We have all felt the pinch when it comes to the costs associated with entertaining children, even more so during the school holidays. So I have set my self a challenge to see if I can entertain 3 children for 5 days on a budget of £50. That’s £10 per day. Can I do it?
The Idea
Since compiling my What’s On posts for the school holidays the comments I see the most are about money. How expensive it is to visit places, that people struggle on a budget. So I thought I would choose a week in the summer holidays to do this challenge to see if we can do it. This way the boys get to go out and about and I don’t have to spend lots doing so.
It also helps me to showcase parts of my local area for others who live here or who are visiting the area. And, I am hoping that it shows you do not need to have loads of money to have a good time and more importantly making those memories.
The Budget
So the total budget is £50! This is to include the entry to any attractions (if we can afford too) for children and adults. It also includes any parking charges we may come across to visit places. It isn’t however including travel in terms of fuel being used. I did think really hard about this and wasn’t 100% whether it should be included or not, but I would have no idea how to even measure this. I may include mileage I drive if others would find this useful, but this would be subjective to everyone as we all live in different areas so to me it seemed a little pointless.
The budget also doesn’t include food. My children would need to be provided with a lunch even If I was at home. However, we do go out all day then I will be bringing them a packed lunch and we will be bringing water bottles with us. But, if the boys want anything whilst we are out; ice-cream, drink etc then this would be part of the budget.
The Rules
Are you ready for the rules? Okay, let’s go.
- The Challenge will be over 5 days.
- We have to leave the house and go out and about, even in poor weather, to show what options we have in the city to do.
- It needs to be a minimum of 3 hours so a morning or afternoon.
- We need to stick to the budget of £50, this to include entry costs, parking charges, any additional spends.
- We will be documenting how we get on via Instagram/Facebook stories. So make sure to check them out!
- We can’t use any annual passes to enter
- We can’t visit any specific events, such as summer activity days, it has to be something that can be done any time of the year.
Our feelings
I am actually feeling really excited for this to start. I think we will be able to do this and be able to get out and about, I even think we will come under budget. I have a few ideas of places to visit, but I want to keep it is a surprise, so make sure you are following our social media to keep up to date!
Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/TheMumDiaries1
Instagram Page
https://www.instagram.com/_themumdiaries/
Hi Mums Diaries – You could visit the Railworld Wildlife Haven .. I am sure you have been before and know what volunteers have done .. .. Maybe look at TripAdvisor – Or our Facebook page
I am really interested to see how you get on because I have 3 kids and I’m really struggling to keep cost down and taking them out! So far we’ve been to softplay and we’re going to the beach at Orton Mere and just for those 2 days with snacks at softplay it’s cost me £62!! I’ve got a few other low cost things I’d like to do with them but we certainly can’t do much more for the rest of the summer!!
Make sure to keep an eye on my social channels as that will be where I post daily about what we are getting up too! I have 3 kids too so understand all to well about the costs of being able to do things with them!
Oh Brian, Railworld at £10 for a family was already on our list! We haven’t been since covid times, so I am looking forward to coming back!
Ahh – Good to hear – So pleased – we maybe only mere volunteers – But we are fired up and want to make a positive impact on Our Amazing Planet we All Call ‘Our Home’ .. We are doing new things every week – the children will love the new garden railway – Created and inspired by our 76 year star – Bob and his tough little helper – Paul!