Free & cheap things to do with kids

A baaa-gain day out for families

You don't have to be out in the countryside to get a taste of rural life. Your little ones can make furry or feathery friends by visiting local children's farms, even in the big cities.

It's best to check the farm's website before you go as some require you to book, especially during school holidays. Some farms will ask for an optional donation.

While we can't check the whole of the UK, here are a few farms we spotted that are free to enter:

• Deen City Farm near Wimbledon, South-West London. Open Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays from 10am to 4.30pm. Booking is recommended, and essential during school holidays.
  

• Stonebridge City Farm in Nottingham. Open every day from 10am to 4.15pm. No need to book.
  

• Bath City Farm near Bath. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 4pm and Sunday from 9.30am to 4pm. No need to book.
  

• Surrey Docks Farm in South-East London. Open every day from 10am to 4pm. Booking is required for groups.
  

• Vauxhall City Farm in Vauxhall, South London. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10.30am to 4pm. Booking required for groups of eight or more.

See our round-up of free museums and art galleries across the UK

Culture vultures can stroll through the history of dinosaurs, find out about forensics or see the evolution of toys at more than 200 free museums and galleries. These include:

• RAF Museum in Hendon, London
  
  Walk through five buildings with aircraft, artefacts, aviation memorabilia and photos of the history of aviation. MoneySaver J McEntee said:
  
  "This is a fantastic museum. It is very child-friendly with lots of interactive things for children to do. There are picnic areas both inside and outside the museum if you want to bring your own food and snacks. Great for families and all ages."
  
  

• House of Marbles between Exeter and Plymouth, Devon
  
  See marbles and glass being made, with handmade artisan glass marbles and trinkets on display. Enjoy interactive marble runs including the largest in the UK. MoneySaver Jamie M said:
  
  "There's loads to see and do, including watching the artisans at work. There's a restaurant but also space outside to eat, and the gift shop is mesmerising for kids."
  
  

• Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester
  
  Explore the city's industrial and scientific history through its collections. MoneySaver Irene Djan said:
  
  "Went with the family (10yr old & 3yr old) and can't fault it! Staff were friendly and well informed and the activities, exhibitions and demonstrations were fantastic."
  
  

• National Museum Cardiff
  
  Be a part of Welsh history from early periods to the present day, including archaeology and geology. MoneySaver Rebecca M said:
  
  "It has loads of different things to see, including a brilliant geology and dinosaur section, as well as a hands-on room where you can handle exhibits. The art collection is superb too with lots of impressionist paintings and pieces by very famous artists."

For up to six people with a valid train ticket (we've a trick if not travelling by train)

If you register with Days Out Guide and buy a National Rail ticket, you can get 33% off the online advance ticket price for Merlin theme parks and attractions, including Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures, Legoland, and Thorpe Park – see 'More info' below for the full list.

There's a simpler 25% off theme parks via Kellogg's packs deal, which in some cases could save you more, so have a look to see which works out better for you.

How to get 33% off

• Choose which theme park you want to visit at Days Out Guide and you'll be given a 33% off code.

• Go via Days Out Guide to the theme park's own website and use the code to book advance tickets online. You can book up to a maximum of six tickets per code. You'll need to do it by 11pm the day before you want to visit.

• On arrival at the theme park, you'll need to present your tickets alongside a valid train ticket (one for the station nearest the attraction) dated for the same day. Each person needs a valid train ticket.

Some dates are excluded, and tickets are limited during peak times. See full terms & conditions.

What if I live near the attraction/am travelling by other means?

If you're not travelling by train but this deal would still work out cheaper for you, you can buy a cheap single ticket (usually for a couple of quid) to the nearest station to your attraction – just get a train ticket from the next station along.

Via £1-£4 Kellogg's snack & cereal packs. Valid for up to two people

If you buy a Kellogg's promotional snack pack or box of cereal, you can get 25% off the price of up to two online advance entry tickets for 28 Merlin attractions including Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures, and Legoland – see the full list. It's for visits until Tuesday 30 June 2026.

This is a simple deal, but you may be able to save even more with this 33% off theme parks with a National Rail ticket offer, so have a look to see which works out better for you.

