30-Day Summer Holiday Planner: Keep Kids Entertained for Less

Easy summer holiday activities, cheap family days out and rainy-day ideas for parents

The summer holidays can be one of the loveliest times of the year for families.

There are no school runs to rush through, the days feel longer, children have more time to play, and parents finally get the chance to plan proper family memories together.

But after the first few days, the reality of the school holidays can start to feel a little different.

• Children get bored faster than expected.
• The weather changes without warning.
• Snack requests never seem to stop.
• Rainy days need a back-up plan.
• Sunny days need somewhere safe and easy to go.
• And every family day out can quickly start to add up once you include tickets, fuel, parking, food, drinks and ice creams.

That is when many parents start searching for things to do with kids in the summer holidays that are fun, realistic and affordable.

The good news is that summer does not need to be filled with expensive attractions or big days out every week.

A balanced summer holiday plan works best when it includes a mix of free local activities, low-cost family days out, rainy-day ideas, outdoor adventures, cinema trips, library visits, home activities, simple meal planning and a few special days to look forward to.

This 30-day summer holiday planner is designed to help parents plan easy, flexible and affordable activities across the school holidays.

30 summer holiday activities for kids

Here is a simple 30-day summer holiday planner you can use throughout the school holidays. You can follow it day by day, or simply pick the ideas that work best for your family.

Day 1: Make a summer holiday wish list

Start the holidays by asking the kids what they would love to do.

Let them choose:

• one free activity
• one rainy-day idea
• one outdoor day
• one food treat
• one bigger day out
• one thing they want to make
• one place they want to visit

This gives you an easy list to use when everyone says, “I’m bored.” It also helps children feel involved in the planning, which can make simple activities feel more exciting.

Day 2: Visit a new local park

Choose a park you do not usually visit and make it feel like a mini adventure.

Take snacks, water bottles, a football, bubbles, scooters or a picnic blanket, and let the kids explore somewhere different without spending much.

Search for:

• parks near me
• playgrounds near me
• picnic spots near me
• things to do with kids near me

A new park can feel like a proper day out, even if it is close to home.

Day 3: Plan a picnic day

A picnic is one of the easiest cheap family days out.

Pack sandwiches, fruit, crisps, drinks and a blanket, then head to a park, beach, country park, garden or even your own outdoor space.

To make it more fun, let children help choose the picnic food or create a small menu.

Picnic days are especially useful when you want to avoid the cost of cafés, restaurants and attraction food.

Day 4: Go to the library

Libraries are brilliant for free summer holiday activities.

Children can borrow books, join a summer reading challenge, look for free events and enjoy a calm indoor activity on hot or rainy days.

You can also combine a library visit with:

• a park stop
• a café treat
• a picnic
• a walk into town
• a quiet afternoon at home reading

Parent tip: make library day a weekly summer habit so you always have something free and easy to do.

Day 5: Try a summer reading challenge

Create a simple reading chart at home or join your local library’s summer reading challenge.

Children can tick off books, add stickers or earn small rewards when they reach a reading goal.

You could also make it more relaxed by choosing:

• bedtime stories
• picture books
• comics
• audiobooks
• joke books
• fact books
• books about animals, sport, space or dinosaurs

The goal is not to make summer feel like school. It is to keep reading fun.

Day 6: Visit a free museum

Many UK museums are free to enter and make great rainy-day or heatwave activities.

Look for:

• children’s trails
• interactive displays
• dinosaurs
• science exhibits
• transport museums
• art galleries
• local history displays
• family workshops

A museum day does not need to be long. For younger children, a shorter visit with one or two favourite sections can work better than trying to see everything.

Day 7: Create a rainy-day craft box

A rainy-day craft box can save the day when plans change.

Fill a box with:

• paper
• colouring pencils
• glue
• stickers
• cardboard
• activity sheets
• recycled packaging
• tape
• child-safe scissors
• puzzle books

Keep the box ready so rainy days feel less stressful.

Day 8: Have a home cinema afternoon

A home cinema afternoon is a low-cost way to make a quiet day feel special.

Choose a film, make popcorn, close the curtains and let the kids create homemade tickets.

You can add:

• blankets
• pyjamas
• interval snacks
• a film vote
• homemade posters
• a “cinema menu”
• a family film review afterwards

This is perfect after a busy day out or when everyone needs a slower afternoon.

Day 9: Go bowling

Bowling works well for mixed ages, rainy days and family competition.

It is also a good option when children need something active but outdoor plans are not working.

Make it more fun with simple challenges:

• funniest bowling pose
• best celebration
• grown-ups vs kids
• first strike wins a prize
• lowest score chooses the next snack

Check Kids Pass before booking to see whether current bowling offers are available.

