Prettiest Autumn Walks in Hampshire
Nothing says a cosy autumn day quite like a family walk, lined with orange trees, crunchy leaves and a steamy seasonal drink.
Budget-Friendly Activities: Free Things to do in Summer
Summer’s here, which means long days and the unwanted pressure to keep everyone entertained without it costing a fortune! Some of the best summer memories can be made with little to no money.
Whether you’re dealing with restless kids during the school holidays or fancy a budget-friendly adventure yourself, this blog is for you. Here are some free things to do with kids in the summer holidays.
Best Free Days Out on the South Coast
Hampshire
- If you’re looking for free family days out in Hampshire, Portsmouth has a couple of free attractions, such as Southsea Castle. Southsea Castle was built as a coastal fort as commissioned by King Henry VIII. Today, visitors can explore its history through engaging displays and there’s even a restaurant, microbrewery and gift shop on-site.
- At Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery, you can spend a couple of hours learning about Portsmouth’s heritage and admiring local artwork, including work from Arthur Conan Doyle, who wrote the first two Sherlock Holmes stories here.
- There are many other superb museums in Portsmouth, although these charge small admission fees. For cheap summer activities, visit The D-Day Story, Cumberland House Natural History Museum (free for those in PO1 – PO6 postcodes), Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and The Mary Rose.
- Fort Nelson, along Portsdown Hill is a great place for families to explore. An old Victorian fort with 19 acres of tunnels, ramparts and artillery from around the world. Lots of free family activities, a café and seasonal exhibitions throughout the year
- Next on the list is Gosport Museum and Gallery. Alongside the impressive art gallery and museum artefacts, they regularly run events for different audiences. The Play Gallery is an interactive, sensory gallery suitable for children as it focuses on colour, shapes and textures. There is an on-site café next to a pleasant courtyard should you wish to sit outside.
- Queen Elizabeth Country Park, which is part of South Downs National Trust, has acres of scenic hilly woodland and downland with many walking and cycling routes. You’ll often spot forts made of sticks left by others and tree swings. There are plenty of picnic benches and BBQ areas to rent out too (at a cost).
There are several Hampshire National Trusts with free walks, including Mottisfont, New Forest, Selborne Common Stockbridge Down and Cheriton.
There is also Alver Valley Country Park in Lee on Solent, with open spaces, wildlife and coastal views. There is a fantastic playground for kids to play and large ponds with ducks.
In Southampton, there are a few free places you can visit with the family. Palmerston Park is a well-kept park with open free spaces and numerous plants and flowers. You can take a stroll, have a picnic or sit on the benches and watch the world go by.
Southampton Common has 365 acres of woodland, grassland, lakes and ponds. There are many events and leisure activities hosted there. For children, there is a large rustic nature play park. The park features zip wires, a climbing tower, swings, slides and monkey bars.
Located within Southampton Common is Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre, open Sundays and Wednesdays (Wednesdays during school holidays). The wildlife centre provides information about local wildlife and how the city manages open spaces to protect wildlife and increase biodiversity. There are free, informative nature trails during the school holidays.
Sussex
Brighton Pier is free to walk along, and the buzzing atmosphere alone makes it worthwhile. It’s quite enjoyable just watching the waves over the pier and you may even see some marine wildlife.
Stanmer Park in Brighton is perfect for times when you do want to get out of the house and make the most of the sunny weather. With open spaces and woodland walks, there’s plenty of room for kids to run about and explore.
Along the coast, the Seven Sisters in Seaford offer some of the most wonderful cliff walks. This is far from a boring hike when you’ve got stunning views from every turn. Many people stop off at Cuckmere Haven for a break and to see the beach. There are many different paths depending on how easy or difficult you want it to be.
The Booth Museum of Natural History is a Victorian treasure trove that’ll spark intrigue for both kids and adults. Discover specimens of butterflies and other insects, birds and bones. There is also a Victorian study with taxidermy and a discovery lab for youngsters.
If you’re looking for a free art gallery, the Towner Art Museum in Eastbourne regularly hosts exhibitions alongside its Towner art collection. There is also a cinema with its own café and bar, learning programme (for adults and children), a shop and restaurant and bar. They have lots of free events for kids over the summer holidays.
Chichester Cathedral has a family-friendly atmosphere where regular, seasonal events take place. The architecture alone is worth the visit with fascinating stained-glass windows and intricate stonework. You can take a tour and learn about its history (admission is by donation).
Dorset
- There are many free beaches in Dorset, but Worbarrow Bay in Lulworth is special as it’s a hidden gem, so fewer crowds are to be expected. The walk down is worth every step and once you’re there, you can experience a little slice of Dorset paradise.
- Bournemouth Beach and Studland Bay are also beautiful beaches and popular with tourists as they’re easily accessible. These are free to visit, but be mindful that the nearby carparks may not be free.