How to get 25% off

• Buy a Kellogg's promotional snack pack or box of cereal (about £1 to £4 when we checked) and scan the QR code on the pack, or visit the Kellogg's Merlin site. You'll need to register/sign in to a Kellogg’s account.
  

• Enter the 10-digit code you'll find inside the pack (starting with a K). You'll be emailed a discount code within 24 hours, and it's valid for one visit until 30 June 2026.
  

• Go to the offer claim site to enter the code and book your tickets. One code is valid for up to two people, and includes both adult and child tickets. You need to book by 11pm on the day before you want to visit.

Some dates are excluded, and tickets are limited during peak times. See full terms & conditions.

Which Kellogg's products are included?

If you're just after the 25% off, snack packs are the way to go. The cheapest we found was £1.18.

Here's the full list of participating snack packs:

• Nutri-grain Raisin 6x45g and Chocolate 6x45g

• Rice Krispies Squares Marshmallow 4x28g and 8x28g, Chocolatey 4x36g and 8x36g, and Caramel & Chocolate 4x36g

• Rice Krispies Cereal Bars 6x20g

• Frosties Cereal Bars 6x25g

• Coco Pops Cereal Bars 6x20g

• Special K Red Berry Bar 6x21.5g

Here's the full list of participating cereals:

• Krave Chocolate Hazelnut 410g and 750g, and Milk Chocolate 410g and 750g

• Corn Flakes 450g, 670g and 1kg

• Coco Pops 420g, 650g and Chocos 430g

• Rice Krispies 310g, 430g, 660g and Multigrain 350g

• Crunchy Nut 300g, 720g, 840g, 1kg, Clusters 400g and Salted Caramel 375g

Important: Make sure you check the Kellogg's cereal/snack you're buying for the '25% off great days out' messaging, as it's only these ones that are valid.

Including Eden Project, Longleat Safari and many more

Convert Tesco Clubcard points into Tesco Reward Partners vouchers and on many attractions you get two-times the vouchers' face value to use on tickets, for example £5 in points converts into £10-worth of vouchers. They can be used at theme parks, wildlife parks and more.

Here are some of the popular theme parks you can choose:

• Alton Towers

• Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort

• Chessington

• Drayton Manor

• Legoland Windsor

• Thorpe Park

And some of the other attractions:

• Eden Project

• Blackpool Zoo

• Longleat Safari

• National Sea Life, Birmingham

• Cadbury World

For how to fully maximise Clubcard points, see our Boost Tesco Clubcard guide.

First Sunday of every month and during summer holidays

If you go online to Dobbies Garden Centre (find your nearest store), you can book your child a place on one of its free workshops for 4-10-year-olds.

These include Little Seedlings, which run on the first Sunday of every month, at its stores across the UK (excluding a few locations).

You can also attend during the summer holidays which is themed on summer scents – this can be booked via this link..

Little Seedlings workshops get children planting and learning about nature and wildlife. Each workshop is on a different topic and lasts around 45-60 minutes. Children will be given a welcome pack containing stickers and a folder to store the activities each month. There’s also an attendance card and each child will receive a certificate after their third, sixth and twelfth workshops. 

It told us parents will need to stay with their children during the workshops.

See cheap days out for more ways to save on family fun.

When you buy £2-£4 promo packs of Kellogg's cereal

If you're after a cereal-ously good deal for young footy fans, you can score 'free' football day camps for kids, when you purchase a promotional pack of Kellogg's cereal (Rice Krispies, Coco Pops or Corn Flakes) at most major supermarkets. The camps are taking place at over 150 locations across the UK.

You'll need to buy a promotional pack by Monday 18 August, then scan the on-pack QR code or visit the Kellogg's website to claim a free football camp by 11.59pm on Monday 25 August.

The Kellogg’s football camps are in partnership with the English Football League, Manchester City, Celtic FC and Rangers FC, and they aim to offer children aged 5-15 the chance to get outside this summer, gain new skills and meet new friends, all while learning under the guidance of FA-qualified coaches.

There are more than 30,000 places available throughout July and August, with some limited places in September. The day camps are roughly between three to six hours.