Offers and participating venues can vary.

Day 10: Try mini golf

Mini golf is a fun summer holiday activity for kids and works well for a relaxed family day out.

Choose a themed course and turn it into a family challenge.

It works well for:

• rainy days
• mixed-age siblings
• grandparents joining in
• a low-energy day out
• a treat before or after a family meal

Parent tip: book ahead during school holidays, especially at weekends.

Day 11: Visit a soft play centre

Soft play is useful for younger children who need to burn off energy indoors.

It can also be a good back-up plan for wet weather, hot days or mornings when parents need something easy and contained.

Before going, check:

• session times
• age areas
• food rules
• parking
• booking requirements
• socks rules
• whether adults need to pay

Soft play can be especially helpful when you have toddlers or younger children who need movement but not a full day out.

Day 12: Plan a cheap cinema trip

Cinema days are perfect for rainy afternoons, hot days or quieter moments in the school holidays.

To keep costs down, try:

• off-peak screenings
• family screenings
• eating before you go
• taking snacks where allowed
• choosing one cinema trip as a weekly treat
• checking Kids Pass cinema savings before booking

Cinema trips are also useful when children need a break from busy outdoor activities.

Check the latest Kids Pass cinema offers before booking, as participating cinemas and savings can vary.

Day 13: Go swimming

Swimming is a classic summer holiday activity.

A local swimming pool, leisure centre, lido or splash session can help children stay active and cool down.

Before you go, check:

• family swim times
• booking rules
• child-to-adult ratios
• age restrictions
• changing facilities
• parking
• whether floats or armbands are allowed

Swimming can be tiring, so plan a simple meal or quiet afternoon afterwards.

Day 14: Visit a splash park

Splash parks are ideal on warm summer days.

Children can cool down, move around and enjoy water play without needing a full beach trip or expensive day out.

Before you travel, check:

• opening dates
• session times
• booking rules
• toilet facilities
• shaded areas
• parking
• whether water shoes are needed
• whether towels and spare clothes are needed

Parent tip: pack dry clothes in a separate waterproof bag so the rest of your day-out bag stays dry.

Day 15: Try a woodland walk

Forests and woodland trails are great for shaded summer adventures.

Take snacks, water and a simple nature checklist so children can look for:

• leaves
• bugs
• flowers
• animal tracks
• pine cones
• interesting trees
• butterflies

A woodland walk can feel cooler than open spaces on hot days, and it gives children a chance to explore without spending much.

Day 16: Make a nature scavenger hunt

A scavenger hunt turns a simple walk into a proper activity.

Ask children to find:

• something yellow
• something round
• something soft
• something with wings
• something that makes them smile
• something tiny
• something noisy
• something that feels like summer

You can do this in a park, garden, forest, beach, town centre or even on the walk to the shops.

For younger children, keep the list short. For older children, add photo challenges.

Day 17: Have a garden sports day

Create simple games at home or in a local park.

Try:

• egg and spoon race
• beanbag toss
• football penalties
• skipping challenge
• scooter race
• obstacle course
• hula hoop challenge
• water cup relay
• target throwing
• long jump with chalk marks

Give children a scorecard and let them design medals or certificates.

This is a great free activity for days when you want children to burn off energy without booking anything.

Day 18: Plan a beach or lakeside day

A beach, lake or riverside day can feel like a proper summer treat.

Pack:

• towels
• spare clothes
• sun cream
• hats
• water
• picnic
• wet bag
• change for parking
• buckets and spades

Before travelling, check weather, parking, toilets, tide times if visiting the coast and any water safety guidance.

A packed lunch can help keep the day more affordable.

Day 19: Visit a farm park

Farm parks are great for younger children, animal lovers and families who want a mix of outdoor play, animals, cafés and picnic areas.

Look for:

• animal talks
• feeding times
• tractor rides
• indoor barns
• play areas
• picnic spaces
• cafés
• wet-weather areas

Check opening times and booking rules before travelling.

Farm parks can be a good middle option between a free local day and a bigger attraction day.

Day 20: Visit a zoo or wildlife park

A zoo or wildlife park can be one of your bigger summer holiday days out.

To make the most of the day, check:

• animal talks
• feeding times
• play areas
• shaded routes
• indoor areas
• picnic spots
• parking
• buggy access
• food options

Plan your route around your children’s energy, not just the map.

You do not need to see everything for the day to feel successful.

Day 21: Book one bigger family attraction

Choose one bigger treat, such as a theme park, aquarium, adventure park, waterpark or family attraction.

