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...

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 . 

Low Cost activities this winter in and around Hertford

We all know that the cost of school Holidays can be a huge concern to most parents. 

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:

Festive arts and crafts at Rye Meads

Polar Bear Trail at Tring Museum

Christmas Yarn Trail in town

Cedars Nature Centre- just £2.40 and includes all of the below.

Kids for a quid at Mead Open Farm

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 Geocaching. 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

Lowewood Museum

Stevenage Museum 

Tring Natural history Museum  - prebooking required

Stockwood Discovery Centre

Ware Museum

Please do check opening hours and days prior to travelling. 

Budget friendly zoos, farms and nature reserves.

Cedars Nature Centre 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.

Pets corner Harlow - 

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