With the summer holidays kicking off, many parents are facing six weeks of trying to keep their kids entertained without spending a fortune. The Government's Great British Summer Savings scheme is back, temporarily cutting VAT from 20% to 5% on many family-friendly activities. Here is a round-up of the best offers.
Food and Drink
Morrisons and Kellogg's have brought back their free summer Breakfast Clubs. At participating Morrisons cafes, children and adults can choose a free bowl of Kellogg's cereal with dairy or non-dairy milk, plus a free apple or banana. The offer runs until September 6. The supermarket has also launched summer savings including three-for-£5 fruit deals and two-for-£3 offers on 500ml drinks.
Until August 28, McDonald's has reduced Happy Meals to £2.99, down from the usual price of £4.29–£4.69. The offer is available via the McDonald's app. Nando's has cut the price of kids' meals, reducing its Nandino kids' meals from £6.95 to £6.08. The meal includes a main, two sides and either a drink or dessert.
Wetherspoons is giving money off children's meals with prices throughout the summer down from £5.75 to £5.03, available until September 1. Greene King pubs are offering a kids' meal, dessert and a drink for just 88p until August 28, when bought with a paying adult. The Big Table Group, including Frankie & Benny's, Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Banana Tree, offers kids eat free all day every day throughout the summer until September 1.
Days Out
Cinemas including Odeon, Vue and Cineworld are taking part in the Great British Summer Savings, offering reduced child and family tickets. Vue is also running its Mighty Mornings screenings with tickets costing £2.49 for children aged four to 12 and accompanying adults on weekends after 10am and every morning during school holidays.
The London Eye has reduced ticket prices from September 1. Adult tickets are now £25.38, reduced from £29, while child tickets have dropped from £35 to £30.63. Merlin Entertainment, home to Alton Towers, Legoland and Chessington World of Adventures, offers tickets starting from £34.13 per person, down from £39. Paultons Park, known for Peppa Pig World, has day prices at £45 per person, down from £59, including free parking.
National Trust properties are reducing admission prices and children's meals in their cafes until September 1. Explorer Passes have also been discounted, with a four-day pass starting at £31.50 and family passes from £35.85 for one adult or £56 for two adults.
Activities and Travel
Kellogg's is sponsoring free places at 73 football camps nationwide this summer. Parents can claim a place by buying a promotional pack of cereal and entering the code online. IKEA has launched its Summer Funhouse offering free arts, crafts, games and competitions across the school holidays. Pets At Home offers free pet workshops for children aged four to 10, including meeting animals and learning how to care for them.
The British Motor Museum in Warwickshire is offering entry for just £1 for children aged 16 and under when accompanied by a full-paying adult until September 1. Theatre fans can take advantage of London Theatre's Kids Week, where children aged 17 and under can get free tickets to selected performances until August 31 when an adult ticket is purchased.
The Government is allowing children aged five to 15 in England to travel for free on participating local buses throughout August with unlimited journeys. Adults can benefit from the Weekend Hopper fare in London, where on weekends between July 25 and August 31, the cost of a single bus fare (£1.75) allows unlimited bus and tram travel for the rest of the day.
