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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 they've 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 this half term(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 Summer in and around Hertford
We all know that the cost of school Holidays can be a huge concern to most parents.
Budget friendly Ideas this Half Term
£5 and Under
Childrens Summer Trail (FREE) - Hertford Town tourist and information centre
Rock at the Castle (FREE) - Hertford Castle
Hertford Play Day (FREE) - Hertford Castle
My Pet Pals - Free workshops in Hertford
Drop in arts at Crafts at Hertford Museum
Family Archaeology Day (FREE) - Ware Museum
Summer Gala - East Herts Miniature Railway
Sat-ART-day (FREE Art Activities) (FREE) - Art + Design Gallery
Hertford Heath Summer Fayre (FREE) - Village Green
Films for a fiver + zebra discount - Campus west cinema
Children's Craft Café (Age 3-7) – Summer Holiday Workshops - Southern Maltings
School Holiday Activity – Archery (FREE) - Ware Priory
School Holiday Activity – climbing wall (FREE) - Ware Priory
School Holiday Activity – water wars (FREE) - Ware Priory
School Holiday Activity – Bungee trampolines (FREE) - Ware Priory
Pokemon day at Cedars Nature Centre - Cedars Nature Centre
School Holiday Activity – Crazy Golf (FREE) - Ware Priory
Meet Bluey at Cedars Nature Centre - Cedars Nature Centre
Julia Donaldson Fun Day at Ware Library (FREE) - Ware Library
School Holiday Activity –Multi Sports (FREE) - Ware Priory
Clay Crafts with Donna Reeves (FREE) - Fletchers Lea
Summer Events at Lowewood Museum (FREE) - Lowewood Museum
North Weald & District Miniature Railway
Game On! The Evolution Of Video Games - Stockwood Discovery Centre
Under £10 pp
Hertford Castle Open Air Cinema - Hertford Castle
Model Railway Event - Mill Green Museum
Van Hage Summer Circus - Van Hage Garden Centre
Royal Gunpowder Mills Open Day - Royal Gunpowder Mills
Tewinbury Family Farm Festival
Out and about:
Theres much to be said for a trip to a good old park so grab those bikes or scooters, suncream, hats 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! Who run fantastic drop in arts and crafts over half term.
But there is also Bishop Stortford museum
Ware Museum
Tring Natural history Museum - prebooking required
Budget friendly zoos, farms and nature reserves.
Cedars Nature Centre is 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!
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
