Half-term holidays: entertaining the kids on a budget

While it's a delight to have the little ones at home for a week or so in the half-term holidays (how could it not be?), trying to entertain them on a budget can be hard work for many parents.

With finances tight for many households, and parents all over the country taking steps to reduce their debt and improve their financial security, half-term can feel like an added burden on the purse strings of many mums and dads.

However, there are various ways you could ensure your kids burn off all that hyperactive energy - and not leave a hole in your pocket afterwards. A debt expert at Gregory Pennington comments: "You can keep the kids entertained this half-term without spending a fortune. Here are five ideas that are fun and affordable."

Half-term on a shoestring: our top tips

1.  Trips to the cinema can easily come with blockbuster prices: by the time you've paid for the tickets, drinks and popcorn, your wallet or purse is likely already feeling a lot lighter.

Instead, why not rent a film, get some multipacks of sweets and popcorn from the supermarket and invite some of your kids' friends round? It could even free up a bit of time for you to get some of the household jobs done - and their parents might return the favour later on. A win-win situation…

2.  Why not take a trip to the local museum? Most of them don't charge for general admission, and wandering around a few exhibitions could keep even the most distractible of kids entertained for hours. Just be prepared to answer questions about dinosaurs/trains/how aeroplanes work for a few days afterwards!

3.  The local library could provide an ideal place to let your kids roam free and explore their imaginations. A good book can open up kids' minds to both real and fantasy worlds - from British history to an old-fashioned fairytale - or simply let them enjoy getting lost in a good story. A perfect diversion for a rainy afternoon.

4.  Think about having a baking afternoon. If there are two things kids aren't likely to refuse, it's getting their hands messy and eating cake - and getting into the kitchen could provide an ideal opportunity to do both.

It doesn't have to cost a fortune: you could make something fun but simple, like chocolate cornflake cakes, using ingredients you already have in the cupboards - or you could even 'cheat' and buy pre-made cake mix to save the pennies / mess. Don't forget to reward yourself with a cake afterwards!

5.  You may decide it's a wise idea to cover every surface with cling film first (!), but painting is another great, affordable way of keeping the kids entertained. If you don't have any paint already, you could easily pick up a few different colours at a crafts shop for an affordable price, and then get started.

You never know - you may even have a mini Van Gogh in your midst…

These are just a few ideas for how to keep your offspring entertained over half-term without making a big dent in your budget. For more ideas, why not talk to fellow parents, or look online?

Daniel Culpan