The Summer holidays are looming and the prospect of entertaining the kids for 6 long weeks can be quite terrifying, and now it’s more important than ever to try and keep costs down at the same time as entertaining, 1, 2 , 3 or even more children…
We have put together this super handy list of free (or low cost) events and activities happening nearby, as well as a helpful list of survival tips to make the most of the summer holidays on a budget, plus ideas to keep the boredom at bay!
The Yorkshire Coastal Cottages Treasure Map is perfect for you if you’re seeking affordable and free family attractions in Whitby. You can discover a variety of fun-filled attractions across the seaside town, with interactive questions to answer as you go along. Download your treasure map today for an unforgettable family staycation.
Hairy Bob’s Story Trail. The story trail leads families around the local park starting at St Mary’s Church in Scarborough, as they follow the adventures of Uncle Josh, Mia, Kai and their dog Scruffy. Download the newly digitised version of the trail here.
Go on an Insect Trail in South Cliff Gardens, download this useful guide here
Sutton Bank and Danby Lodge both have The Magic of Nature Trail running from 21st July to 10th August 2023 and costs just £3. You can find out more on their website here.
On Sunday 27th August 2023, 10:30am until 2pm follow a Treasure Hunt on part of the Cleveland Way, using a GPS unit to guide you on your way. Discover hidden boxes along the way, each containing rubber stamps to help you create your own ink stamped masterpiece! Cost: £5 per family and £20 refundable deposit for the GPS unit and starts at the Ravenscar Visitor Centre.
Go Geocaching! but watch out, it can be quite addictive. You will need a Smartphone to download the app and once you have the app you can start hunting for Geocaches; you can even hide your own! It’s a Worldwide Treasure Hunt and some caches can be large containers with little toys in to swap and collect, but many are small containers with a log book to sign. It’s a great way to get outdoors and get the kids active looking for treasure.
Alternatively you could create your own Scavenger Hunt, use this ready made list here, or make your own up and collect things along the way.
Some of the libraries in Scarborough and Whitby will be taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge, which is free to enter with digital rewards to be won. Contact your local library to find out more.
Every child who signs up for the Summer Reading Challenge at Derwent Valley Bridge Library this summer will receive a FREE swim session at Scarborough Sports Village!
Scarborough Library Summer Reading Challenge Launch Party is on 15th July 2023, 10am – 2pm. Featuring Dan Freedman Author Event, Crafts, and Face Painting.
Whitby Library and Filey Library both have events running all Summer.
Scarborough Art Gallery and The Rotunda Museum have quite a few free activities planned over the Summer, including crafts and fossil handling. Find out more here.
South Cliff Gardens have weekly free activities running throughout Summer including Wildcats, Go Wild and Busy Bees. Find out more here.
If you feel like doing your bit for the environment, there are several Beach Cleans scheduled up and down the coast which are free to attend, full details here.
The Whitby Regatta is a full weekend of entertainment from 12th to 14th August 2023, with yacht racing, rowing races and various free forms of entertainment, finishing with a prize presentation and spectacular firework display.
Raincliffe Woods Secret Wood returns again this year on 19th August 2023, 11am – 5pm. Have a go at archery, basket weaving, green-woodwork, bushcraft and so much more. Live music and performances throughout the day.
“Little Litter Picks” with Keep Scarborough Tidy. (more details in the group.) You just need to let them know you are attending. Such a fun way to spend an hour or two; children love it!
There are loads of lovely parks in the local area including Peasholm Park (pictured) which is free to enter and enjoy. Bring along a picnic and take in the scenery or get stuck in with some of the activities on offer.
Peasholm Park is open 10am-5pm and has plenty to enjoy including; Dragon Boats, Rowing Boats, Putting Green and an 18 hole pitch and a putt course and the prices are very reasonable, find out more here.
Other great parks in the area include Pannet Park in Whitby, Filey Country Park, Southcliff Gardens, and Woodlands Ravine Park which has good footpath connections from town to Scalby Road.
Local parks are a great way to enjoy the outdoors, meet up with friends, have a picnic and burn off some energy, and it’s all free! Check out our newly updated list here Parks & Playgrounds and find a park near you.
Why Not Have breakfast in the park! Pack up an easy breakfast – we usually grab some croissants, yoghurt tubes and fruit – and beat the playground crowds. The kids will love having breakfast outdoors and there won’t be a queue for the swings! Make it extra fun by letting them go in their jammies. · Make microwave popcorn – we love this easy popcorn recipe from My Fussy Eater. You just need a brown paper bag, popcorn kernels and a few minutes. You could even take your teddies and turn it into a Teddy Bears Picnic!
North Yorkshire Water Park offers a range of watersport activities including aqua park (including one for Toddlers (Splash Kingdom), stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, open water swimming, sailing, canoeing. Plus walks, cycle track, cafe and a relaxing environment. Free parking, free entry, you only pay to play.
We already have a really good section on Free Days Out which you can find here which has LOADS of ideas for places to go that won’t cost anymore than the petrol, your picnic and an ice-cream (if the kids behave!!). This section also contains ideas for lots of Walks in the Area as well as a list of all the local Beaches (Scarborough will always be a favourite!!)
