Half term fun on a budget

Here are 11 fantastic ideas for half term fun on a budget ... no matter what the weather's like.

Half term is a lovely break. Hopefully the weather is a bit nicer and there are lots of chances for the children to play outside and have plenty of holiday fun.

Day trips and activities can cost a fortune - but you don't need to break the bank to have a lovely half term.

We've put together some great ideas for half term fun that doesn't cost the earth.

At the start of half term gather everyone together and make a Boredom Busters jar.

Brainstorm ideas of things to do during half term and pop them in your jar. You can take it in turns to pick out an activity and it's a great way to prevent any cries of 'Muuuum ... we're booored!'

Get organised and print out our handy holiday planner at the start of the week. Let everyone help pick activities and things they want to do.

We've given you some ideas to fill in your planner here.

Yoy don't have to splash the cash at expensive theme parks and attractions to have a great family day out. There are some fab places to visit that are completely free.

Museums, art galleries, farm parks, country parks, play parks ... they are all fab and FREE! Find out what's on near you.

Head out into the great outdoors on a walk or adventure. It's completely free after all and you can discover nearby woods, hills or paths that you never found before.

Take the bikes or scooters for a bit of extra pedal power. Or turn a walk into a treasure hunt with Geocaching.

If you fancy a special day out at a local zoo, farm park, theme park or other attractions check for any special offers before you go.

Don't forget to take a look at the attraction's own website, too, in case there are discounts on tickets (you can often get a discount when booking online.) And see if you can get offers if you use your loyalty card points.

Whatever you choose to do on a day out it's always much cheaper to take your own picnic with you. Pack up a scrummy picnic lunch and you can save pounds on having to fork out in cafes and restaurants.

After lunch, you could take your kids on a little adventure with one of our outdoor scavenger hunts.

Find some lovely picnic recipes here.

Spend an afternoon or a day getting crafty. You don't need to spend a fortune - turn the recycling bin into works of art. We have load of great ideas to try here.

Check out our crafty pages for more inspiration.

Spend a day making dens and playing in them. Grab old sheets and pegs and get creative. Or transform a huge box into a castle or house. Once created, make signs and gather cushions and play things to furnish it into a cosy space. You could even have lunch inside the den!

Put some pennies in the children's purses and head out on a shopping trip that doesn't break the bank. Scour charity shops, antique shops and fairs to find some lovely and unusual bargains.

Perhaps your children will discover a pre-loved teddy that needs a new home or a board game to try out? When prices are cheap, you can shop without guilt and then spend the rest of the day playing with your goodies.

Take a trip to your local library. Spend a happy hour browsing books to borrow and bring home. There are often free art and craft or story telling sessions at libraries too - look out for them on our What's On guide and in our libraries listings.

Often there are book sales so you can add to your book shelves too ... fab, free family fun.

Do the kids claim they are bored of all their toys? Head to your local toy library and browse a whole set of new toys to play with over half term. Most toy libraries are either free to join or charge a very small fee and you can borrow toys just as you would borrow books in a library.

Your children will have great fun browsing and playing with the toys on offer and choosing which to take home.

Find local toy libraries here.