We’ve put together some fab free and cheap places to go with your toddler.
These are places to escape the four walls and where your little one can burn some of their boundless energy. Especially when it’s cold and rainy.
Some of these may not sound too thrilling. But those that sound like simple or mundane trips to us feel like a wonderland for toddlers, so try them out! A day of exploring for your kids doesn’t need to break the bank.
1. Your local library
Make your local library a weekly go-to. Your toddler will love reading and choosing a pile of books to take home. Often you can ask for colouring sheets and crayons to sit down and enjoy some creative time together in a cosy corner. And libraries also hold free (or cheap) story telling and activity sessions too.
2. The garden centre
We don’t mean to buy plants! Although that’s certainly an option. Garden centres are actually a great place to go with little ones. There are loads of places to explore – running down paths to see all the plants and flowers, stopping to look at the water feature displays. Some even have pets or fish for sale, which your child will love looking at too.
Garden centres often have fab shops – with loads of books and things your little one will love to look at. And almost every one has a great cafe so you can stop to refuel with coffee (for you) and cake (for both of you)
3. Your local pet store
These are like free min-zoos in a toddler’s eyes. There’s so much fun to be had. Your child can look at all the pets – hamsters, goldfish, chinchillas and all. There are often child friendly pet sessions too – especially in the school holidays.
4. Baby & toddler classes
Whether it’s once or twice a week booking a baby or toddler class gives you and your child a reason to get out of the house and a session where you can meet and socialise with others. They’re great fun. And give you a chance to find support and friendship, which might lead to other play dates and meet ups too. There’s a bunch of cheap or free classes being offered on Happity, including church groups and community groups. Check us out to find classes near you.
5. Soft play
Little ones LOVE soft play! And entry prices are often pretty reasonable too. This is a great option on rainy or cold days. There’s often a cafe too to eke out your visit.
6. Free and cheap places to go with your toddler – Museums
We love museums. They’re mostly free and there’s so much to entertain little kids. Buttons to press, interactive displays, interesting things to see. Museums often hold free kid’s activity events too – especially during school holidays. It’s well worth a visit. Or two. Or three!
7. Parks and playgrounds
Little ones love play parks. Many a happy afternoon can be spent on the swings and slides – whatever the weather. Take snacks or a picnic to make your trip last longer or visit a cafe on the way back to warm up and refuel.
8. Take a trip on the train
Head to a town or city near you for a fab day out. For little ones, the journey on a busy train is as exciting as the destination. Off peak tickets are a great price too meaning a day out by train is cost effective. And on National Rail, under 5s actually travel for free with fare-paying passengers! Check with your rail line’s website to find out more.
9. Animal farm
City farms are a toddler’s mecca. They’re often free or cheap for entry, and your little one will love seeing all the animals up close. There are often play parks, cafes and kid’s activities too. Even better, some offer petting zoo opportunities so your child can hold and stroke rabbits and feed lambs.
10. Castles
Castles are amazing places to explore with kids. You can often buy family memberships to make them more affordable. Try The National Trust, English Heritage and Historic Scotland for castles to visit near you.
11. Charity shop rummaging
Charity shops are exciting places for your toddler. There are loads of cheap toys to browse and buy. You can give your child a few pounds to pick out a toy to take home. And have lots of fun looking at what’s on offer before making your purchase.
12. Hit the beach
Even in autumn and winter beaches are a child’s paradise. Wrap up warm and enjoy beach walks and building sandcastles and collecting shells. You can take along some toys to play games – such as a ball or a kite. And a picnic with a flask of hot chocolate is the prefect way to top off your visit.
13. Explore a mall
Shopping malls have loads of space for toddlers to roam, and places to explore. You don’t have to go into the shops, just enjoy the space.
14. School fayres
Schools often hold fayres and family events throughout the year and these are great places to visit with little ones. There are games and activities as well as really cheap stalls selling second hand books and toys. Look out for local school events near you for a fun and cheap day out.
15. Toddler groups
Baby & toddler groups are often either free or only cost a pound or two to attend. You almost always get a cuppa and a biscuit too! There will be local toddler groups near you – often held in church or community halls. You can find lots of toddler groups on Happity too.
16. Swimming pool
Pools are not free but there are often family deals and discounts. They are a great place to go on cold and wet days to burn off some of that toddler energy.
17. Country park
So many country parks have beautiful grounds for walks and play parks too. There are often activities for children – especially in the school holidays. And great cafes an places to grab snacks too. You’ll be surprised at just how much you can do in your local country park.
18. Your local bookshop
Not only great places to browse and choose a new book. But lots will have storytelling sessions for little ones too. Check if any of your local book shops have some activities running that you can join in.
19. Free and cheap places to go with your toddler – Toy library
Like libraries – but for toys instead of books. You can browse and choose toys to borrow and take home for a while. Then come back and replace them with others the next week. If you don’t have a toy library near you there are online toy libraries – such as Whirli
Are you looking for spooktacular baby classes this Halloween?
We’ll help you to find ways to keep your creepy crawlers entertained this October. These seasonal specials are always a lot of fun, and we highly recommend you trying one. Take it easy, and we’ll make sure that the screaming is kept to a minimal (for them and you!) with this handy list of spooky special classses.
