Enjoy family days out for less

Taking a trip out as a family can quickly become expensive. By the time you’ve factored in travel, food, and the event itself, your bank balance will have taken a serious hit. But there are ways to cut down the cost of days out.

• Always take plenty of food and drink with you if you can – that way, you won’t need to buy any extras while you’re out. Even if the weather is rubbish, you can still shelter under an umbrella, a tree or even in your car to eat your picnic. Give it a festive theme if you like, with turkey and cranberry sandwiches, mince pies and mini yule logs.
• Make the most of any deals and discounts you spot. If you’re travelling by train, you’ll be able to benefit from 2 for 1 tickets at certain attractions. These include Cadbury World, the London Eye and Legoland, all of which will be particularly magical at Christmas time. You can view the full list of attractions here.
• Visit free museums in cities such as London, Manchester and Birmingham. Some of these host Christmas events in the run up to the big day. Last year, for instance, the London Transport Museum offered an interactive ‘Fix Santa’s Sleigh’ experience, the chance to meet Santa himself and a festive trail around the museum.
• For those families hoping to see the panto this year, check whether there are any operatic and dramatic societies local to you that are performing this Christmas. Ticket prices are generally kinder to the wallet compared to the big theatres, and performances are sure to keep your little ones entertained.
• If you’d prefer to stick to the bigger venues, you can make your trip more affordable by booking group tickets if you can find some friends to go with you. Don’t forget to check out sites like Groupon too, as these often offer great deals.