With the gorgeous weather we’ve had over the last few days, I suspect all of us who are off work over the Easter Bank Holiday are looking forward to a well earned break. But, when living to a strict budget, the question has to be asked, how easy is it to spend four days off work, and spend as little as possible – particularly if you have kids and can’t stay home watching re-runs of 24?

Well….as a full time working mum, I thought it was time to put fingers to keyboard and share my own thoughts on this subject.

With my own two year old in tow, staying at home for four days is definitely not an option for us, and I certainly wouldn’t advocate going to any shopping centres – the temptation of buying a new summer wardrobe is far too high and the thought of a bored toddler screaming at me to go somewhere and play makes me go red instantly. So what to do?

Currently, along with the local Parks which are all free, a favourite of mine at the moment are farms – there are some great farms which are brilliant for children and adults alike. For those living in the North West – Reddish Vale Farm is currently my number one choice – just £3.50 for adults, £2.50 for children and under 3’s go free. The farm has hoards of animals to see, from Peppa Pig’s cousins, to Iggle Piggle and Daisy – the resident Alpacas. The farm also hosts a picnic area, bouncy castle, play area and eatery. And to make the adventure complete, you can buy a bucket of carrots for 50p to feed the animals with.

Another favourite of mine is Monkey Forrest near Stoke. Slightly more expensive than a farm, this is £7.00 for adults, £5.00 for children and FREE for the under 3’s. Monkey forest is set in 60 acres of stunning woodland where 140 monkeys live in total freedom. Walking along the footpath trail in the forest, you can see the delights of monkeys in their natural habitat. Once inside, although there is a café, you can save the pennies by taking your own picnic and eating in their designated picnic area. Monkey Forrest is also located next to Trentham Estate which offers its own gardens, play area and village.

It’s also worth seeing what’s on at your nearest National Trust location too. This year some of them have set up special “Easter Egg Trails” full of fun Easter activities. Prices vary per location so it’s worth having a browse to see which location matches your budget. Click here to go the Easter Egg Trail Website and to find a trail near you.
If you’ve got a creative streak why not set up an Easter Egg Hunt of your own?
And if the above doesn’t appeal, now is the perfect time to dust off the old tennis racket or dig out that frisbee and head to your local park. Even better, why not get a group of friends together and get a game going.

Your local council will also have a listing of free events in your area, which you can find listed on their websites. Find your local council website here.

We hope you’ve found these ideas useful and if you have any ideas of your own to share leave a comment below!