The school summer holidays are here and every parent wants their child to have the best time.

However, the cost-of-living crisis and rising energy costs means every penny is needed right now.

According to research from Epson, on average the summer holidays cost parents a massive £1,445.23 per child which for many families is just impossible.

We’ve compiled a list of the best things to do with your kids in south London this summer if you’re on a budget.

Greenwich + Docklands International Festival 2022

A free art festival is coming to Greenwich between August 26 and September 11.

The festival has fun for all the family – with art, theatre, dance, and circus performances.

Brockwell Lido

Make a splash this summer by taking your kids for an outdoor swim in Brockwell Lido.

We’ve already had a heatwave this summer so if you need a place to spend the warm weather, head to Herne Hill.

South London Gallery

The Peckham gallery is a great place to introduce your little one’s to art and they have regular workshops where you can all get involved.

There’s also a café on site and a lovely garden to walk through or chill out in.

Most museums and galleries around England are free so taking a trip to any across London or local to you is a great, cheap day out for your family.

National Trust Sites

The National Trust website has a list of beautiful walks, gardens, parks, and other sites that you can visit in and around south London.

Get your kids out into nature and they can be entertained for hours without spending a penny.

You can also find kid-friendly cycle routes on the National Trust’s website if you’re a family of bike riders.

Gardening

Kids love getting stuck in and mucky outdoors, so why not try your hand at gardening.

There are lots of resources online and you can buy seeds for very cheap.

If you don’t have your own garden, why not grow some flowers or vegetables in plant pots in your home.

Local Libraries

Head over to your local library to borrow children’s books, DVDs, and more.

A lot of libraries will run summer reading challenges if your child is a bookworm, and they will also have even more information for you on nearby free or cheap activities.

Cinema

On those rainy days when you just don’t know how to keep your kids entertained, why not make the most of some great cinema deals.

Visit Vue in the morning for £2.49 tickets on child-friendly films, or Odeon’s child-friendly screenings cost a similar £2.50.

Other Deals

If your child has a Blue Peter badge, which they can apply for on the BBC’s website, they’ll get free entry to all sorts of attractions around London – including HMS Belfast.

And if your local supermarket is Tesco, start stocking up those Clubcard points as you can swap vouchers for up to three times their value to buy tickets to Legoland, Chessington World of Adventures, Alton Towers and many more places.

This time of year can be stressful for parents, especially those struggling financially already.

But there are tonnes of great activities to do with your kids for free or for very cheap so that you can make memories to last a lifetime whilst sticking to your budget.

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