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The Marsden family hits their local cinema for cheaper movie tickets during the summer holidays. Picture: David Swift Source: News Corp Australia
KEEPING kids entertained during school holidays will never be a drag on your hip pocket again with our guide on where to find cheap or free family fun.
Making each day an adventure for boundless balls of energy or bored teens can be draining both physically and financially.
But if you make a weekly activity plan before the holidays begin and stick with it, says psychologist and parenting author Dr Justin Coulson, you’re off to a good start.
“If you don’t have a plan, you’ll go for the lazy options, and they cost the most. An hour or two of planning saves hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, Coulson says.
The Coulsons spent under $500 during a recent ten-day break keeping the six children entertained. “We make our own fun and take our own food, and it ultimately costs very little,†he says.
WHERE’S THE CHEAP STUFF?
Some of the best discounts for families come from companies we spend money with all year around. Internet and mobile phone providers, health insurers, motorists associations offer members everything from free latest DVD releases, discounted movies and concert tickets to cut-price entry to theme parks and major sporting games.
We found discounts up to 45 per cent at Telstra, BUPA, NRMA and RACQ.
Or jump online for vouchers available to everyone at sites such as Finder for discounts on circus workshops, cooking classes, boat rides, horse riding the zoo and more.
No vouchers? No problem, look for independent cinemas outside of high-rent shopping centres for cheap movie tickets.
Sydney mum of three Genene Marsden saves almost $40 on movie tickets each visit for her family by simply choosing the cheaper movie theatres in her suburb.
“The more affordable Odean Theatre is just as good as any other, the tickets are as little as $8 each and it also offers really good discounts on the food so the kids can have a few treats as well,†Marsden says.
Genene and Chris Marsden with their children, Jonah 13, Claudia 11 and Isaac 4 at the Odeon cinema in Sydney’s Hornsby. Source: News Corp Australia
FREE STUFF
There are many reputable Australian sites offering free samples from major companies as well as discount vouches on activities that can keep your family clicking all holiday long.
Save money with sites such as Free Samples Australia and PINCHme which aggregate promotions and trial-size offers from manufacturers.
Also check out Shopadocket for coupons and vouchers for free or discounted theme park entry, pizza, fast food, restaurants, cafes, videos, travel and accommodation.
There are dozens of sites offering free ebooks. The Gutenberg Project has over 46,000 free e-books available. Free e-Books and Bookyard have more free literature available than you could read in any school holiday.
CASH IN ON CARDS
Don’t underestimate the power of store reward cards. Chances are you spend quite a bit of money at your local supermarket, so swipe your card every time you shop, activate those emails offering you more points, these can be traded in for movie vouchers, entertainment, meals and the like, and again can be saved up to be used during your family break.
KIDS EAT FOR FREE
There are thousands of restaurants and pubs across the country offering free meals for kids, usually with the purchase of a regular-priced adult meal. Check out Great Food Great Value and Oz Bargain for child-friendly venues and family meal deals. All capital cities have their own sites for families in search of meal deals so look them up before heading out.
Take advantage of the free events in shopping centres — from craft and cooking workshops to sporting clinics — as well as libraries, museums and art galleries. Inquire a couple of weeks before the holidays begin, as most require bookings to secure your child’s place.
COMPUTER GAMES
Top title computer games for kids can cost anything from $50 upwards. But there are loads of free gaming websites, such as the appropriately named Play Free Games and Free Games. If it’s best-selling games you’re after, most game makers will allow you to download a demo.
GREEN THUMB FUN
Community gardens help teach kids how to grow food and plants. Consult your city council for the nearest to you. A veg patch can cost hundreds of dollars to set up at home, so community gardens are a good option if you are short on cash and space.
For families who want to build a backyard garden and don’t mind owning second-hand equipment, save a bundle on spades, hoes, hoses, watering cans and more at OzRecycle, Freecycle, and Gumtree.