Welcome to our guide on cheap family days out! We understand that finding affordable ways to create lasting memories with your loved ones is a top priority.
Whether you’re on a tight budget or want to save some extra cash, we’re here to help you make the most of your family adventures without breaking the bank.
Inside this guide, you’ll find a wealth of valuable information to assist you in planning your budget-friendly outings. We’ll share top tips, answers to your questions and provide eight top picks for discount family days out.
Read on to start planning your cheap day out with the family…
Jump ahead to:
– Cheap Days Out with the Kids FAQs
– Our Tips for Cheap Days Out with the Family
– Great Spots for Cheap Family Days Out Near You
Cheap Days Out with the Kids FAQs
What can you do with your family on a budget?
There are so many activities you can enjoy with your family without breaking the bank, from free activities, like canoeing and bird watching, to cheap days out. Find out about the latter by reading the blog!
Where can a family go on the weekend?
In our blog, you’ll find many affordable activities for weekend family fun. For a more exciting experience, consider booking a last-minute staycation with discounted prices on a variety of cottages.
How can I have fun with my kids on a budget?
One of the best ways to have fun without spending money is simple: be imaginative! Come up with new ways to have fun with the little ones, such as exploring local nature, finding free events near you or by trying something different and visiting one of the attractions in this blog.
Our Tips for Cheap Days Out for Families
Bring lunch with you 
One of the most effective ways to save money during a cheap family day out is taking your own food with you. Whether you’re going to the cinema or to a historic house, it’s very handy to bring along your own snacks or picnic with you. Additionally, if any of the little ones have dietary requirements, you can pack exactly what they need.
Take public transport
Depending on how far away the attraction is that you’re trying to visit, it’s worth considering public transport. You can cut down on petrol costs this way, and many of these activities are situated in towns/cities with great bus and rail links!
Use vouchers
Discount codes/vouchers allow you to enjoy more activities and attractions without breaking your budget. There are several websites offering codes for you to use, including the attraction’s own sites. We even offer our very own discount code page, where you can find some treats!
Go out-of-season
Off-peak seasons offer discounted rates, shorter queues, and a more relaxed atmosphere for enjoyable and cost-effective family outings. So, why not consider venturing to an attraction during winter/autumn?
Great Spots for Cheap Days Out Near You
1. Edinburgh Zoo, Edinburgh – £ £ £ £ £
First up on our top picks for cheap family days out is Edinburgh Zoo! An accessible attraction, it rests moments away from the city centre and compared to other attractions, Edinburgh Zoo offers reasonable ticket prices, especially for families.
Children under three years old enter for free, and there are often discounts available for seniors and students. Plus, if you’re visiting with a group of 15+ people, you can also receive a special discount. If you book in advance on their website, you can save some money this way too.
Wondering what to get up to when you’re here? We have you covered. After paying your ticket fee, you have a wealth of attractions at your disposal. Penguins Rock, Edinburgh Zoo Gardens and Dinosaurs! are just a few of the highlights here.
Afterwards, you can look forward to exploring Edinburgh, where a host of attractions offering free days out await.
Website: www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/
Booking information: www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/plan-your-visit/day-planner/tickets-prices/
Contact: 0131 334 9171 | info@rzss.org.uk
Social media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Address: 134 Corstorphine Rd, Corstorphine, Edinburgh EH12 6TS
2. Porthminster Beach, Cornwall – £ £ £ £ £
Beaches in the UK are a fantastic way to enjoy a budget-friendly family outing whilst enjoying a stunning location, and Porthminster Beach is no exception. With it being by a train station, you won’t need to fret about driving times or petrol costs!
Free to access, this beach is one all the family will enjoy, offering plenty of free things to do. At low tide, this Cornwall beach reveals an array of rock pools that the little ones will enjoy exploring.
Thanks to its lifeguard-patrolled waters, you and the family can enjoy a relaxing dip. Alternatively, make the most of the beach’s access to the South West Coast Path; the shore rests along the Carbis Bay to St Ives stretch.
The beach offers a range of family-friendly facilities at affordable prices. There are reasonably priced beachside cafes, snack bars, and kiosks that provide options for affordable meals, such as the Porthminster Beach Cafe.
Address: Carbis Bay, Saint Ives TR26 2EB
3. Delamere Forest, Cheshire – £ £ £ £ £
If you want to enjoy a cheap family day out that allows you to get close to nature, Delamere Forest is a great option. Another spot that’s free to enter, the forest offers so much for all ages to enjoy. There is a parking charge to pay, however, if you come via bike, foot or the nearby train station – it’s totally free.
The forest boasts an outdoor play area for the little ones, where they can play the day away whilst you savour a light bite from the on-site café and food stalls. Alternatively, save even more money by bringing your own packed lunch and tucking into it at the forest’s picnic and barbecue spaces.
One of the major highlights of this cheap family day out is the ample wildlife spotting opportunities! The trails here pass through amphibian crossings and around a lake housing lapwings and Canada geese.
If you want to take your woodland visit up a notch, be sure to visit Go Ape Delamere, where high ropes course, segway trips and more await. Make the most of Go Ape’s deals, so you can enjoy the best discount family day out possible!
