With the Easter holidays underway, parents will be looking for fun activities and day trips that won't break the bank.
There are plenty of options available for parents to make the most of the school holidays. So what day trips can you organise that won't cost a penny?
A day in the park
With temperatures starting to rise and the sun starting to come out more often, the Easter holidays are the perfect time to get summer started early.
There's no better way to enjoy the great outdoors and hopefully, milder weather than with a day in the park. Bring a picnic, plenty of activities/sports equipment and make the most of being outdoors.
A day outdoors is far better for your children than being cooped up at home watching TV. You can even invite their friends to make it a really special day.
Visit a museum
Many museums are free for children, so take advantage of the opportunity to continue your child's development while they're away from school.
Most museums now target children in their exhibits, doing as much as possible to make learning fun and interesting for them through dedicated children's areas and interactive learning.
Visit the seaside
The sea might still be close to freezing, but the seaside can be a great day out for both you and your children.
There is nothing quite like a seaside town, for a change of scenery, puddles and pools to splash in and maybe somewhere pretty to eat your picnic. Don't forget to pack everyone's welly boots and a change of clothes!
A woodland performance
Many children love exploring mysterious places, such as woodlands, where their imagination can run wild. Why not ask your children to write and plan a play set in the woods?
An initial trip to the woods to help them imagine the setting will help with writing scripts. Once they have put their creative writing skills to good use, you could then return for the grand performance in the atmosphere and shelter of the woodland around you.
Classic garden games
If the weather is kind to you over the holiday period, don't forget the classic garden games that you used to love as a child.
Simple bat and ball games are free (other than the purchase of the equipment that you can use for years to come), give children a reason to enjoy the fresh air, provide exercise and enable children to work as a team.