We’re halfway through the summer holidays already, and for many families, this is the point where the financial pressure starts to creep in.

Days out can quickly become expensive. Entry fees, parking, food, drinks and ice creams can turn what was supposed to be a simple family day into a surprisingly costly one.

When the budget is getting tighter, it can be tempting to stay at home.

But children don’t need an expensive day out to have an adventure.

Sometimes, all they need is somewhere new to explore.

🌳 You don't have to go far

One of the easiest ways to make a day feel exciting is simply to change your surroundings.

Find a park you've never visited before. Try a different playground. Look for a local splash park while the weather is warm, or head into the woods if you're looking for somewhere cooler and shady.

For young children especially, the novelty of somewhere new can be more than enough.

You could even make it part of the excitement by telling them:

"We're going somewhere we've never been before today!"

It doesn't have to be far away. Sometimes a different park just a few miles from home can feel like a whole new adventure.

⚽ Always take a ball

One of my favourite little tips for getting more play out of a day outdoors is incredibly simple:

Always have a ball with you.

A ball takes up very little space but can provide hours of entertainment.

Toddlers can practise kicking, throwing and catching, while older children can play football, make up their own games or simply chase the ball around.

You'll also be surprised how many opportunities you find to use one when you're out and about.

You don't need expensive toys or activities. A simple ball can turn an ordinary open space into somewhere to play.

🚲 Make getting there part of the adventure

If you're staying fairly local, why not leave the car at home?

Walking, cycling or taking scooters can turn the journey itself into part of the day's adventure.

For younger children, even taking a route you don't normally use can be exciting. Look for interesting trees, flowers, birds, insects and other things along the way.

You could make up little challenges as you go:

Who can spot the first butterfly?

How many different coloured flowers can you find?

Can you find three different types of leaves?

Suddenly, you're not just walking somewhere. You're exploring.

🚌 Explore somewhere further away

If you want to venture a little further from home, public transport can be a great way to turn the journey into part of the experience.

During August 2026, children aged 5-15 can travel free on participating local bus services in England as part of the Government's Great British Summer Savings scheme. Children under 5 already travel free on the main bus operators.

Always check the specific operator and route before travelling, as the August scheme applies to participating services.

Even without a special offer, travelling by bus can sometimes be an inexpensive way to discover somewhere new - and for younger children, simply getting on a bus can feel like an adventure in itself.

🥪 Pack your own picnic

One of the easiest ways to keep the cost of a day out down is to take your own food and drinks.

Fill up your water bottles, pack some sandwiches, fruit and snacks, and you've got lunch sorted.

It doesn't need to be an elaborate picnic either.

A sandwich eaten on a park bench, a blanket under a tree or lunch halfway through a woodland walk can feel much more exciting to a child than eating the same food at home.

Taking your own food also means you're less likely to be tempted by expensive cafés, restaurants and snack stops while you're out.

🌲 Discover the woods

If the weather is particularly warm, look for somewhere with plenty of shade.

Woodlands can be fantastic places for children to explore. Look for bugs, fallen leaves, birds, interesting sticks or unusual trees, or simply let the children run around and see what they discover.

You could turn your walk into a simple nature hunt:

🌿 Find a leaf bigger than your hand
🐦 Spot a bird
🪵 Find an interesting fallen branch
🐜 Find an insect
🌸 Find a flower
🪨 Find a stone with an unusual shape

You don't need a printed activity sheet. Just make up your own challenges as you go.

💦 Make the most of the sunshine

When the weather is warm, splash parks and paddling areas can be brilliant low-cost alternatives to expensive attractions.

Take swimsuits, towels, plenty of water and whatever else you need for a few hours of outdoor water play.

For a toddler, running through fountains or splashing in water can feel every bit as exciting as a much more expensive day out.

Just remember the essentials such as sun cream, hats and regular drinks on hot days.

💡 Spending less doesn't mean having less fun

Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that spending less doesn't mean having less fun.

Children don't know how much you spent on their day.

They remember running through the water.

They remember finding a huge stick in the woods.

They remember kicking a ball around.

They remember getting on a bus and going somewhere they've never been.

They remember the picnic.

Most importantly, they remember the time they spent exploring and playing with you.

Those simple experiences are exactly what make childhood special - and they're a wonderful way to create more opportunities for screen-free play.

🎒 Our simple outdoor adventure checklist

Before you head out, grab:

☑️ Water bottles
☑️ Packed lunch and snacks
☑️ A ball
☑️ Sun cream
☑️ Hats
☑️ Spare clothes
☑️ Towels if you're heading somewhere with water
☑️ Scooters or bikes if appropriate
☑️ A bag for rubbish
☑️ A sense of adventure!

You really don't need to spend a fortune.

Pick somewhere you've never been, pack a picnic, grab a ball and go.

The rest of the summer holidays doesn't have to be filled with expensive days out. Some of the best memories can come from the simplest adventures.

So why not leave the screens at home, step outside and discover somewhere new? 🌳❤️