With another May bank holiday coming up, it can be tricky to find new ways to keep the kids entertained, especially while trying to stay within your budget. If you’re struggling for ideas, keep reading for our list of budget-friendly bank holiday activities.
Take Part in the National Trust’s ‘Summer of Play’ Event!
Every year, the National Trust puts on its ‘Summer of Play’ events throughout spring and summer. This includes a range of free activities for families and children, such as craft workshops, outdoor games, and nature walks across National Trust landscapes.
This year, the National Trust are offering:
- Build Your Own Obstacle Course – in Avebury, Marlborough, Wiltshire from 10am-5pm (running throughout May, available from Saturday 24th – Monday 26th for the bank holiday weekend).
- Croquet Coaching Days (this could be a good one if you’re having a break from the kids!) – at Montacute House in Somerset, from 11am-3pm on Saturday 24th May 2025.
- Trust10 Trails: Sunday Guided Run (another good one to do without the kids) – a 10k run from Kinder, Edale to the High Peak, Derbyshire at 9am-11am on Sunday 25th May 2025.
- Parent and Child Mindfulness – in Hatfield Forest, Bishop’s Stortford, Essex from 10:30am-11:30am on Sunday 25th May 2025.
To search for more events near you or for more information, click here.
Visit the Zoo or a Museum for Free!
If your kids are animal lovers, why not visit the zoo or museum for free this bank holiday?
There are plenty of free children’s zoos and museums which host live animals across the UK, including:
- Walton Hall Children’s Zoo – Walton Hall and Gardens, Higher Walton, Warrington, WA4 5LL
- Golders Hill Park Zoo – Golders Hill Park, London, NW3 7UL
- Manchester Museum – The Vivarium (you can expect to see live amphibians and reptiles here!) – Manchester Museum, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL
- The Bolton Libraries and Museums Aquarium – Le Mans Cres, Bolton, BL1 1SE
Go Crabbing
If you live near the seaside, taking your kids crabbing is a fun activity for the whole family. All you need is some crabbing lines or nets, bait, and a bucket! It might also be a good idea to wear crabbing gloves as an extra precaution.
For a guide to the best crabbing spots in the UK, click here.
Feed Those Hungry Tummies For Free!
If you’ll be out and about during the upcoming bank holiday, you’ll need somewhere to stop for food. Luckily, several places offer free children’s meals:
- TGI Fridays – Children up to 12 years old eat free all day, every day when you order an adult’s main. Available for new and existing Stripes Rewards members.
- Tesco Kids’ Pick ‘N’ Mix Lunch Deal – Choose a sandwich, a piece of fruit, 2 snacks and a drink. This meal deal is free with any adult purchase in a Tesco Cafe when their Kids Eat Free offer is available (usually during the May half term, which carries on from the bank holiday, likely to start Tuesday 27th May 2025).
- Brewdog – If you pre-book and an adult is eating too, kids eat for free from Saturday, 24th May – Sunday 1st June 2025.
Check out all the places kids can eat for free or for £1 across the UK here (make sure these offers are still available before you book!).
Plan Ahead for the May Bank Holiday
Bank holidays give us the opportunity to get out and about while spending quality time with family and friends. But you don’t have to break the bank to have a good time! You can make budget-friendly bank holiday activities just as special.
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