Keep the kids entertained over Christmas half term while on a budget with our top tips
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue.
KEEPING kids entertained in the Christmas holidays can be a challenging task.
However, there’s no need to fret if you are struggling — these tips will help you to keep restless youngsters happy and won’t cost a fortune . . .
FESTIVE FILM: If you fancy heading to the cinema to get out of the house there’s no need to fork out full price. Collect Nectar points and use them towards your trip. Every 500 points is worth £2.50 towards tickets at Vue Cinemas. Or, families can save on tickets, food and drink by nabbing the all-inclusive family package — you’ll get four tickets, four drinks, and four snacks for up to 20 per cent off.
DON’T GET BOARD: Christmas may still be a few days away, but you needn’t wait until the big day to keep the kids (and the whole family) occupied with something new.
Go old-school and stock up on a few board games — you can nab a great selection for low prices and there are plenty to choose from. I like Talking Tom 5 In 1 Classical Games Collection from , plus it’s only £6, down from £10.99.
SAVING: £4.99
PIE KNOW WHAT TO DO: Why not make your own mince pies with the kids? You can either go completely from scratch, or use ready-made pastry. I like the shortcrust Pastry Mix from Asda, 74p. Then get the kids to jazz up ready-made mincemeat, £1 from Tesco, with fruits and nuts. Cheap and tasty options include orange marmalade, 45p at Aldi (60p at Tesco) or cranberries, £1.29 (far more expensive at Waitrose, £2.55).
SAVING: £1.26 on cranberries
ARE WE THERE YET? Long car journeys to see family and friends can prove tedious for kids, so pre-plan things to do. Load films on a tablet, play charades, or take playing cards. A standard deck is £1.99 at WHSmith; a saving of £1 compared to Waddingtons No1 Playing Cards, £2.99.
SAVING: £1 on cards
- All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
Deal of the day
HALFORDS has a big sale on in-car technology. This HDC300 Dash Cam is just £51, down from £69, until December 30.
SAVE: £18
Cheap treat
LOVE a chocolate croissant? Why not top a plain one with Nutella? A 400g jar is £2 at Morrisons, was £2.90.
SAVE: 90p
Top swap
SWAP the £12 price tag of your Christmas Baileys for a £3.85 bottle of O’Connor’s Irish Country Cream from Tesco.
SAVE: £8.15
Reader's saving tip
CHARLOTTE BONSER, from Farnborough, Hants, says: “Don’t throw away used paper, use it in pet cages or in log fires to keep it burning longer on the cheap.”
- Send tips to and you will get 28 codes worth £5 if yours is used. Please include your name and town.
Shop and save
PICK up two bottles of Imperial Leather bath soak for £1.80 at Asda, including limited-edition Mermazing. The kids will love it.
My Sun Savers fiver
TERI WARD, from Porthcawl, Mid Glam, says: “I used my latest Sun Savers fiver to pay for a new star for the Christmas tree this year.”
- Send Savers fiver stories to and get 28 codes worth £5 if yours is used. Please include your name and town.
Your paper could be worth £50,000
Every month YOU could win the super cash giveaway in our Sun Raffle just for reading this paper.
Entering could not be easier – simply download the Sun Savers app or sign up at .
Then, opt in to each month’s Sun Raffle by clicking “Yes!” when prompted and start collecting the codes printed daily inside the paper – scanning in the app or entering online.
With every code you enter you will earn a Raffle ticket into that month’s £50,000 Raffle.
There is no limit to how many tickets you can collect per month, so make sure to enter as many codes as you can to give yourself the best chance of winning. Remember, you have got to be in it to win it.
Not already a Sun Savers member? Join Sun Savers today.
It only takes a minute to sign up – just search “Sun Savers” in the app store and then download the app, or head to . To get started, all you need to do is enter a few details.
- T&Cs apply. For full T&Cs see .
Fancy a free fiver?
YOU can get FREE cash with super Sun Savers just for buying your favourite paper.
Our brilliant new rewards club will pay back our most loyal readers.
Just pick up the paper each day to collect your Sun Savers codes and we will GIVE YOU £5 when you have collected 28.
This isn’t a one-off and there is no limit to how much cash you can save.
For every 28 codes you enter, we will give you a fiver.
So over the course of a year, that could add up to £65.
We are keeping it super-simple.
You don’t have to enter codes from consecutive days, so don’t worry if you forget a day or two.
most read in money
Download our easy Sun Savers app and quickly scan your code using your smartphone. Or go online and enter your code at .
To get you on your way, join today and we will put a bonus £1 in your Sun Savers wallet tomorrow. And the good news doesn’t stop with free cash.
With Sun Savers, we give you the best hacks, deals and tips to save money every single day.
TO JOIN: Don’t worry, folks — joining takes just 30 seconds, .
- PRICES correct at time of going to press. Deals/offers subject to availability.
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]