What do I need to buy?

Purchase any of the following promotional packs of cereal from a participating supermarket (all the major ones including Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury's):

• Rice Krispies 310g, 430g, and 660g. Normally £2.35-£3.75

• Rice Krispies Multigrain 350g. Normally £2.84

• Coco Pops 420g, 650g. Normally £2.85-£4

• Coco Pops Chocos 430g. Normally £2.58

• Corn Flakes 450g, 670g and 1kg. Normally £2.19-£3.98

When we checked, the cheapest option to buy was Cornflakes (450g) at Tesco for £2.19.

For how to claim the 'free' football camp, see 'More info' directly below.

Weekend events in England, Scotland & Wales

If your kids dream of being the next Andy Murray or Emma Raducanu, you can 'net' free tennis sessions or coaching as part of Barclays Big Tennis Weekends, organised by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). They're on at more than 60 venues across England, Scotland and Wales (sadly it's not available in Northern Ireland).

These weekends run all year round – you can look online to find your nearest, so the ball's in your court to decide when and where to play.

Events and activities vary between venues, but will include cardio tennis, coaching and free play. It's aimed at young families, but everyone is welcome – all ages and abilities (though under-18s must be accompanied by an adult). Rackets and balls will be provided.

How to book

The LTA suggests you visit its website to book online in advance, but in some cases it's fine to turn up on the day as long as there's room. At some smaller venues, you won't be able to book in advance and are advised to just turn up – though if that's the case, it's always worth calling ahead to prevent a wasted trip.

Sign up for weekly classes nationwide. For ages 11-16

Girls aged 11-16 years old can get totally free fitness classes at Nuffield Health clubs (find your nearest) when signing up to its Move Together scheme. The classes are designed to get young girls engaged and enjoying physical activity, as well as building confidence.

To take part, check Nuffield Health online to find your nearest class, then sign up or log in to book your free class. It doesn't matter if parents are members of Nuffield Health – any girl can take part in the free sessions, although parents will need to consent to participation for girls aged 11 and 12 years old.

Classes are between 45 minutes to one hour long, and are a mixture of cardio and weights. Nuffield Health told us there are over 100 sessions per week across the clubs, and classes vary from circuits to Zumba, and yoga to HIIT. All classes include a warm-up and cool down. 

Weekly 2K run for 4 to 14 year olds

Children aged 4 to 14 can take part in weekly timed 2K runs in parks all over the UK on Sunday mornings (usually at 9am). A parent or guardian will need to accompany a child under 11 to and from the event, and can take part as well. Children can walk, jog, skip or run the course. See Junior Parkrun FAQs.

Children any age are also welcome at the on Saturday mornings, but these are usually busier.

Sign up to get it in the post four times a year

If your child is aged 5-9, you can sign up to be sent a totally free Lego Life Magazine in the post four times a year.

The magazine includes Lego news, themed games and puzzles, character comics, posters, and sneak peeks at future Lego sets.

Digital versions of 'Golden Beano' available to download

If you go online to classic comic Beano, you can download six editions of its Golden Beano comic totally free. To download the comic, simply click/tap on the image of each comic and it'll open as a PDF. You can then print or download this to your device and it'll be yours to keep.

Golden Beano is a collection of comic strips, puzzles and jokes from its archives over the last 80 years.

Online and in store

Get more bang for your book, when you head online to The Works* or into a store (find your nearest*), as you can get 10 kids' picture books for £10 as part of a bundle multibuy offer.

The offer's valid on all kids' picture book bundles in the 'Mix & Match' multibuy section* and when we checked online on Tuesday 6 February there were 18 bundles to choose from. If you're shopping in store, this selection of books will be clearly marked. No discount code is needed, this deal is automatically applied at the checkout.

If you order online, you'll qualify for free Click & Collect when you spend £10, too. Alternatively, standard delivery is £3.99, or free when you spend £30 or more. Both options will take around three working days to be delivered in-store or to your delivery address.

The Works has told us that this is an ongoing offer with no specific end date.

RRPs for these books are usually between £4.99-£6.99, while The Works usually sells them for £2 each.

See for more like this.

