5 Free Or Cheap Half Term Ideas With Little Ones

Half term can feel like a juggling act, especially if you’ve got one child off school and another still in nursery, toddlerhood or naptime mode. You’re trying to balance days that feel special for the older one, without completely derailing routines, energy levels or budgets.

If that sounds familiar, these free and cheap half term ideas are designed to work around mixed ages, short outings and real life. No overplanning required.

1. Get Crafty At Home

Craft days are one of the easiest half term ideas to adapt for different ages. Set up a simple activity the older child can get stuck into, while the younger one joins in when they feel like it. Painting, sticking, colouring or seasonal crafts can easily stretch across the afternoon without needing constant supervision.

💡 Cubbi Tip: Stock up on affordable craft essentials with Hobbycraft. Cubbi members can unlock discounts on basics like paper pads, paints and colouring books, ideal for spreading activities across the week without overspending.

2. Library Visits For Easy Half Term Days

A local library is one of the most underrated half term ideas, particularly when you’re balancing different ages. It’s free, calm and flexible. Many libraries run story times, rhyme sessions or simple craft tables during school holidays. Even without organised sessions, browsing books together can easily fill an hour.

💡 Cubbi Tip: Let each child choose a book to take home. A short outing can turn into quiet, independent time later in the day, something many parents appreciate during half term.

3. Turn A Walk Into A Mini Adventure

You don’t need a full day out to keep children engaged. A short walk to the park or around your local area can quickly become an activity with a little creativity.

A simple scavenger hunt works well:

• Find something red

• Spot a leaf bigger than your hand

• Look for something round

  
  

💡 Cubbi Tip: Keep a scavenger hunt list saved on your phone so you can turn any walk into a half term activity with no prep.

4. Head Out For Breakfast Or Lunch

Not every half term plan needs to be activity-led. Sometimes getting out of the house for food is the activity.

💡 Cubbi Tip: New and expecting parents can get free tea or coffee at Boston Tea Party on Cubbi, making it an easy, low-pressure option for breakfast or lunch. You can also unlock 90 days free with tastecard, giving access to 2-for-1 meals at loads of family-favourite restaurants.

5. Make Mealtimes Part Of The Plan

When you’re spending more time at home during the holidays, meals can double up as an activity. Letting children help choose recipes, prepare ingredients or build their own plates helps break up the day without extra cost.

💡 Cubbi Tip: Cubbi discounts on Gousto and HelloFresh can make midweek meals quicker, easier and more affordable during half term.

Planning A Bigger Half Term Day Out?

If you are planning a bigger day out during the holidays, Cubbi members can unlock discounts on popular family attractions including:

• Chessington World of Adventures

• LEGOLAND Windsor

• Twycross Zoo…and many more.

  
  

Half term doesn’t need to be packed with plans. A handful of flexible, low-cost half term ideas, combined with the right savings, can make the week feel manageable without overspending!