5 affordable ideas to keep your kids occupied this February half term

Written by Savings Expert: Ryan O’Connell
Published on 20th February 2025

The February half-term is here and we know how stressful it can be to have all the kids inside the house all day. But, the half-term is a perfect chance to step away from your usual routines and make amazing memories with your kids by exploring lots of the amazing things to do locally or even across the UK. With days to fill and boundless energy to channel, finding activities that entertain, engage, and perhaps even educate can be a rewarding challenge.

From adventurous outings to at-home projects, there’s  something to suit every family’s style, budget, and weather forecast. The Voucherbox Savings experts also knows that taking the whole family out for the day can take a major toll on that all important budget. So, to help you out, we have put together some of the best affordable activities guaranteed to keep your kids entertained without stressing out your wallet. Whether you’re planning a big day out or looking for simple ways to keep them busy, these ideas are sure to inspire a half term full of laughter, learning, and cherished moments.

Dine out with cheap kid’s meals

Taking your kids out for a meal can save you the stress of doing the washing up and grocery shopping. However, it can be quite expensive. Thankfully, the half term fun doesn’t have to break the bank, especially when it comes to mealtime. Many restaurants and cafes offer kids-eat-free or discounted deals, making it easier for families to dine out without stretching their budget. Here’s a round-up of the best spots to enjoy affordable, family-friendly meals this half term:

TGI Fridays: TGI Fridays have a deal that will have you thanking god everyday of the week – not just Fridays! Your kids can enjoy a free kids meal when you order any adult main meal at your local TGI Fridays. All you have to do is download the TGI Fridays app and join the Stripes Rewards members to take advantage.

Morrisons Café: Want to grab a bite to eat while you pick up the shopping and still get some savings? With every adult meal your order from Morrisons Café gets you a free meal for Children aged 16 and below. Adult meals at Morrisons Café start as low as £4.50, so you can pick up some major savings while feeding your family!

Bella Italia: Fancy a budget-trip to Italy? Look no further than Bella Italia’s kids deals! Kid’s eat for just £1 between 4 and 6pm every day, except on Thursdays, when kids can eat for free all day. Bella Italia will make sure your little ones are full as their kids meals include three courses and a drink.

Take a trip to the movies

Whether you want to catch the latest animated hit or a comic book blockbuster, enjoying a trip to the cinema with your kids doesn’t need to break the bank. A lot of the UK’s biggest cinema chains offer discounted movie screenings for families, kids’ club deals or even special ticket prices exclusively for half term. So, looking into  the best deals at your local theatre can allow you to treat your tots to a trip to the movies while maintaining your budget:

Cineworld: Cineworld offers family-friendly fun without the huge price tag. You can grab a great deal with the Cineworld family ticket which allows you to take your tots to the cinema for the same price as adults pay kids prices. The Family Ticket is available for groups with 1 adult and 3 children or 2 adults and 2 children.

Vue Cinemas: Start your day off right with Vue Cinema’s mighty mornings, which offer both adult and kid’s tickets for just £2.49 at their special 10am screenings. These screenings happen on the weekends year round, but are scheduled everyday for the school holidays, so it’s an ideal for half-term activity.

Odeon: Step into the spell-binding worlds of fairy tales and animated specials with their special Odeon Kids screenings. Adults also pay kids prices for Odeon’s special kids screenings, with tickets starting from just £2.75, meaning you can save on your screen-time.

See top attractions on a dime

Exploring the UK doesn’t have to cost a fortune. There are lots of amazing deals for families and children that means you can get major savings on your next trip. There are a number of ways you can to explore some of the top UK attractions without it costing an arm and leg:

National Rail's Days Out Guide: The National Rail offers big savings for their customers. When you choose to travel by train, you can take advantage of 2 for 1 deals, 1/3 off entry and more discounts on some of the best Britian has to offer including: Tower Bridge, Plantasia Tropical Zoo, Westminster Abbey and more!

Tesco Clubcard Rewards: You can secure days out savings when you convert your Tesco Clubcard vouchers. Typically, you can exchange £0.50 in vouchers to earn £1 off tickets to attractions Alton Towers, Warwick Castle and more.

Explore UK Museums

Discover the world of art, science and beyond with amazing museum exhibits across the UK. Thankfully, there lots of different museums coverings lots of different subjects that offer free entry to families. Some great options include:

National Museum of Scotland: Offering great exhibits that offer lessons about the natural and human world. There are tons of things on display that will capture your little one's minds including a T-Rex. The National Museum of Scotland is completely free to enter!

Young V&A: Specially curated for children with engaging exhibits that include trips back in history, creative interactive activities. The museum is completely free for you and your little ones.

Get busy in the kitchen

If you're sick of being out and about, why not get busy in the kitchen and cook up some sweet treats with your kids. Baking with your kids over half term is a fun and creative way to spend quality time together. From decorating cupcakes to rolling out dough for cookies, it’s a hands-on activity that everyone can enjoy. Plus, you can use some of our Food & Drink discount codes to pick up some savings while you pick up some baking ingredients.