Via Stripes Rewards app, when an adult buys a main

If you dine in at a TGI Fridays restaurant (find your nearest) any day of the week and at all times of the day, children aged 12 and under can eat for free if you're signed up to its Stripes Rewards app and purchase a full-price adult main meal. The TGI Fridays Rewards app is available for free on iPhone and Android. 

This offer is available for new and existing members of the Rewards app. You'll need to select the 'kids eat free' deal found in the app, tap redeem and a code will appear. Show this code to your server when ordering.

Kids will be able to get dishes from either the 'Little League' or 'Major League' section of the TGI Fridays’ kids’ menu which include chicken tenders or a hot dog which would usually cost £5.65-£8.20 depending on your location. Or, you can get a free kids' breakfast if an adult breakfast is ordered.

This offer is available at all UK TGI Fridays restaurants, excluding Northern Ireland, and can only be used when eating in-store (not available for click & collect or delivery). You can get one free kids' meal for each full-price adult main meal purchased. You can't use this offer alongside other promotions.

Fancy eating somewhere out? Check out our Restaurant deals page for the latest offers. 

When an adult buys a main

If you dine in at a Las Iguanas restaurant (find your nearest) any day of the week and at all times of the day during the summer holidays, children aged 12 and under can eat for free when you purchase a full-price adult main meal.

Kids will be able to get a main, two sides, a dessert and a drink which normally costs £7.50.

This offer is available at all Las Iguanas restaurants, but excludes event days at the O2, Wembley, Resorts World, Cardiff, Mill Lane and Brindley Place locations and at Las Iguanas Center Parcs.

It can only be used when eating in store (not available for click & collect or delivery). You can get one free kids' meal for each full-price adult main meal purchased. You can't use this offer alongside other promotions.

Fancy eating somewhere out? Check out our Restaurant deals page for the latest offers.

Or for £1 in some locations. When an adult buys an unlimited breakfast

Up to two children aged under 15 can get a 'free' breakfast at some Travelodge hotels (find your nearest) when accompanied by an adult buying an unlimited cooked breakfast. In other locations, it'll cost £1 for a kids' breakfast per paying adult – see list of locations here.

This offer is valid during breakfast hours every day of the week (though this will vary depending on location) and there is no code needed to claim this deal, it's automatically applied to the bill. This is an ongoing deal with no specific end date.

An unlimited adult breakfast normally costs from £9.99. It doesn't matter if you're a guest or not at Travelodge hotels, this offer applies to walk-ins too. This offer doesn't apply to 'Breakfast To Go'.

Check out our Restaurant deals page for the latest offers.

When an adult buys a main meal

If you dine in at a Banana Tree restaurant (find your nearest) on a Sunday, you can get one free kids' meal when an adult buys a main meal from the All Day menu.

No code is required, the promotion is automatically applied to the bill. The free kids' meal includes a main and a dessert which would normally cost £7.75. This deal applies all times of the day, on Sundays only.

This freebie can't be used with any other offer or promotion, and it's not valid for delivery, takeaway, click & collect or at the O2 Arena restaurant on event days.

See our Restaurant deals and vouchers page for other dining out deals.

When an adult buys a main meal

If you dine in at a Bill's restaurant (find your nearest), you can get up to two free kids' meals (normally £7.45 each) when purchasing an adult main meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner). This deal is running on Boxing Day this year (Friday 26 December) as a festive treat.

As up to two kids aged 10 years old and under can get a free meal when an adult orders a full-price main, it could be a great option for single parents, or if you're out solo with two kids.

The free kids' meal comes with a main, side and dessert. The following items are some main meals available on the kids' menu: buttermilk pancakes, mac & cheese, and fish fingers & chips.

There's no code needed as this offer is automatically applied to your bill. This cannot be used alongside another deal or discount code and doesn't apply to set menus.

See more places kids can eat for free.

When an adult spends £10

If you dine in at any The Real Greek restaurant (find your nearest) on a Sunday, you can get one free kids' meal for each adult spending £10 or more. The £10 spend is valid across all menu items, including drinks.

This deal applies all times of the day, on Sundays only.

