Written 18.10.10

 

Parents often dread half term holidays as it means having to entertain the kids for a week and that can be expensive.

Here are 5 ways to survive the autumn half term on a budget. 

 

Get Crafty

Crafts are a great way to spend a morning or afternoon and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Firstly make the most of what you’ve got at home. Cut out pictures from magazines or newspapers to make collages. Make a castle from old cereal boxes and empty toilet roll tubes and decorate with paint. Get a BaBeeCard and join their Discount club and you can get 10% discount from Craft4Kids.

 

Love your library

Join your local library and make the most of their facilities. Both you and your child can have your own library card. You don’t have to get story books, you could get some craft or cookery books to give you inspiration for your next project or hire a DVD or talking book. Check to see if your local library has any free events happening over the half term holiday.

 

Indoor Picnic

Just because the weather is bad outside doesn’t mean you cannot have a picnic just have it indoors. Lay a blanket down and have your lunch together on the floor. Why not get your child to help prepare the picnic with you even if it just putting the napkins down or filling a bowl with crisps or fruit.

 

Make A Half Term Photo Album

Make a record of your half term holiday and create a photo album. Let your child take pictures of all the activities you are doing then print them all and place into a photo album. If you are happy for your child to use your camera that’s great but if you are worried they may break it then buy them an inexpensive disposable camera. Why not buy a scrapbook so they can stick the photos in themselves and write about their week.

 

Pizza Party 

Make homemade pizzas together, you could even invite their friends over and have a pizza party. You can either make your own pizza dough; buy a mix or a readymade base.  All you need is a selection of toppings, some tomato puree for the base and some grated cheese and let them get creative.

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