Website: www.forestryengland.uk/delamere-forest
Contact: 0300 067 4340 | delamere@forestryengland.uk
Social media: Facebook
Address: Linmere, Delamere, Northwich, CW8 2HZ
4. Bowling House, Norfolk – £ £ £ £ £
If you’re looking to strike out during a cheap day out with the family, we recommend bowling! The Bowling House is a top pick when it comes to affordable bowling alleys and is unsurprisingly one of Norwich‘s most popular attractions.
If you pay £25, you and three family members can enjoy 45 minutes on a lane; that comes to £5 per head – not bad! And, if you want to belt out some tunes, why not hire out a karaoke booth. These cost up to £19 for 1-8 people.
Alternatively, tuck into a tasty bite from the Bowling House’s menu! When it comes to the kids, they can enjoy one of the kid’s deal meals, which include a main dish, drink and dessert for £10.
Website: www.bowlinghouse.co.uk/
Booking information: www.bowlinghouse.co.uk/book-bowling-house
Contact: bookings@bowlinghouse.co.uk
Social media: Facebook | Instagram
Address: Bowling House Ltd, 5 Dereham Road, Nowrich, England, NR2 4HX
5. Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool – £ £ £ £ £
Nestled in the UK’s cheapest holiday destination is our next top pick for a discount family day out, Blackpool Pleasure Beach! A must-visit UK theme park, Blackpool Pleasure Beach offers a range of online ticket deals, helping you to save money when booking in advance.
Included in the ticket price are an array of seasonal events, including the family-friendly delight of the Summertime Games. Here, you can partake in obstacle courses, food competitions and football activities.
There are several family rides on offer at the theme park too, including the Pleasure Beach Express, Grand Prix track ride and the Derby Racer.
When it comes to food, you’ll be pleased to find that the park has an All You Can Drink policy, so you can enjoy endless refills on both hot and cold drinks during your visit. A host of different food and snack options are dotted around the park too, from Burger King to Bubble Waffle.
Website: www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/
Booking information: bookings.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/
Contact: 0871 222 1234
Social media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Address: Blackpool Pleasure Beach, 525 Ocean Boulevard, Promenade, Blackpool, FY4 1EZ
6. Zeffirellis Cinema, Ambleside – £ £ £ £ £
If you want to enjoy a cheap family day out during a rainy day in the Lake District, why not visit the cinema? Zeffirellis Cinema in Ambleside is the perfect spot, supporting independent and blockbuster films.
Before or after enjoying your movie of choice, why not visit Zeffirellis’ restaurant? Breakfast options, pizza, a lunch menu and an evening menu are on offer here. Alternatively, cut costs further by bringing along your own cinema snack box. Bon appétit has provided a list of the top 29 snacks to bring to the cinema.
The cinema also offers movie deals, where all the family can enjoy a two-course meal and a film for a set price. If you book in advance, you can enjoy further savings with the Early Bird deal!
Website: www.zeffirellis.com/film
Contact: 015394 33845
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Address: Millans Park, Ambleside, LA22 9AD
7. Zip World Penrhyn Quarry, Snowdonia – £ £ £ £ £
Are you a group of thrill seekers after a cheap family day out? Zip World Penrhyn Quarry has you covered. Boasting amazing views of the Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) mountain range, and activities starting from £10, it’s great value for money!
One of the most popular activities here is the Quarry Flyer! Here, both you and the kids can enjoy soaring through the air on the zip wire. Alternatively, have a go on Aero Explorer, an experience perfect for daredevils, where you can zoom around spiral towers above the quarry.
When you’re feeling peckish, why not head to Blondin Restaurant? Tuck into a range of dishes, including Welsh burgers and pizza; yum! And, if you pick up a loyalty card, you can enjoy a complimentary drink or food on your seventh trip.
Additionally, the quarry offers free parking, so you don’t need to worry about the pesky car park machines!
Website: www.zipworld.co.uk/location/penrhyn-quarry
Contact: 01248 601444
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
Address: Bethesda, Bangor LL57 4YG
8. The Dragonfly Maze, Cotswolds – £ £ £ £ £
A low-cost activity for cheap days out for families is exploring a maze! The Dragonfly Maze in the Cotswolds is a fantastic choice for this, with ticket costs starting at £3.50. If you’re visiting as a family of four, you can pay a discounted price of £15; plus, children under four years old can visit for free!
The Dragonfly Maze is a classic maze with a twist. The twist is a puzzle including 14 clues you will need to find amidst the yew hedges. So, the little ones can enjoy a stimulating day out, testing their critical thinking for an affordable price!
This attraction is dog-friendly too, just one of many reasons why the Heart of England is a top dog-friendly holiday destination the UK.
Website: thedragonflymaze.com/
Contact: info@thedragonflymaze.com
Social Media: Facebook
Address: Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham GL54 2BN
Feeling inspired by our guide on cheap days out for families? Find even more things to enjoy by exploring our Family Travel Guide. Our App features great ways to find attractions near your holiday cottage too, why not download it if you haven’t already?