PREPARE: To get through the 6 weeks it’s a good idea to be prepared before the holidays start. Do some research on things to do in the area (see above!) and how much they cost etc, then make a list of things you’d like to include in your Summer hols, then start adding them to your calendar.
FAMILY BRAINSTORM: Get the kids together and talk about what everyone would like to do over summer, write down some ideas and make a list. Put all the ideas into a jar then each day a child can pick one out, and that is your activity for that day. It doesn’t always work and sometimes the kids don’t want to do what they pick out, or the weather might not be appropriate, but sometimes it’s just a fun way of getting them involved in deciding what’s going to happen that day.
BUDGET: We all know entertaining kids can be expensive, so don’t spend everything you have in the first week – try and spread the budget evenly over the 6 weeks. Any activities that require a big spend can be spaced evenly throughout the 6 weeks, then fill the gaps with free days out, and other low-cost activities.
TRY NEW THINGS: Most kids have their favourite things they like to do, but they love to try new things too, so each week why not try and squeeze in something you’ve never done before or go somewhere you’ve never been. It doesnt have to cost anything – How about following that little footpath you see on your way to school and find out where it goes or find a new park or beach to go to. Google maps is also a great resource for seeing what’s in your local area.
BAD DAYS WILL HAPPEN: So go outside get some exercise and fresh air! I find that if my kids are being particularly annoying and grouchy, the best thing to do is to just get them outside. Put some drinks and snacks in a bag and go for a walk, take the scooters, or get on the bikes.
FRIENDS: If your kids are school age, they will more than likely miss their friends over the Summer, so make sure you get the relevant phone numbers from the other Mums before they break off, then arrange to meet up at the park, or invite their friends over to play and have a picnic.
Lick ice lollies – in the bath! It’s a great way to cool down and you don’t have to worry about them getting sticky!
Decorate bikes – gather some craft supplies like stickers and streamers then let the kids transform their rides into the brightest bikes on the block. They’ll love showing off their new creations and burn off energy riding them around later.
Have an “unbirthday party” at home – A whole summer off school is reason enough for a party! Go the whole hog with balloons, party games, streamers, a pinata and a cake. You don’t have to worry about cards and presents, or inviting people if you don’t want, just spend the day partying with the kids!
Embrace face painting: You can get lots of cheap kits in the shops, some come with stencils and accessories too. Experience has taught me this is best done outside and NOT anywhere with a light-coloured carpet!
Make invisible ink: use the juice of half a lemon and a few drops of water.
Invent a code write each other letters to crack.
Hold a Garden Sports Day – gather the kids together and hold a good old fashioned sports day – or night – in the garden, or somewhere else that’s safe. Think egg and spoon races, sack races, wheelbarrows, all the oldies and goodies.
Backyard camping – skip the drive to the campsite, shower blocks and shared loos and pitch the tent in the back garden. They can play camping all day, and even sleep in it at night!
Write a story together – you could write a line each, either by saying it out loud or by writing something and folding it over, then passing the paper on. We also like to write sentences onto pieces of paper, put them into a bowl then pull them out to create a wild and wacky tale.
Try Origami: There are loads of how-to videos online, it doesn’t have to be tricky! The Mini-mumblers love making the fortune-tellers! We mix this up with exercises rather than fortunes. You could even craft a boat and race them across the paddling pool or bath.
Buy a bucket of garden chalk: make giant snakes and ladders, hopscotch, or draw huge pictures on the path.
Make nature faces: use what you have in the garden or go on a walk to collect flowers, twigs etc then make fabulous faces with your finds.
Make banana bites: chop up a banana, spread it out on baking paper then stick it in the freezer for a few hours for a deliciously icy, sweet and healthy treat!
Toast Smores over a campfire – For an easy Smore, toast a marshmallow over the flames then stick it between two chocolate digestives. Delicious! Don’t fancy building a campfire? Use a BBQ!
Turn the garden into a science lab: take the mess outside and conduct some cool and easy experiments. There are some good ones here.
Make a marble run: Use sticky tape, toilet rolls and cardboard
Play Paper Games: Think hangman, battleships, noughts & crosses!
Apparently water painting on the fence has the potential to keep little people busy for hours! All that’s required is a bucket of water and a paint brush and point them at the fence!! Maybe coincide with Bubbles! Big bubbles, little bubbles, popping bubbles, bubble machines = lots of bubble fun!!
Thought this list might come in handy for some of you as well
Keep an eye on the Summer Holidays Events Page which will be continually updated throughout the Summer and don’t forget to like the Scarborough & Whitby Mumbler News page on Facebook for regular events news and posts. You can also have a look on our Events Calendar which is jam packed full of events this year.
Scarborough, Whitby and Filey is bursting with fun events and activities this summer, but if you fancy a change and can go a little further afield then here are some other free options across Ryedale – similar blog but worth a check
Last but not least, we wish you and your Mini Mumblers a happy, fun filled summer holiday!!!!