t get tempted to nibble.
Cut entertaining costs – If you are hosting family or friends over the holiday, consider asking them to bring a dish such as dessert, or a couple of bottles to cut costs. Use a price comparison site to find the lowest prices on the food and any other decorations or gifts that you need. Try PriceRunner or Trolley.co.uk.
Plan ahead – School holidays combined with gift can make Easter a pricey time of year, especially if you have children. Create a budget ahead of time and look for ways to keep it in check. You can go for free days out by making a scavenge hunts and limit the number of
Flash sales – Make a list of what you need for Easter and look out for flash sales or promotions from supermarkets on items that you need.
Cashback – Use cashback sites to get a little kick back on any spending that you are doing. Try Topcashback or Quidco.
