Half term can be a tricky time to keep the kids entertained, and lets face it can prove a costly time for parents! Here we have complied 14 family friendly activities on a budget! Hopefully making half term stress free this autumn!

1. Free Swim Safe Lessons (Ages 7-14)

Take your kids to your local swim safe lesson. Lessons are free and children can enjoy a fun, structured swimming session at a choice of open water locations and learn about how to stay safe in the water. The 60-minute session is run by qualified lifeguards and instructors, and is perfect for debuting your Robert &Son swim shorts! For more information click here.

2. Fruit Picking 

Fruit picking is a great way to encourage the kids to get out the house and explore your local area! It may be coming to the end of Blackberry season but we have found there's still plenty about! Try making a homemade crumble or jam for the whole family to enjoy. 

3. National Trust Trails

The National Trust have a whole host of trails to choose from! Most of these have bike trails which kids will love! Entry is normally free however to access the National Trust houses and gardens there is normally a fee if you are not a National Trust member. You can find more information about your local National Trust park here.

4. Stage a Play 

Encourage the kids to create their own play! Invite the grandparents round so they can perform for the whole family! Kids will love dressing up and bringing their imagination to life! Its also a great way to encourage confidence with public speaking. 

5. Geocaching

Geocaching is an outdoor activity where you or your family use a GPS device to hide and seek containers called 'geocaches' at specific locations all over the world. Simply download the app on the app store or google store to get started. Geocaching is a great way to encourage the kids to get some fresh air while also providing great exercise and teaching your kids how to use a GPS device and navigate themselves around. The app itself is free but it does have in-app purchases. This is ideal for little explorers! For more information or to download the app click here.

6. Cheap Cinema Showings For Kids

Going to the cinema with the whole family can cost a small fortune. But that doesn't have to be the case. ODEON offer a ODEON Kids screening where prices start from as little as £2.50 on Saturdays, Sundays and everyday in the school holidays. To find your local Kids screening click here. Vue also have a 'Vue Mini Morning Session' prices for both adults and children are £2.49 and are available on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 10 am and everyday in the school holidays. To find out about your local Vue Mini Morning showings click here.

7. Create Your Own Tornado

The perfect rainy day activity! All you need is a clear plastic bottle, water, glitter and some washing up liquid. Kids will love showing these of to their friends and its the perfect way to teach them about science and nature.To find out how to make your own click here. 

8. Decorate Your Own Halloween Cookies

Get the kids involved in some festive baking! Host a competition to see who can create the spookiest treats! For some of our favourite recipe inspiration click here.  If baking isn't your thing buy some Digestive biscuits and get the kids to decorate them with some colourful icing and sprinkles! They can even gift these to their friends and family as a special Halloween treat.

9. Rediscover Old Board Games

Another idea for a rainy day! Find an old board game you loved as a kid and show your own children how to play, its a great way to teach them about your own childhood and also the perfect way to bond as a whole family rather than the individual video games kids normally love.

10. Pumpkin Decorating

Decorate your own pumpkins either by carving or by letting the kids paint them their favourite colour or character. Host a competition with their friends to see who can make the most creative spooky pumpkin! For some decorating ideas click here.

11. Visit a Museum

Take a trip to the Science Museum or Natural History Museum, entry is free however there normally is a charge for special exhibits and attractions. Alternatively if London isn't on your doorstep take a trip to your local museum, its a great way to get the kids to learn more about the history of your local area.

12. Have a Picnic

A picnic is always like a great adventure for children! Cut sandwiches into different shapes such as stars or letters, this will make the children think its a special day out! Even if you only get as far as your garden its a nice change to the normal lunch time routine! It may be a little chilly but that's nothing a flask of hot chocolate wont fix. 

13. Make Your Own Comic Book

Buy some little sketch books from your local art shop and get the kids to make their own comic book. This is a great idea for any budding artist and perfect for letting their imaginations run wild. Let someone do the drawing and another fill in the speech bubbles it a great way to get the kids to work together to produce something they can show to everyone.

14. Build an Ice Castle

Find some ice cube trays and other small containers. Fill them with water and pop all of them in the freezer. When they’re solid, pop them all out and use them as building blocks for an ice castle.