Ways to save over the summer holidays

For parents, there are two sides to the summer holidays. On the plus side, you get to spend more time with the kids; on the other side, the cost of keeping them entertained can add up very quickly.

However, the summer holidays don`t have to cost your entire summer`s wages. There are plenty of entertaining things you and your family can do at little or no cost. Here`s our guide to getting through the rest of the summer holiday with your wallet/purse intact.

1 Take a `stay-cation`

We all like a holiday on sunnier shores, but that can be expensive - and even more so when you`re taking kids along. It`s not just the journey and hotel that cost more: for each additional person, you`ll have one more person to pay for on any meal or trip while you`re out there.

Staying in the same country for your holiday can provide a great deal of fun at a fraction of the cost. Travel and accommodation are often a lot cheaper than holidaying abroad, and you`ll have the opportunity to visit places that would normally be too far away for a day trip - many of which are free (more on this later).

2 Picnics

When the whole family is at home, it may seem easier just to order in a takeaway or go out to restaurants than to cook every day. But this is rarely cost effective, and can cost many times as much as simply making your own food.

Picnics are a great way of keeping people entertained while saving money. The food is cheap, and it`s quick and easy to make - you could even get the kids involved.

3 Visit the countryside

There are several advantages to visiting the countryside: it`s free, it`s fun, and there`s plenty of it. It needn`t cost you any more than the cost of a car/train/bus journey, and there`s plenty to see and do.

Whether you enjoy long walks, mountain rambles or simply sitting back and enjoying the scenery, the great outdoors has plenty to offer.

4 Museums and art galleries

Some museums and art galleries charge for entry, but a great many are completely free.

Whatever you and your family are interested in - whether it`s science, natural history, modern art or anything else - you can be sure you`ll find enough to keep the whole family happy.

5 Fun at home

If you`re feeling particularly thrifty, there`s plenty you can do without even leaving the house. If the weather`s nice, you could get involved in a spot of gardening (everyone knows kids love getting their hands dirty). Failing that, many supermarkets and other shops sell a range of cheap garden games that make a change from the usual indoor activities. And even if the weather`s not so great, there`s no harm in pulling out the occasional board game.

You won`t be able to keep everyone entertained every day this way - but it`s a good way of enjoying your time together when you`re trying to keep costs to a minimum.

6 Go on bike rides

Providing you already have the equipment, then going out on family bike rides can provide you with plenty of fun days out without spending a penny (unless, of course, you want to drive a little further out to begin with - which still shouldn`t cost much).

Kids will enjoy the feeling of freedom, and the whole family can keep fit at the same time. Try tying it in with your visits to the countryside (see point three) for a great day out.

7 Take up a (cheap) hobby

Taking up a hobby is a great way of passing the time - whether it`s just for the kids or the whole family - and it doesn`t need to cost very much.

A few examples:

Painting - won`t cost any more than a few small pots of paint and a few pieces of paper, and it can keep kids entertained for hours. Just watch out for the mess!

Sports - a football or a pair of tennis rackets can be bought fairly cheaply, and most kids will happily spend an afternoon emulating their sporting heroes. If you want to take it to the next level, you could even sign them up for a club, which shouldn`t cost too much on a weekly basis.

Cooking - teaching your kids to cook a few simple recipes will give them skills for life, and it doesn`t have to be expensive. Ingredients for something simple, like a cake, will cost you next to nothing.