Winter fun for everyone!

Following a busy Christmas break, we’ve now welcomed in the new year. And while ringing in 2025 was fun, it can be tricky to know what to do with yourself now the excitement is over, and bank accounts bowing under the Christmas pressures.

We’ve got some free and less-expensive ideas from the Howden team to share with you. And don’t forget to share yours with us!

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Exploring outdoors

Avid walkers here at Howden recommend The England Coast Path, recently renamed the ‘King Charles III Coast Path’, as it’s the longest managed coastal path in the world. But that means you can head out to it relatively easily from most points in England! Along the routes are harbours, castles, and museums, so if you’re up for adventure then it’s worth finding your nearest pathway. Just make sure you’ve got a raincoat!

Or why not try out a National Trust spot? Many of them have free trails and family friendly venues, where you can all enjoy a day out. And to connect with nature even closer to home, a trip to your local park is a sure-fire way to have fun and burn off some energy if you’re feeling cooped up inside.

Thinking outside the box

We all know that January is prone to freezing temperatures, drizzle, or all-out downpours. It’s times like these when having some indoor activities, that still get you out the house, are ideal.

There are the obvious options, like the Science Museum or Natural History Museum. But these are London-based, which can be an expensive trip if you’re not local to the capital. So how about some of the quirkier, lesser-known exhibits and museums that are out there?

Did you know that there’s a dog collar museum in Leeds or a ‘house of marbles’ in Devon? If those don’t take your fancy, what about a collection of musical instruments in Oxford or bubble cars in Langrick? Whatever floats your boat, there’s a huge range of weird and wonderful collections out there.

Check out your local council website too, as many towns have their own exhibits, as well as special events designed for families during half term holidays. Your local library – or even your local branch of Howden – may also be hosting a reading challenge, which you can get stuck into together. The point is, there may be more on your doorstep than you realise!

One surprising venue you may not have thought about (unless you’re in need of some flat pack this February) is Ikea. The furniture giant hosts regular free events for children, including Valentine’s crafting sessions and Lego building workshops. Have a look to see what’s on at your local branch.

Some extra budget-friendly options are:

Indoor soft playparks: these are a great spot to spend an afternoon if you need to burn off some energy, but the weather is too bad to play outside.

Junior cinema times: many cinemas offer junior mornings, where tickets for children are much cheaper. Check out the cinema times if there’s a film you want to see!

Keep an eye out for 2-4-1 vouchers on cereal packets: you can get discounted entry to places like Sealife and other attractions. Have a look at Great Western Rail, as you can also get 2-4-1 at certain spots if you travel there by train.

Home comfort fun

And what about those days when you’re at home? Well, why not try some of these suggestions?

Host a home cooking competition:

You could hold a family Bake Off or Come Dine With Me throughout the week, setting different culinary challenges to try your had at. Set yourself a ‘signature bake’ challenge and see what everyone comes up with, or assign everyone a different day of the week to host dinner.

If you’ve got little ones, you can always team up to make sure everyone’s included and stays safe in the kitchen! If you’re all adult age, get that fierce competition going!

Fashion show fun:

Decide on a few fun themes, and set up ‘a runway’. Challenge everyone to come up with outfits that match the themes, then choose your music and let everyone strut their stuff!

You could even go one step further and involve a charity shop challenge, where everyone has a small amount, say £5, to pick out their outfits from local charity shops. Charity shops are also great places to pick up old fabrics to create some weird and wonderful ‘couture’.

Board games:

Board games and card games are perfect for a rainy day indoors, and there’s so many different types that there’s bound to be one you all enjoy. If you need some inspiration, have a look at the games here, for various numbers of players!

And, if you need even more inspiration, have a look at our 40 things to do for free in the school holidays blog!

Kids eat free

If you do head out this half term, many cafés and restaurants now offer regular Kids Eat Free deals, or discounts for families (but do check before you go, some do change these from time to time).

Tesco Cafés: Kids eat free when a paying adult presents their Clubcard and spends just 60p in the café,

YO! Sushi: Kids eat free all day when dining with a full-paying adult (minimum spend £10).

Greene King Pubs: Kids eat free all day with the purchase on an adult’s meal. Available Monday – Friday.

Asda Cafés: Kids eat for £1 all day, every day, with no adult spend required, throughout 2024.

Morrisons Cafés: Kids eat free all day, every day, nationwide, with every adult meal over £4.49.

TGI Fridays: Kids Eat Free all day every day When ‘Stripes Rewards Members’ purchase a full priced adult’s main meal. If you’re not a Rewards Member, book your table and download the app before your visit.

Beefeater: Two children get free breakfast with one paying adult! Keep an eye out in their newsletter, as they can send kids eat free codes.

Brewers Fayre: Up to two under 16’s eat free, unlimited breakfast with any purchase of an adult’s breakfast.

Sainsbury’s Cafés: One child’s hot meal or lunch bag for £1 with any adult main meal purchased over £5.20. This offer is on every day from 11:30am. Kid’s mains include one main, three sides, a drink and a piece of fruit.

Gordon Ramsay Restaurants: Kids under 8 eat FREE all day, every day at selected Gordon Ramsay restaurants with a purchase of an adult’s meal from the a la carte menu.

Pop into your local Howden branch

We’ve got lots on this new year, to help beat the January blues! From book and boot exchanges, to family fun days and business networking – there’s something for everyone. Take a look at our What’s On page here.

Alternatively, find your local branch, stop by or give them a ring!

Sources: Which?, BBC, Days Out With the Kids, Atlas Obscura, Money Saving Central

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Exploring outdoors

Thinking outside the box