Easter holiday saving tips

Now schools are out for the Easter break, so forth commences a three-week period of forever pulling out the credit card. If money is tight this year, read these tips on how to entertain the kids on a budget so your savings need not be sacrificed.

Do..

Cooking

Kids will enjoy getting their hands dirty and helping out in the kitchen. Get your cookery books out and get them involved from the beginning – they will love choosing the cake they want to bake and it will give them something to aim for.

Top tip: Baking individual cupcakes or muffins means you have more cakes to decorate and if you go to a baking shop you can often buy interesting icing cutters. Get a selection, and let your little ones’ creative side shine through.

Outside games

The weather in this country is by no means predictable; however, should the sun start to shine then it is handy to have some outside games prepared to entertain and hopefully wear them out before tea. Consider investing in a rounders bat and ball and get a little competition going – this way attention spans will be stretched.

Easter games

Get your children into the spirit of Easter by thinking up some Easter games. Plant some chocolates around the garden, or better still, make it more complicated and write clues to where the next egg is hidden – this could keep them entertained all afternoon.

Museums

Museums in this country are free and so they are a great way to spend a wet spring day without spending a fortune. To keep spending to a minimum, a good money saving tip is to take a packed lunch too so you do not get tempted to spend money in the café.

Don’t…

Go shopping

Avoid the shops if you can, while it may seem like a good way to pass the day you will be tempted to spend money, even if you just set out to browse. You also need to consider the amount you will spend on car parking, which can be quite expensive especially in city centers, and you and the kids will get tired and you may end up splurging on McDonalds.

Travel

Car journeys are never fun with a family in tow, especially if they are long ones, so keep them to a minimum. You will save money this Easter if you stay close to home – petrol is expensive, and public transport is not a lot cheaper.  While temperatures may not be what they were last week, spring is a good time to get some fresh air and see the countryside, so get the walking boots on, or the bicycles out when you can.

Give-in

Children can be very persuasive when they want to be, and often it is easier to give-in to their demands than argue with them, however, they are not in-charge of the finances, and until they contribute to the bills, it is not their decision what you spend your money on. This is not to say do not spend any money on them, only, let it be you who treats them when you want to and not when they demand it.

With these tips you will be able to enjoy the Easter break this year with the comfort of knowing you are spending time with your kids rather than the cash in your wallet.

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