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fostering; summer holiday entertaining on a budget

  • Writer: Jeni
    Jeni
  • Jul 28
  • 2 min read

The summer holidays can be a magical time where lots of memories are made in fostering families. But it can be tricky to fill the time when you don't have an unlimited budget - which most families don't! Some of the most special summer memories can be of the simplest activities where children get absorbed in play and feel carefree. Here are some ideas for activities that are free or low cost:


  • Visit a beach or lake and take a picnic.

  • Go on a walk and create or download a scavenger hunt list.

  • Meet friends at the park and take a picnic.

  • Set up a paddling pool in the garden on a hot day and provide cups and plastic boxes for a water fight!

  • Child in a pink swimsuit and child in black play and laugh in a small inflatable pool filled with water. Indoor setting, joyful mood.

  • Encourage your child to create a 'boredom box' where they put in it things they enjoy doing, books, and toys they haven't played with for a while. Then when they are bored they can choose something from their box to play with. Encourage them to decorate their box to make it feel special and novel, even if the items inside are from their room. If you can afford it, buy one thing to add to the box that is a new toy, activity, or book.

  • Go to your local library and participate in the Summer Reading Challenge.

  • Put up a tent in your garden for some camping sleepovers and also a place to play or read quietly in the day. Or put a pop up tent up inside and make a den or reading nook.

  • Child smiling while reading a red book, lying on a bed with a stuffed bear, in a cozy, white background setting.

  • Do some arts and crafts, there are lots of ideas and tutorials on Youtube and other websites.

  • Do some baking and choose receipes that are simple (you can save money making your own ice pops with squash and fresh fruit, as well!).

  • Do some gardening and plant some seeds.

  • Elderly man and child gardening, inspecting plants with smiles. Woman tends plants in background. Sunny day, green foliage, blue sky.

  • Take the chance to go through the child or young person's clothes with them and recycle or take to charity anything that no longer fits. It's a great opportunity to teach them about recycling and not throwing things away that can be used by someone else.

  • Young girl smiling, holding a box with clothing. Group of people in background. Outdoor setting, casual attire, cheerful mood.

  • Let them set up a den in the lounge.

  • On a rainy day, have a movie marathon with homemade popcorn and snacks.

  • Visit a National Trust park.

  • Use Tesco Clubcard vouchers and/or look out for deals to make a day out to a zoo or theme park affordable.

  • Go to a Pick Your Own fruit and veg place, if there's one near you.

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