Here are some great ideas of things to do with the kids at half-term that won't break the bank.
If you're looking for things to do with the children at half-term that won't cost a fortune, read on!
Halloween-themed fun
The first half-term of the school year falls over Halloween and so inevitably there are plenty of themed events going on.
Many of the National Trust's properties, for example, have an extensive line-up of spooky activities like the Pumpkin Fun Day at Trengwainton Garden and Ghost Stories at Penrose Estate.
Alternatively you can have Halloween-themed fun at home making costumes, telling ghost stories and playing games.
Go to the movies
Most kids love films and new releases like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Earth to Echo and The Book of Life are sure to entertain, but with some cinemas charging up to £9 per ticket it can be very expensive.
Vue Cinemas has a saver scheme called Kids AM where you can see children's films on Saturday and Sunday mornings and over the school holidays for just £1.75 per child. The accompanying adult pays the same price, while 3D films are £3. Meanwhile teens aged between 13 and 18 can 20% off the adult ticket price, though this offer applies all year round.
Most Odeon cinemas have Odeon Kids, which includes films on Saturday and Sunday mornings and over the school holidays, with prices starting from just £2.50 - adults pay the same price as the child.
Meanwhile, Cineworld runs Movies for Juniors at many of its cinemas on Saturday and Sunday mornings and during the mornings over the school holidays, where adults and children pay £1.50 a piece (or £3 for 3D movies). If you're a My Cineworld member, you'll only pay £1.35/£2.70 and no booking fee.
Find a free local event
If you fancy getting out of the house, but money is a real issue, there might be something going on near you that’s free to attend.
Bonfires and firework displays are plentiful at this time of year. Chances are your local park will put on a free display so keep an eye out for posters advertising date and time or take a look at your local council's website or your local newspaper (and its website).
Free-events.co.uk and Wherecanwego.com are great for finding brilliant free events right on your doorstep!
Also check out Enjoy England, Visit Scotland, Visit Wales and ni4kids.com to find local activities and attractions, plus loads of two-for-one offers.
The List has expanded beyond Scotland and now has a terrific kids' section encompassing events around the UK. If you live in or near London, Time Out has a great list of kids' activities on its website.
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Get creative
You can have loads of fun making things.
Visit Britain has a great list of free art galleries on its website that are sure to be holding some affordable or free workshops. At the National Portrait Gallery for example there are various sessions on during the holidays including one on making puppets and another making a hand-printed book cover.
Elsewhere at some B&Q stores there are Kids Can Do It classes run on the weekends and during the week over the school holidays for those aged 7-11 where children can learn basic DIY skills. These normally cost £5 but you can get them free if you join the free B&Q Club.
And at Ikea locations around the country there are free half-term activities like face painting, craft workshops and lamp shade decorating.
Don’t forget to check out your local council’s website for details of any creative activities being put on for families over the half term too!
Do something educational
Don’t rule out that museum in town you've probably ignored for years – most hold activities or exhibitions that children find fascinating.
If you want to visit the big hitters in London, most of which are free, Visit London has a guide. Meanwhile, National Museums Scotland has a list of family activities at its museums on its website.
The Natural History Museum, for example, is offering free tickets to its Dinosaur gallery during the school holidays.
Visit Britain also has a great list of free museums on its website.
Get active
If you’ve got a budding David Beckham in the house, why not see if you can sign him (or her) up for some free football coaching with the Tesco Holiday Skills Sessions (in England only, sadly).
Or you could take them to the free National Football Museum in Manchester, where for a small fee you can also try challenges like scoring a penalty at Wembley.
There’s also free tennis two-hour coaching sessions available nationwide. See if there are any near you on the Tennis For Free website.
If you live in Wales, children 16 and under can go to your local swimming pool for free during the school holidays – there's more details at the Sport Wales website. Some local councils in England and Scotland also offer free swimming – check your local council's website to see if it's one of them.
In fact, even if you're not up for a swim, it's a good idea to check out your local council’s website anyway as many will be running reasonably priced half-term sports courses.
Try a bus or train adventure
While it may sound dull to you, young kids that travel mostly by car find bus or train journeys unbelievably exciting.
If you live somewhere (such as London) where kids under 11 can travel by bus for free this can be a very reasonable day out.
Pack some lunch, drinks and snacks, hop on a bus and buy an adult daysaver ticket – you can choose to hop on and off as often as you like. If you pick up a route map (or print one off from your council’s website before you leave) you can all choose a few places to visit.
Energetic grannies and grandpas aged 60 or over and on babysitting duty could find this a good way to entertain as most are entitled to free bus travel anyway.
If you fancy hopping on the train, don't forget that children under the age of five travel for free. And if you're travelling in and around London or the South East, your train ticket can open up a host of two-for-one or money off offers via the Days Out Guide website at attractions and restaurants.
Cadbury’s World and Madame Tussauds are just a few of the attractions that are included.
Get lost in a book
Check out your local library as most will hold at least one storytelling and/or music session during half-term which, of course, is free (you may need to book in advance).
Let the kids choose some books while they’re there, use the free internet provided and hire a DVD or two and the morning or afternoon will fly by.
Don’t forget to check out your local bookshop as most are also geared up for half-term. Or browse a book swap site like readitswapit.co.uk or bookmooch.com and get some new books you can enjoy together for free.
Grab a cheap meal
Eating meals out can quickly add up over the holidays. But some restaurants offer to ease the pain for families.
At Slug and Lettuce for example kids can eat for £1 on Sundays when an adult dines from the main menu.
Meanwhile at Beefeater up to two kids can eat breakfast for free when one adult orders a full Premier Inn Breakfast. Alternatively one child can get a free meal every Saturday between 12pm and 5pm for each adult that gets a main meal (offer applies to up to six adults and six children in a party).
Or cook up a feast
A great activity that many kids love is cooking, so why not keep them busy in the kitchen?
Depending on how old they are you’ll have to be prepared for some serious mess, but it’ll be good fun. Check out the CBeebies site for recipe ideas for younger children.
If you’re really brave you could have a cooking party and invite some of your child’s friends to join in the fun. The lovefood website has some handy tips on children's cooking.