5 EASY AND CHEAP THINGS TO DO ON MAT LEAVE

Parental leave doesn’t have to mean staying indoors staring at the same four walls. With a bit of creativity (and a few well-placed discounts), you can fill your days with things that feel good and keep the budget firmly in check. Here are five simple ways to make the most of those precious months without overspending.

1. COFFEE CATCH-UPS THAT FEEL LIKE THERAPY

A slow morning with a hot drink and a friend is sometimes all you need to reset after a night of broken sleep. It’s low effort, low cost and does wonders for your sanity.

💡 Cubbi Tip: Fuel the catch-up with a free coffee from Boston Tea Party. Claim it on Cubbi and swap the £4 caffeine guilt for a little win that starts the day right.

2. LONG WALKS TO CLEAR THE BABY FOG

Fresh air, a change of scenery, pram naps… the holy trinity of a peaceful mat leave afternoon. Walking is free, regulates your mood, and helps your baby sleep (sometimes better than anything else does). There's also some amazing local Mum's walking groups if you're looking for a tribe to keep you company!

💡 Cubbi Tip: Make exploring easy with an all terrain travel system. Ickle Bubba is built for smooth rides and long rambles. Check Cubbi for savings that help keep big-ticket spends in budget.

3. LUNCH OUT WITHOUT THE PRICE TAG

A midday meal is often less stressful with a little one than a busy evening booking. Make the most of lunchtime deals and kids eat free savings, so you can enjoy a treat without blowing the weekly budget.

💡 Cubbi Tip: Use Tastecard via Cubbi to score discounts at your favourite local restaurants — yes, even the fancy ones you thought were off-limits on mat leave.

4. HOME DAYS FOR WHEN YOU JUST CAN’T FACE GOING OUT

If you honestly can’t stomach making it outside today, home can still be fun. Babies are fascinated by anything new; a different corner of the living room, a makeshift playmat, a few toys on rotation. And you get the comfort of doing it all in pyjamas.

💡 Cubbi Tip: To make tummy time or floor play feel fresh, save on Natural Baby Shower toys through Cubbi. A couple of well-chosen bits can keep little ones busy while you grab a moment to breathe.

5. FREE CLASSES, COMMUNITY EVENTS & LOCAL SPACES

Libraries, children’s centres and even local churches often run free or low-cost baby groups. They’re brilliant for building routine, meeting others and breaking up the day, especially when you’re craving structure but don’t want to spend money.

💡 Cubbi Tip: Boston Tea Party host loads of community classes, making them an easy go-to for low-cost days out — and you can grab your free coffee on Cubbi afterwards as the perfect little treat.

If you're trying to make mat leave feel more fun without the financial stress, Cubbi puts the best discounts for new parents all in one place: from free coffees to big savings on essentials. Start saving today with Cubbi and stretch your mat leave budget further.