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Five ways to save on family days out this half term
Families looking for ways to keep their children entertained this half-term need not break the bank.
There are plenty of free or cut-price activities you can enjoy to keep the cost of days out as low as possible, according to a consumer group.
Consumer champion Which? has shared its five top tips on how to save money this February half-term.
Take advantage of ‘kids eat free’ offers
Bella Italia, Hungry Horse and The Real Greek are just some of the many restaurants offering discounts or freebies for children that will lower your bill if you’re eating out this week.
Supermarkets such as Asda are offering children a free warm breakfast in their cafés throughout half-term between 8am to 12pm which is on top of their current £1 kids main meal deal. Check out Morrisons and Tesco for similar deals.
Visit a free gallery or museum
Many UK national galleries and museums are free to enter but visitors may need to book a free ticket before arrival so check the website for terms and conditions.
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Museums that came highly rated by Which? members include;
St. Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff
Living Museum of the North in County Durham
National Railway Museum in York
Royal Air Force Museum in Cosford, Shropshire
National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
Watch the latest movies at a discount
Some cinema chains offer discounts for family films at certain times. These showings are usually in the morning and some cinemas offer a bigger discount if you purchase tickets online.
Odeon’s ‘Odeon Kids’, Vue’s ‘Mini Mornings’ and Cineworld’s ‘Movies for Juniors’ all offer discounts for both adults and children.
Vue’s ‘Mini Mornings’ tickets, for example, cost £2.49 or £2.99 if you buy online compared to £3.49 and £3.99 at the venue.
Owners of Gourmet Society and Tastecards can get up to 40% off some cinema chains. Gourmet Society currently offers a 60-day free trial, while Tastecard gives you 60 days for just £1.
Two-for-one cinema tickets are on offer through price comparison website Compare the Market on a Tuesday or Wednesday for a year, for customers who purchase certain policies.
Lose yourself in a story at your local library
As well as borrowing physical books for free, most libraries allow users to borrow e-books and audiobooks. Some can also grant access to digital magazines and newspapers. Check local library offers through the local council website and sign up for free.
Go walking or plan a treasure hunt
There’s lots of free parks up and down the country. Which? has a guide on the best national parks and the UK’s best walks.
Those in search of adventure could try geocaching, tracking co-ordinates on a smartphone app to find hidden boxes known as ‘caches’. The National Trust has 10 places to try this activity.