No code is required, the promotion is automatically applied to the bill. The free kids' meal includes a main (choose from a souvlaki wrap or a meze selection), a drink and an ice cream or sorbet dessert. A kids' meal would usually cost £7.

Children must be under 12 and this can't be used with any other offer or promotion. One free kids' meal per adult spending £10. 

See our Restaurant deals and vouchers page for other dining out deals.

When an adult spends £4 in café

If you're visiting a Dunelm* (find your nearest*) and fancy a bite to eat, head to its in-store café, Pausa, and kids can eat for 'free' when an adult spends £4. 

No code is required, the promotion is automatically applied to the bill. This offer is available in all Pausa Cafés across the UK every day of the week, from opening until cafés close. Dunelm told us this is an on-going deal with no end date.

The 'free' kids' meal includes a main (example dishes include a jacket potato with cheese, chicken & pesto wrap, or a cheese pizza), as well as two snacks and a drink. This would usually cost up to £5.25. 

The £4 spend must be made in the Pausa Café (not Dunelm) and the deal applies to the entire kids' menu. One child can eat for free with every £4 spent, so if you spend £8 then two children can claim a free meal. 

See our Restaurant deals for more ways to save.

When an adult buys a cooked breakfast. Valid every day

Up to two children aged under 16 can eat a 'free' breakfast at any Beefeater restaurant (find your nearest) when accompanied by an adult buying an unlimited cooked breakfast.

This offer is valid during breakfast hours every day of the week and there is no code needed to claim this deal, it's automatically applied to the bill. Beefeater told us this is an ongoing deal with no specific end date. 

An unlimited adult cooked breakfast costs £10.99, so if a family of four have breakfast, it would work out at about £5.50 per head.

Kids can choose from either a full cooked breakfast including bacon, sausages (meat or vegan options), eggs, hash browns, beans, cooked tomatoes, mushrooms and black pudding. Or they can opt for a continental selection including toast, yoghurt, porridge and pastries.

This deal is also available at all Premier Inn hotels and its integrated or adjoining Whitbread restaurants including Bar + Block, Brewers Fayre, Table Table, and Whitbread Inns.

Check out our Restaurant deals page for the latest offers. 

When adult buys a cooked breakfast. Valid every day

Up to two children aged under 16 can eat a 'free' breakfast at any Brewers Fayre restaurant (find your nearest) when accompanied by an adult buying an unlimited cooked breakfast.

This offer is valid during breakfast hours every day of the week and there is no code needed to claim this deal, it's automatically applied to the bill. Brewers Fayre told us this is an ongoing deal with no specific end date. 

An unlimited adult cooked breakfast costs between £9.99-£10.50 (depending on location), so if a family of four have breakfast, it would work out a around £5 per head.

Kids can choose from either a full cooked breakfast including bacon, sausages (meat or vegan options), eggs, hash browns, beans, cooked tomatoes, mushrooms and black pudding. Or they can opt for a continental selection including toast, yoghurt, porridge and pastries.

This deal is also available at all Premier Inn hotels and its integrated or adjoining Whitbread restaurants including Bar + Block, Beefeater, Table Table, and Whitbread Inns.

Check out our Restaurant deals page for the latest offers. 

When an adult buys a cooked breakfast. Valid every day

Up to two children aged under 16 can eat a 'free' breakfast at any Table Table restaurant (find your nearest) when accompanied by an adult buying an unlimited cooked breakfast.

This offer is valid during breakfast hours every day of the week and there is no code needed to claim this deal, it's automatically applied to the bill. Table Table told us this is an ongoing deal with no specific end date. 

An unlimited adult cooked breakfast costs £9.99, so if a family of four have breakfast, it would work out at around £5 per head.

Kids can choose from either a full cooked breakfast including bacon, sausages (meat or vegan options), eggs, hash browns, beans, cooked tomatoes, mushrooms and black pudding. Or they can opt for a continental selection including toast, yoghurt, porridge and pastries.

This deal is also available at all Premier Inn hotels and its integrated or adjoining Whitbread restaurants including Bar + Block, Beefeater, Brewers Fayre, and Whitbread Inns.

Check out our Restaurant deals page for the latest offers. 

