Tricks, treats and budget-friendly half-term fun

Halloween costumes, pumpkins and sweet tubs in the shops are among the telltale signs that the autumn half-term holiday is almost here. Where did those six weeks go?!

The recent drop in temperature and sudden downpours are reminders that this can be a challenging time of year to keep little ones amused. With that in mind, we’ve pulled together some budget-friendly tips, tricks and treats to help keep everyone happy, from would-be wizards to mini-monsters.

Get baking

Wet and windy weather? No problem! A rainy afternoon is the ideal time to put those hours spent watching Junior Bake-off to the test. If you’ve been carving pumpkins, put leftover flesh to good use in spiced biscuits, a loaf or a cake. Make sure to stock up on flour, sugar, eggs and cinnamon ahead of time and you’re all set. For bonus points, white icing in a piping bag makes for great spooky decorations such as skeletons and cobwebs.

Get making

Halloween outfits in the shops might look eye-catching, but getting creative at home can make for a few fun-filled hours and deliver great results as well. It’s amazing what a root through the dressing up box, bottom drawers and backs of cupboards can reveal. There are several benefits to adopting a DIY approach, from being able to mix and match costume elements to coping with changes of mind. With youngsters in the spirit of things, encourage them to think about how to use odds and ends for spooky decorations inside and outside the house.

Get cosy

All that sorting through for costumes and props has probably revealed plenty of long-forgotten toys and other bits and pieces, such as sleeping bags and blankets. If the weather has made it difficult to plan outdoor activities, then now’s the ideal time to make an indoor space fun, perhaps using some of these rediscovered props and playthings. Think makeshift camps and cosy dens for everything from Lego building to tea parties, and maybe a few child-friendly ghost stories tucked under the pillows.

Get out and about

Days out don’t have to be costly, especially when researched. Many museums and local venues run free or reasonably priced events during the holidays, including some linked to school topics,  so it’s well worth checking what’s on near you. Keep an eye out, too, for special deals at local pumpkin patches and spooky party afternoons. Plenty of cafes and restaurants also offer family deals over half-term, from ‘kids eat free’ to discounted meals; MoneySavingExpert keeps a regularly updated list, available to view here. Your local community pages, hubs and council website are other great places to find out what’s happening in your area.

And finally… get thinking about Christmas

And if all that baking and making has got you in the mood, keep an eye out. In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing ideas for a handmade Christmas, full of creative, budget-friendly fun for all the family. From stained-glass window cookies to fir cone garlands and homemade decorations, there’ll be plenty to get stuck into.

Have a frightfully fun half-term!