đ Your Half-Term Survival Guide
Kids eat free, easy days out and stress-reducing travel essentials!
Half-term is here - whether youâve got big plans, small plans, or are just trying to fill the days without everyone climbing the walls.
Iâve pulled together a few ideas for things to do, places to eat for free, some genuinely useful travel bits, and a brilliant podcast to keep you entertained too.
đł Local Things To Do
If youâre staying local, sometimes the simplest plans are the best:
Cinema trips (Goat is out now) or matinees at the theatre
Long walks with a cafĂŠ stop
Museums, galleries or local attractions
Baking afternoons or at-home movie nights
No pressure to over-plan - even one main activity can carry the week.
đ˘ Places To Go
If youâre getting out and about this half-term, these are always a safe bet - most are running special half-term events, trails or activities:
Theme parks - Chessington World of Adventures, Legoland Windsor and Paultons Park run family-friendly half-term programming.
Zoos & wildlife parks including ZSL London Zoo, Whipsnade Zoo, Chester Zoo and Paradise Wildlife Park are great for a full day out.
National Trust & English Heritage sites have lots of nature trails, outdoor challenges and seasonal activities during school holidays. Blenheim Palace, & Windsor Great Park have fab adventure playgrounds!
Outdoor activity centres - think high ropes, climbing, forest adventures and water sports to use up that energy. Check out Go Ape for many local centres.
Museums and science centres across the UK often put on interactive workshops and hands-on exhibitions during half-term. Many are free such as the Roald Dahl Museum, RAF Museum and all the National Museums.
Art & exhibitions - get those creative juices flowing, I went to the âTogetherâ interactive immersive art event last week and it was fabulous!
Coastal days out if the weather plays ball - beaches, piers and fish-and-chips still hit, even in cooler months.
If nothing else, a change of scenery and a decent lunch stop (see kids eat free below) can turn an ordinary day into a win.
đ Travel Essentials
If half-term means time getting from A to B, these are the things that I prioritise:
Snack boxes you wonât regret
Water bottles everyone can open themselves and not spill
Backseat organisers
Entertainment that doesnât just rely on your phone
đ´ Kids Eat Free
Half-term plans are one thing⌠feeding everyone is another. The good news? Plenty of places are running kids eat free (or cheap) deals this week. Save this to your phone or share on your WhatsApp groups!
đ Next Day Gifts Needed?
With two days to go to Valentineâs, most items on my gift guides are available on next day delivery - Iâve got you last minute shoppers! Donât forget my date night guide is filled with ideas and outfit inspo tooâŚ
đ Small Business Shout Out - Chameleon & Co
Founded by a mum who wanted meaningful, personalised pieces that actually work for family life, they create beautifully made gifts and keepsakes - thoughtful without being overcomplicated.
Perfect if youâre after something a bit different, especially for occasions or little half-term treats.
đď¸ Podcast Drop - Sophie Ellis-Bextor
This week on No Parental Guidance, Louise and Hannah are joined by the iconic Sophie Ellis-Bextor â pop star, Kitchen Disco queen and mum of five.
They talk that Saltburn moment (and how Sophie only later realised what Murder on the Dance Floor was being used for), plus the reality of parenting kids spanning nearly 15 years and the chaos of modern school WhatsApp life.
Funny, honest and very relatable.
Hope half-term treats you kindly or at least gives you a few calm moments and a good podcast in the background!
Louise x
*Affiliated links used for some products and brand partnerships.