Ten cheap things to do with (or without) kids this summer

School holidays can be a difficult time of year, with increased food and utility costs from having the kids at home.

See below for our hints, tips and resources to to kick start your summer without it costing the Earth.

In addition we have a hardship fund which supports customers struggling to pay for essentials. We have provided items such as beds, white goods and carpets over the last year and we are excited to announce we can now offer help with school uniforms. To find out if you are eligible please contact our Moneywise team on 0300 123 3399 for more information.

Want some ideas for smart shopping? Visit www.ravenht.org.uk to find out more.

1. Enjoy your local parks and playgrounds.

We’re fortunate to have some idyllic parks throughout Surrey and Sussex. So get the kids off that games console and drag them out to visit your nearest green space for some outdoor activities. Why not make it extra special and prepare a picnic for the day?

Here’s a comprehensive list of parks and playgrounds near you (Surrey)

View the Sussex list here:

2. Make the most of Mother Nature

Get outside and see some of the most beautiful natural spaces in the UK. We’re talking about the North Downs, South Downs, Box Hill and Banstead Woods. Go out for long walks (bring the bikes and scooters) and witness the abundance of wildlife on display. If you have kids - bring bats, balls, other outdoor games, and dare we say it… Pokémon Go for the older ones. You’ve Gotta Catch ‘Em All!

3. Explore with Treasure Trails

Follow the trail, solve the clues and see the sites with Treasure Trails - an imaginative way to explore towns, cities and villages throughout the UK. Take a self-guided tour along an easy to follow route, while cracking clues and taking in some fascinating sites. Routes are available in Reigate, Box Hill, Dorking, Oxted, Epsom and Tilgate Park in Crawley. At just £6.99 for four to five people, it’s an absolute bargain for a day out.

Please visit the website for more information on how to book.

4. Have a go at Geocaching

Using the same technology as Pokémon Go, Geocaching is an outdoor activity where people use their mobile phones and other devices to hide and find “geocaches” or “caches” at locations marked by coordinates around the world. This is a perfect activity to blend the use of smartphones with the great outdoors. It’s also beneficial for kids because it teaches them how to read a map and improves their observational skills. Fun and educational! Download the App now at www.geocaching.com/play to get started.

5. Visit a local museum

Some museums have free entry and make for a perfect day out. The best museums are often the little independent ones, run by enthusiasts who are bursting to share their knowledge of toys, trains and aeroplanes with anyone who will listen. We’ve picked two of our favourites: East Surrey Museum, Caterham – on display are artefacts and documents relating to social history, archaeology and the geology of East Surrey from the earliest times to the most recent past. Opening times and events are available to view at

Gatwick Aviation Museum, Gatwick – boasts a unique collection of British aircraft. From the end of WWII until the 1970s British aircraft designers produced some of the most innovative and advanced aircraft of the day. Check opening times by visiting

6. Go swimming

Taking the kids swimming is a fairly cheap and healthy activity. Locally, there are leisure centres with pools in Redhill, Tadworth and Horley. So dust off the inflatables and take a plunge in the deep end!

7. Visit your local library

You don’t need to be a bookworm to enjoy a visit to the library. Libraries are often overlooked because people just aren’t aware of the free family-friendly craft activities, treasure hunts and book challenges they host. While you’re there, why not take out a book detailing the area where you live, to give you further ideas of things to do. If the weather’s bad, borrow a film or have a movie marathon from the comfort of your home.

8. Widen your horizons

Go visit one of the 23 free museums in London. If you run out of local options, the Natural History, Science, and British Museums aren’t too far away. The main expense here is travel. If you choose to visit London on the train, children under five travel free with a fare-paying adult and children aged five to 15 get a 50% discount on most train fares. To save some cash, we recommend taking a picnic to enjoy in one of London’s many parks.

Here is a full list of free London museums.

9. Get beach ready

Make your way to the seaside! Don’t forget to take sun cream, swimwear, towels and a picnic. Again, travel costs are the main expense, but when you get there, it’s a cheap day out. You could go crabbing – there’s an initial cost of around £5 for the kit (bucket, net, and crab line) but hours of fun and great value for money because once you have the kit, you can go over and over again!

10.Stay at home

Failing all of the above, there’s plenty of things to do at home and in the garden. Try baking, making fruit kebabs, building a den or making a camp. You could learn to make playdough, go birdwatching, make a camp in the garden, start a jigsaw puzzle or host a family board games evening.