- Durdle Door is an iconic landmark, part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. It’s a must-see for anyone visiting Dorset, and there’s nothing quite like it in the UK.
- Alum Chine Tropical Gardens is a walkway of beautiful tropical flowers leading to a cliffs edge with views of the beach below that is walking distance. It’s the kind of place that makes you think you’re in a tropical country rather than England. There are shaded paths and a pirate-themed play area, so great for small children and pushchairs.
- Durlston Country Park is a must-visit with its beautiful scenery, wildlife sightings and Victorian heritage. Take a tour of Durlston Castle or experience its many exhibitions, guided walks and activity trials. There is also a café, gallery and gift shop.
- What was once a working stone quarry, Tout Quarry Nature Reserve and Sculpture Park is an interesting mixture of art and nature. Wander through and uncover over 60 stone sculptures hidden within the landscape. Enjoy views of Chesil Beach and Portland Harbour. You can expect to see wildflowers and butterflies on your stroll.
Free Summer Activities You Can Do at Home
But what about those days when you don’t fancy going out of the house? There are plenty of ideas for what you can do at home using items that most households already have.
Garden camping is a great activity for kids. Pitch a tent in your back garden and suddenly it feels like you’re miles from home. The kids can make a mess in the garden instead of the house and you’re only a few steps from your own kettle and bathroom…result!
Water fights are lots of fun during the summer, especially on a hot day. Use a garden hose or water balloons. You could even make a slip and slide with tarp and some washing-up liquid. It allows for a bit of friendly competition and the more the merrier.
Rainy Day Activities
With the British summer weather as unpredictable as it is, you need backup plans. Build forts using every cushion, blanket and chair in the house. No fort is complete without fairy lights! Create an at-home cinema experience with plenty of snacks and a projector against a plain wall. Bake a cake together and get the kids to help clean up the mess, and the reward? cake!
Rock painting is quite a therapeutic activity. Collect stones from your garden or on a beach walk, then spend hours creating detailed or abstract paintings, the choice is yours. Take that extra step and hide them around your local area for others to find and hide in a new spot for the next person.
Simple Pleasures That Cost Nothing
Sometimes the best activities are simple. Feed the ducks at your local pond where you’re bound to spot other wildlife too. Often there’s a play area nearby for kids to exert their energy.
Nature walks are great year-round, but especially in the summer, where you can make the most of the vitamin D and pretty flowers. You can walk practically anywhere, even if it’s around your local neighbourhood. Combine this with wildlife watching. Find a nearby forest or field if you can. Early morning or evening walks are when you’re more likely to see deer, foxes, or interesting birds you don’t tend to see in the middle of the day.
If your child loves trains, then it’s a no-brainer to go train spotting! There’s something enjoyable about watching a steam train thunder past. Many heritage railways run along public footpaths where you can watch for free.
Indoor Activities
- Kids can learn a dance from a YouTube tutorial or TikTok trend, and once perfected, they can show off to parents.
- Make playdough from scratch – it’s cheaper than buying it and it only requires a few ingredients that can often be found in the kitchen cupboard: flour, salt, cream of tartar, oil, water and food colouring.
- Colouring books aren’t just for kids, in recent years there have been many adult colouring books on the market as they’re a therapeutic hobby for everyone, so why not colour together?
- Build jigsaws together, allow your child to invite some friends over and have a sleepover, organise karaoke sessions. Read books from your home stash or visit your local library, many of which have children’s sections with activities and story times.
- Paint a fruit or flower up close. Make collages from leaves, flowers, and interesting things you find outside. Make ice lollies from fruit juice or even frozen fruit and yogurt – a healthier snack as you know exactly what’s in them.
Sports and Active Fun
Play hopscotch on the pavement or patio with chalk (which washes off with water). Go on a bike ride through local parks or quiet streets. There’s bound to be a local playground near you, so why not cycle there? The playground is a great place for children to meet new friends and learn about patience.
Play sports in the garden or local park. Football, table tennis, rounders, find a basketball hoop – you don’t need expensive equipment to have fun. If you have a swing ball at home, that’s hours of fun and you don’t have to worry about the ball going over the fence!
It’s All About Balance
The best summer activities aren’t about how much you spend, they’re about time together, laughter and making the most of those warm days and long evenings. While many places or activities will cost you something, it doesn’t mean you have to spend money every day to satisfy your kids. Going out to paid attractions or eating out should be seen as a treat, not as something that’s expected from a parent or guardian.
Kids often prefer the simple stuff anyway. Sometimes they find more entertainment in building a fort from sofa cushions than visiting an expensive theme park, although there’s no harm in doing both! They’ll remember the afternoon you spent making ice lollies together, just as much as the day you took them bowling.
We hope this blog sparked ideas on fun activities you can do at home or out and about that’ll cost you little to no money. We’re all about helping families through ideas and inspiration, so that you can spend less time thinking and more time doing.
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