When an adult buys a main meal

If you head to your local Dobbies Garden Centre restaurant (find your nearest store), kids can eat for £1 when an adult main meal is purchased (£8.95-£11.75). There's no code needed, this is automatically applied to your bill. 

This deal is available daily from 9am until restaurant closing time, but this may vary depending on location. There is currently no end date for this offer but we’ll update you here if that changes.

Kids can choose from the children's breakfast and lunch menu, which includes hot food, as well as the pick & mix box – both are served with a drink. Kids' meals usually cost £5.20. There's no limit to how many free meals can be claimed either, so for every adult main meal purchased, one free kids' lunch main or box is redeemable.

This offer is not available in any of the 'Little Dobbies' stores, and the following Dobbies’ stores: Andover, Lelant, Marple, Reading, York and Anchorwood.

See our Restaurant deals and vouchers page for other dining out deals.

No minimum spend required

Kids aged 16 or under can eat for £1 when dining in at any Asda café (find your nearest). There's no minimum spend or purchase required, and this deal is valid all day, seven days a week.

Asda told us there's a maximum of one meal per child, per day. The kids' menu includes dishes such as fish fingers, all-day breakfast and chicken nuggets which would normally cost £3.20. Kids can choose from either a hot or cold meal, and now all meals come with a piece of fruit.

For babies under 18 months, you can get one 70g free pouch of Ella’s Kitchen baby food as part of this deal.

See our Restaurant deals and vouchers page for other dining out deals.

When an adult buys a main meal. Valid every day

If you're visiting a Morrisons Café (find your nearest*), you can get a free kids' meal (normally costing £3.50) when purchasing an adult main meal for £5 or more. The offer is valid every day, all times of the day until cafés close. Morrisons has confirmed this is an ongoing offer, but we'll update you here if that changes. This offer isn't valid on café specials. 

The free kids' meal comes with a piece of fruit and Tropicana kids' orange or apple drink, or bottle of water. Kids can choose between a hot meal on the café kids menu or a pick 'n' mix style meal, including a sandwich, snack and drink. The following items are some main meals available on the café kids' menu:

• Macaroni cheese 

• Bangers and mash

• Fish fingers and chips 

• Chicken nuggets, chips and peas

See our Restaurant deals for more ways to save.

When an adult buys a main meal. Mondays only

If you go into your local Hungry Horse pub (find your nearest) on a Monday, kids can eat from £1 when an adult purchases a main meal (normally £7.29-£8.49). There's no code or voucher needed, the discount is applied automatically. There's no end date for this deal – it's currently an ongoing offer. 

With this deal, children can choose from either a small chicken burger or kids' lasagne for £1. The build your own tacos, large chicken strips meal, mini fish & chips, dirty beef burger, large chicken burger, kids' chilli and large chicken wings will be slightly more at £1.50.

This offer includes a main meal only, so if you want to do the meal deal and add a drink and pudding, this will increase the price up to £3 or £3.50, depending on their main meal option. 

Kid's meals usually cost between £3.69 and £4.29. 

This is valid all day on Mondays and includes Bank Holidays, too. Up to two children can eat with one adult paying full price. The offer cannot be used alongside the adult steak Monday deal and is for dine-in only.

See Hungry Horse website for full T&Cs.

Check out our Restaurant deals page for the latest offers. 

When an adult buys a main meal

If you head to your local Sizzling Pub (find your nearest) and purchase a main meal (usually between £6-12), you can get a kids' meal for £1 when ordered at the same time. There’s no code or voucher needed, the discount will be applied automatically.

This offer is an ongoing offer, valid Monday to Friday from 3pm.

The kids' menu includes dishes such as fish fingers and Quorn nuggets which would usually cost from £2.49.

This is valid at all Sizzling Pubs restaurants. All food must be purchased in the same transaction for this deal to apply. This offer won't work on the breakfast or any other set menu.

Sizzling Pubs confirmed there is no age limit to kids claiming the £1 meal, however some users have told us they tried to redeem it and were told it is only for children aged five and under, so it may be worth checking with your local branch before claiming this offer.

Check out our Restaurant deals page for the latest offers.