The school summer holidays are a time for family fun, relaxation, and making memories, but as we know, the costs of holiday travel, activities, and outings can quickly add up.

So, are there creative and affordable ways to enjoy the break without financial stress? 

As with everything in life, planning is key, and tempting as it is to splurge on summer activities, create a budget for it, alongside your everyday items - food, energy, so you know how much you can spend. 

We are fortunate in North Hertfordshire and Stevenage with many beautiful parks and nature reserves from Norton Common and Howard Park and Gardens in Letchworth, Priory Memorial Gardens in Royston or Fairlands Valley Park in Stevenage, ideal for picnics, splashing and paddling, nature walks, treasure and scavenger hunts and more.  

Get sporty with free facilities from basketball, netball, tennis and skate parks; take your own drinks and snacks. 

Or if the weather is wet, home-based activities can keep the children entertained, from arts and crafts, baking, gardening, even a mini sports day in the garden.

Movie nights with homemade popcorn and board games equal fun without spending much. 

Look for deals on your big days out, reduced rates for families, or advanced booking discounts. Family rail tickets are a low cost travel option.

Many cafes and restaurants have summer ‘kids eat free’ deals, museums and galleries have special free admission days, family passes and activity days.

North Hertfordshire Museum in Hitchin, Stevenage Museum, and the Museum at One Garden City all offer free entry for a budget-friendly day out. Kids Club movies at the Broadway Cinema in Letchworth are £1.75 a ticket.  

Get reading with Hertfordshire Libraries annual free Summer Reading Challenge, encouraging children to read six books during the summer holidays.

Libraries host related events, including storytelling sessions, craft activities, and author visits, all at no cost, keeping kids engaged and learning throughout the summer. 

Local organisations from churches to family centres often run either free or very affordable summer programmes, with a range of activities from sports to arts and crafts, so kids can learn new skills and make new friends. There are also free community events, fairs, or festivals during the summer. 

Being upfront with your kids on stretching the budget over the summer gets them involved in planning some budget friendly activities, appreciating there is no summer magic money tree!

Summer holidays are not about spending lots of money every day, sometimes the best days don’t require a lot of money.