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Summer holidays are magical… but they can also become expensive very quickly.

The good news is that there are lots of brilliant ways to make your family budget stretch further, from children eating free at restaurants to discounted days out, free activities and special holiday events.

I’ve rounded up some of the best offers available across Cheshire, North Wales and beyond to help you enjoy a fun-filled summer without breaking the bank.

Please do check individual venues before travelling, as offers and availability can change.

🍽️ Kids Eat Free (or for £1)

Eating out as a family doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

Some of our favourite offers include:

Tesco Café

Children can enjoy a free meal with a qualifying adult purchase when using a Clubcard during the summer holidays.

Morrisons Café

One free children’s meal with every adult meal costing £5 or more.

ASDA Café

Kids eat for just £1 with no minimum adult spend.

Dunelm Pausa Café

Free children’s meal with every £4 spent by an adult.

Dobbies Garden Centres

Children can eat for £1 with selected adult meals.

Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet

Several restaurants are running summer promotions, including kids eating free at selected venues and £1 meal offers.

🎢 Discounted Days Out

This summer there’s even more reason to get out and explore.

Many attractions are taking part in the Government’s Great British Summer Savings initiative, meaning reduced prices on family attractions, cinemas, theatres and children’s meals until 1 September.

Keep an eye out for savings at attractions including:

• Chester Zoo
• BeWILDerwood Cheshire
• Go Ape Delamere
• Ness Botanic Gardens
• Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre
• Soft play centres
• Adventure parks
• Local cinemas

🦒 Great Value Cheshire Days Out

You don’t always need expensive theme parks to have a brilliant day.

Some of our family favourites include:

• Delamere Forest
• Loggerheads Country Park
• Erddig
• Chirk Castle
• Grosvenor Park
• Moel Famau
• Greenfield Valley Heritage Park
• Park in the Past
• Talacre Beach
• Llandegla Forest
• Chester Roman Walls
• Marbury Country Park

Pack a picnic and you’ve got an affordable family adventure.

🎨 Free Summer Activities

There are lots of fantastic free events running throughout the holidays.

Look out for:

• LEGO Make & Take workshops
• Apple Camp creative sessions
• Pets at Home My Pet Pals workshops
• IKEA family craft events
• Library craft mornings
• Storytime sessions
• Nature trails
• Local park activities
• Museum family workshops
• Community festivals

Many shopping centres also host free entertainment during the holidays.

🚍 Travel for Less

This summer there are extra ways to save on getting around.

Children can travel free on many local transport offers, including free bus travel in England during August and various family rail promotions.

🏕️ Holiday Activities & Food (HAF)

If your child is eligible for benefits-related free school meals, don’t forget to check your local Holiday Activities & Food programme.

Many clubs include:

• Sports
• Baking
• Forest school
• Arts and crafts
• Outdoor adventures
• Lunch included

They’re completely free for eligible families and run across Cheshire East and Cheshire West & Chester throughout the holidays.

🎥 Budget Entertainment

Don’t forget about rainy day options too.

Look out for:

• Discount cinema tickets
• Family theatre offers
• Soft play discounts
• Bowling promotions
• Crazy golf offers

Many venues are offering reduced prices as part of the summer savings scheme.

🌿 My Favourite Free Summer Days

Sometimes the very best memories don’t cost a penny.

• Feed the ducks
• Go blackberry picking
• Paddle in a stream
• Fly a kite
• Visit a new playground
• Have a picnic at sunset
• Build dens in the woods
• Visit the beach
• Watch the trains
• Hunt for bugs
• Nature scavenger hunt
• Paint kindness rocks
• Stargazing
• Bike rides
• Camp in the garden

These are often the days my children remember most.

Before You Go…

Many offers require a voucher, app, loyalty card or advance booking, so it’s always worth checking before you set off.

I’ll keep updating this guide throughout the summer if I spot any fantastic new family bargains.

If you’ve discovered an amazing offer in Cheshire or North Wales, let me know in the comments so we can help other families save money too.