Before booking, check:

• ticket prices
• travel time
• parking costs
• food options
• whether you can take a packed lunch
• indoor and outdoor areas
• age suitability
• height restrictions
• rainy-day options
• available Kids Pass offers

Bigger family days out feel easier when travel, food and costs are planned in advance.

Day 22: Make homemade ice lollies

Homemade ice lollies are simple, cheap and perfect for warm summer days.

You can use:

• fruit juice
• yoghurt
• smoothies
• chopped fruit
• berries
• squash

Children can help choose the flavours, pour the mixture and check them once frozen.

This is a small home activity that still feels like a summer treat.

Day 23: Create a summer memory jar

A summer memory jar is a simple activity that helps children notice the best moments of the holidays.

Find an empty jar, box or envelope and ask everyone to write down small memories from the summer so far.

Ideas could include:

• the funniest thing that happened
• a favourite place visited
• a new thing they tried
• something they felt proud of
• someone they spent time with
• a day they would like to do again

Fold the notes and add them to the jar throughout the holidays.

At the end of summer, open the jar together and read them back as a family.

This is a lovely low-cost activity that helps children remember the summer for more than just the big days out.

Day 24: Have a family cooking day

Let children help make lunch, snacks or dinner.

Easy family cooking ideas include:

• pasta salad
• fruit kebabs
• cupcakes
• pancakes
• smoothies
• homemade sandwiches
• picnic boxes
• baked potatoes
• simple biscuits

Use the food for a picnic, home cinema afternoon or garden tea.

Cooking days are especially useful when you want an activity that also helps with meals.

Day 25: Invite a friend or cousin over

Not every summer activity needs to be a day out.

Invite someone over for:

• garden games
• crafts
• baking
• film afternoon
• water play
• picnic
• board games
• scooter ride
• playground trip
• Lego challenge

Children often need company more than expensive entertainment.

Keep it simple and choose one or two activities rather than planning a full party.

Day 26: Plan a playground trail

Choose two or three playgrounds nearby and visit them in one day.

Let the kids rate each one for:

• slides
• swings
• climbing frames
• picnic spots
• space to run
• shade
• overall fun

You can turn it into a simple scorecard and crown the best playground at the end.

This makes a free local activity feel more like an adventure.

Day 27: Visit a local town or market

Explore somewhere close to home that you do not usually visit.

Walk around the town, browse the market, visit a local café, find a park or look for a free museum nearby.

This is a good low-cost summer idea because it gives children a change of scene without needing a big attraction.

Search for:

• things to do this weekend
• family days out near me
• markets near me
• free museums near me
• parks near me

Day 28: Go on a bike or scooter ride

Pick a safe route and make it into a family adventure.

Look for:

• traffic-free paths
• parks
• canal routes
• country parks
• seafront paths
• cycle trails
• quiet local routes

Pack water, snacks, helmets and a simple repair kit if needed.

For younger children, keep the route short and include a playground or picnic stop.

Day 29: Have a board game afternoon

A board game afternoon is perfect for a quiet or rainy day.

Choose simple games for younger children, team games for mixed ages or a family tournament with small prizes.

You could also add:

• snacks
• score sheets
• team names
• music
• a winner’s certificate
• a “choose the next game” prize

This is a good calm activity near the end of the holidays when everyone may be tired.

Day 30: Plan a “yes hour” at home

End the summer holidays with one simple hour where children get to choose a few small activities at home.

Set a timer for one hour and let them pick from easy options like:

• choosing the music
• building the biggest blanket den
• making a silly photo booth
• choosing a family game
• creating a mini talent show
• setting up a teddy bear café
• making a living room obstacle course
• choosing a special snack
• dressing up in funny outfits
• leading a family dance party

The only rule is that the choices need to be safe, simple and possible at home.

This gives children a fun final moment of freedom before routines start again, without needing to spend money or plan another big day out.

How Kids Pass can help families plan the summer holidays

Kids Pass can help families find things to do with kids across the UK, from bigger days out to easy rainy-day activities.

During the summer holidays, Kids Pass can support families with:

• family days out
• attraction offers
• cinema savings
• dining offers
• indoor activities
• bowling and mini golf
• shopping and gift card offers
• everyday family savings

That means your 30-day summer holiday planner can include a mix of free days, low-cost activities and bigger treats without every day becoming expensive.

You can use Kids Pass to check current offers before booking attractions, cinema trips, meals out or indoor activities.

Not a Kids Pass member yet? Start your £1 Kids Pass trial today and discover family days out, cinema savings, dining offers, indoor activities and things to do with kids across the UK.