You can find all of these classes on Happity, but we’ll provide their class listing links below.
(Want to appear on the Happity Halloween baby classes of 2022 list? List your classes today for free, or find out more here)
Happy Halloween!
BB Broadway(London)
Mercato Metropolitano (Greater London, SE1 6DR)
Name: BB BROADWAY TODDLER AND ME: HALLOWEEN WEEK
Description: “Your usual BB Broadway class with a spooktacular twist! Come along in your best fancy dress (baby pumpkins encouraged!) and join us for a wicked and wonderful time!”
Description: “Your usual BB Broadway class with a spooktacular twist! Come along in your best fancy dress (baby pumpkins encouraged!) and join us for a wicked and wonderful time!”
Name: Bring your baby guided London Walk: Halloween ghost walk of fleet street & the temple inns of court
Description: “‘Bring Your Baby’ Guided London Walks are sensitively devised to suit parents and carers of even the tiniest babies to enjoy London’s history. We stop whenever you like to feed and change – without the stress of feeling you are holding up the group. Because every participant brings their baby, patience and baby’s needs are at the forefront of each walk.
What you’ll see and hear about: – St. Bride’s Church, with a sinister connection to the founding of Virginia in America and a season theme of the ‘American Horror Story’ TV series… and was where thousands of bodies were found sealed up in the walls… – ‘Hanging Sword Alley’, site of criminal’s drinking den ‘Blood Bowl House’. – Remains of 13th century Whitefriars Monastery. -And more!”
Name: Free family friendly Halloween trick or treat trail
Description:
“Halloween is a great time of year for children to dress up and eat copious amounts of naughty treats! This year I have put together a FREE family friendly ‘Halloween Trick or Treat Trail’ which will take you on a journey in and around Covent Garden. Along the way you will explore areas of Covent Garden you may never have been to before, as well as testing your observation skills and learning some fun facts…But best of all, you will bag yourself some awesome treats from some fang-tastic contributors!
You can select the day and time you wish to do the trail – it is unguided, so do it at your own leisure. All you need to do is download the trail and head to Covent Garden on 28th, 29th or 30th October 2022. The trail is absolutely best to follow when printed out, however, you can read it on a smart device should (like me) your printer rarely have ink!”
Description: “Join us for the fun class of Halloween. Dressing up is encouraged. We will do a fun skeleton dance and play some games. Candies would be available as well.”
Description: “Join us for the fun class of Halloween. Dressing up is encouraged. We will do a fun skeleton dance and play some games. Candies would be available as well.”
Discover Children’s Story Centre (London, E15 4QZ)
Name: Halloween Trail
Description: “Look out for witches, wizards, spiders and a whole manner of spooky stories hidden in our trail of petrifying pictures. Pick up an activity sheet from reception and follow our Halloween trail around the Story Worlds. Created by students of the City Lit Children’s Illustration Course.”
“This Halloween, we will be hosting a Monster Madness Camp for all children aged 3-8 years.
We want to see you dressed to your best with a fancy dress costume (not essential). Children will enjoy spooky themed games/activities, have full use of all equipment in the gym, enjoy structured gymnastics circuits and themed crafts. Lastly, children will chill out and enjoy a small snack!”
“Calling all little Monsters aged 6 months – 3 years, we will be hosting a Halloween event just for you!
We want to see the best costumes (not essential) and share some fun sensory games/play time with little ones and their families. A small gift given to each Little Monster who attends!”
“Calling all Monsters this Halloween, we want to see your BEST dress up for this event as we play ‘Pumpkin Hunt’, Spooky Monster themed games, and a Halloween Disco!”
Description: “Join us for some pumpkin fun this week at Host Of Leyton for our Pop Up event. Witches stew and potion making, messy play and more. 90 minutes stay and play session which includes a baby ballet taster from KCK baby ballet. Snack and story included.”
Name: Halloween baby classes pop-up at Creative Biscuit
Description: “Come for live nursery rhymes and original children’s songs on guitar and ukulele by singer-songwriter Marisa. Children and adults can sing and dance along and try out different instruments and interact with puppets and toys.”
Name: Curious minds baby sensory room – Halloween Special
Description: “This class will have a halloween theme. So lots of halloween themed activity stations and lights. We will also be making some halloween keepsakes to take home. Our photographer will also be attending to set up a halloween photoshoot.”
Description: “A spooktacularly special twist on our usual messy play and mark-making classes. Join us so your little one can make their mark with spooky slime, creepy cobwebs, petrifying pumpkins and more! Costumes encouraged!”
Description: “A spooktacularly special twist on our usual messy play and mark-making classes. Join us so your little one can make their mark with spooky slime, creepy cobwebs, petrifying pumpkins and more! Costumes encouraged!”
Description: “A spooktacularly special twist on our usual messy play and mark-making classes. Join us so your little one can make their mark with spooky slime, creepy cobwebs, petrifying pumpkins and more! Costumes encouraged!”
Description: “An exciting mixture of music, drama and sensory play with all your favourite Halloween tunes. There’ll be a prize for the most creative outfit in each class! Zip Zap combines traditional nursery rhymes with upbeat and lively pop songs, which will have children and carers alike bopping along to the funky beats.”
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