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Days out and Activities on a budget in and around Hertford
Every where we go we hear people saying the same thing... they are broke and some how theyve got to entertain their children on a shoe string budget.
Not to worry we are here to help...
We've highlighted some of our favourite Free or Budget friendly activities locally (some slightly further afield) to help you out .
Most things are Free with everything under £10 (helpfully sorted into things that are FREE under £5 and under £10)
Tips for success
First things first you don't actually need to go out! There's much to be said for staying home with a DVD or Netflix or digging out that craft box or playing a family board game.
We know that going on a FREE ACTIVITY does not guarantee you will get away without spending any money , food, travel, parking they can all add up but here are our 5 top tips to spend less on family activities.
- Get the kids on board! Challenge them to get involved in the planning.
- Set expectations- explain to your children (if they are able to understand) that you are on a budget and that you wont be buying extras on the trip. Get them to agree to this BEFORE you leave.
- Food!! Food!! Food!! often the cost of eating out can cost us an arm and a leg so don't! Pack a packed lunch and get the children involved. They are more likely to eat what's been prepared if they have helped to make it. Be creative, cold pizza, pasta, soups can all be taken on picnics, we've even heard of hot dog sausages being transported in a flask of boiling water as well . Take drinks too, there's much to be said for a flask of hot chocolate in the park.
- Check parking costs before you leave- sometimes free activity's such as "The Gruffalo Trail" have car parking costs, be aware of these before you leave.
If you are going to an activity where activity packs are for sale, again these can add to the cost of your trip, prepare before you go. Pack your own notepads and pens perhaps make your own worksheet if you have time and explain to the children you wont be buying those as you have your own. Check out the amazing wonder den for free downloadable art packs .
Free activities this winter in and around Hertford
We all know that the cost of school Holidays can be a huge concern to most parents.
We do have an entire section dedicated to free or budget friendly ideas here too.
Between Christmas and New Year is a funny time of year, because we often are doing big events in the run up to Christmas then theres all the excitement of the big day and then afterwards every can feel just a little flat. But budgets are often tight post Christmas and big fancy days out are often off the cards .
So what can you do this time of year on a budget? Lets see if we can help with that.
Specific events still on post Christmas:
Probably one of the most expensive things to do on the list but having said that at just £8 a ticket or £28 for a family ticket we still think its well worth the money. What better way to battle those post xmas blues than the circus!
On the subject of that many of the local Christmas shows are still running post christmas, if you didn't manage to see one before Christmas and your budget will stretch post christmas is a lovely time.
Out and about:
Theres much to be said for a trip to a good old park so grab those bikes or scooters and a picnic and head off on an adventure.
Details for all of these and more can be found here.
Panshanger (keep an eye out for the fairy doors!)
Hartham Park
Lea valley Sculpture Trail
Cedars Park
Hatfield Forest
Ashridge estate
Stanborough Park
Church Farm, Ardeley
Slightly further afield
The Stickman Trail
The Gruffalo Trail
100 Akre Woods at Aldenham County Park
Ashridge estate
An activity we would also love to recommend for all ages is ð“–ð“®ð“¸ð“¬ð“ªð“¬ð“±ð“²ð“·ð“°. Its free to download and use the app and there are geocaches all around the local area, its a real life treasure hunt and lots of fun.
Museums and places of interest
The main one being Hertford Museum of course!
But there is also Bishop Stortford museum
Ware Museum
Tring Natural history Museum - prebooking required
Ware Museum
Please do check opening hours and days prior to travelling.
Budget friendly zoos, farms and nature reserves.
ð“’ð“®ð“ð“ªð“»ð“¼ ð“ð“ªð“½ð“¾ð“»ð“® ð“’ð“®ð“·ð“½ð“»ð“® is now reopen and a budget friendly just £2.40 pp. Take a picnic and you can easily spend the day there enjoying all the zoo has to offer with its many meet and greets and also enjoying the park and roaming in the open spaces and play trail.
RSPB Rye Meads Nature Reserve - Free entry but there is a parking charge.
Parndon woods - one of our favourites - we love the den building area!
ð“¦ð“ªð“·ð“½ ð“¼ð“¸ð“¶ð“® ð“¶ð“¸ð“»ð“® ð“²ð“ð“®ð“ªð“¼? You can filter our things to do category to find Free things to do locally here:
We hope you enjoy this article and that you find it useful. If we've missed anything off the list do feel free to let us know.
Thanks for reading
Kayleigh & The Boys
XxxX
