Top ten summer holiday activities for under a tenner
The school holidays can feel like an expensive time, especially when it comes to keeping the kids occupied during the summer months, but there are plenty of things you can do as a family that won’t break the bank and cost less than £10.
Local leisure centres offer a wide range of fun activities that don’t cost the earth and will keep the kids entertained for hours. Better, the charitable social enterprise, which runs over 250 leisure centres across the UK, has created a timetable of activities to ensure that every child can enjoy active sports and fun games all summer-long. Here are its top ten ideas:
1. Swim For All – Better runs 140 swimming pools across the country and its Swim for All sessions are open to both children and adults, offering the ideal opportunity to build confidence, practice strokes or enjoy a swim with family and friends. Average prices for an adult are around £8 and £4 for a child.
2. Junior Gym - available across 180 Better leisure centres. Designed for 11- to 17-year-olds the sessions are designed to introduce youngsters to working out and teach them fitness fundamentals with guidance from expert instructors. Better’s junior gym sessions typically cost £4.50.
3. Soft Play – Indoor soft play areas are designed for younger children to have fun, providing a safe and engaging environment for play and development. A great place for little ones to let off some steam, soft play sessions typically cost £3.60 for under 2-year-olds and £8.75 for over 2-year-olds.
4. Toddlers’ Bounce – These dedicated toddlers’ sessions are hosted within Better trampoline parks and designed for under 8-year-olds. They ensure that young children can enjoy trampolining in a safe environment, under parental supervision, with ‘Bounce’ sessions costing around £7.00.
5. Tennis – Enjoy the sunshine and exercising in the open air by booking a tennis court for as little as £7.00. Tennis is a great way to socialise with family and friends or meet new friends, while also keeping fit and improving coordination and ball skills.
6. Kids Swim for a Quid - Under 16-year-olds can swim for just £1 at all Better leisure swimming pools at dedicated times each week during the summer holidays. Undoubtedly one of the best value activities on offer.
7. Trampolining – Better trampoline parks offer ‘Super Saver’ sessions at specific times during the week. With all the benefits of a ‘General Jump’ trampolining session, but at a discounted price (typically £8 for children) meaning everyone can enjoy some bouncing time.
8. AquaSplash - Dive in and experience the excitement of Aqua Splash - an exhilarating inflatable obstacle course on water. Designed for adults and children over 8 years old, Aqua Splash courses are laid out in numerous Better swimming pools across the UK. With floats, toys and plenty of pool space, Aqua Splash offers a great day out for all the family. Sessions are priced at £9.45 for adults and £6.70 for children.
9. Athletics – For children who love running, jumping or throwing then Better’s athletics track sessions for 11yrs – 17yrs cost just £4.50. Some even offer 'train with' sessions supported by established athletes.
10. Gymnastics – Gymnastics Stay and Play sessions for younger children are specifically designed for youngsters aged 6 months to 5 years. These sessions, under parental supervision, provide a space for structured play using gymnastics and soft play equipment and cost just £7.00.
So, if you’re watching the purse strings but still want to ensure your kids are occupied and active this summer, Better leisure facilities have lots of fun to offer from now until the end of the school holidays. Simply head to your local Better leisure centre and ask for details or visit https://www.better.org.uk/things-to-do-summer to find out what’s happening in your area and book online.