Thrifty mum shares how she takes children out for free - Birmingham Live

Thrifty mum shares how she takes children out for free Natalie Smith, from Kent, has shared her top tips on how to save money when it comes to family holidays - as well as her secrets for

finding free day tripsCommentsNewsGraeme Brown and SWNSImogenHowse (Imogen Howse)08:43, 02 Jun 2025 A self-proclaimed "thrifty" mum has revealed her top tips for budget-friendly family

holidays, including how to find FREE day trips.

Natalie Smith is adamant that there are numerous ways to organise enjoyable activities for your family without spending a fortune.

‌ She points out that many organisations provide free entry for children at their venues and events, but they often don't publicise it - so you need to know where to look.

‌ Read more: Two gunned down by 'Spanish gangsters'

When it comes to holidays, Natalie, who blogs full-time, believes that planning is crucial, especially when it comes to checking if hotels or resorts include any activities or other benefits

in the price.

She also advises being flexible - possibly scheduling trips around the cheapest flight dates - or considering alternative options, such as driving to various European countries.

Article continues below Natalie is confident that her advice works, as she and her husband Jason have been using these strategies for years to take their children Finn, 14, and Lola, 12, on

numerous unforgettable trips.

Natalie, 35, said: "We started living like this because we had such a small income when the kids were younger that we knew if we wanted to take them on holidays and trips, we'd have to

change things.

"Things are easier now, but it becomes a way of life so we're still budgeters. It's what suits our values.

‌ "We'd rather do lots of things than have lots of things - so we scrimp in some places to make sure we can travel and have amazing experiences."

‌ Natalie, from Dymchurch, Kent, shares how she manages to keep the kids entertained on a budget and her tips are pure gold for families looking to save.

She revealed: "My biggest tip is to get a Blue Peter badge. These get kids into over 200 attractions across the UK - including theme parks, zoos, museums, gardens etc. - all for free.

"Those badges are worth their weight in gold."

‌ She continued with more savvy advice: "Another tip would be to use your Tesco Clubcard points. You don't have to just use them in the shop - you can also put them towards events and days

out. Just check the app."

She also recommends making the most of free activities available close to home.

"I'd also suggest making use of your surroundings. If you're in a city - or if you want to take a day trip to a city - a lot of stuff is free, like museums, parks, or lidos for the summer.

‌ "Take a picnic and that's still a no-spend day out."

For those enjoying rural life, she suggests creative and cost-free outdoor pursuits.

"If you're in the countryside, use the beach, use the woods. Something like Geocaching - where you hunt for geocaches - can make a walk really fun without having to spend money."

‌ On top of that, Natalie highlighted some transport perks travellers should be aware of.

"Train companies offer good deals too. National Rail does a Two For One, where you can get a London activity, like a River Thames boat cruise, included in the price of your ticket.

"And on Southeastern Rail kids can travel for £1."

‌ She points out that these types of offers often fly under the radar.

"There are lots of these offers out there but companies don't actively advertise them so people aren't aware."

Finally, Natalie encourages those on a tight budget not to dismiss holidays altogether due to cost concerns.

‌ Natalie also says that holidays don't have to be unattainable for people struggling with money - as there are plenty of ways to cut back on costs.

Travel enthusiast Natalie divulged some savvy tips for affordable family holidays, emphasising the advantage of looking for 'per party' pricing. "One piece of simple advice I give people is

to pick somewhere that offers a 'per party' price rather than a 'per person' price. Then it doesn't matter if you have lots of kids."

‌ She also recommended seeking out destinations where entertainment is included at no extra cost. "Also try to pick a destination that offers free things to do - included in your

accommodation cost."

Natalie went on to explain how certain resorts can enhance the value of a trip. "So, there are lots of places where you can do water sports for free - or which include passes to local theme

parks etc."

Recalling one of her travels, she highlighted the benefits of stays that come with complimentary access to attractions. "We went to a resort in the Netherlands once which offered free access

to attractions nearby - and had a safari park onsite.

‌ "This arrangement provided plenty of activity options without additional expense," she said. "So that gave us things to do without having to spend while we were out there."

Planning ahead is crucial for keeping costs down according to Natalie. "So I'd say looking at those things and almost planning out your itinerary in advance can save you a fortune once

you're out there."

For those with wanderlust, Natalie has tricks for snagging economical flights but importantly notes the perks of overland travel within Europe. When it comes to travel, Natalie has some top

tips for finding cheap flights - but also encourages families to consider driving if they're holidaying in Europe.

‌ She shared how to use flight comparison tools effectively to manage travel costs. "When it comes to flights, Skyscanner is your best friend. If we have a specific destination in mind, then

we'll be flexible with dates - and maybe plan the whole trip around which day the flight is cheapest."

Natalie reflected on the spontaneity of booking tickets based on affordability. "If we don't mind where we go, we'll search for the cheapest flights to 'everywhere', and plan around that."

Ultimately, she advocates for road trips as not just cost-effective, but enriching travel experiences. "Otherwise though, we tend to drive as much as possible - because of how cheap ferries

are."

‌ Her personal adventures by car span several European countries. "We've driven to France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and more - and the driving becomes part of the fun.

"Recently we did a trip driving around Germany, Austria, and Italy, and spent around four days in each spot we stopped at - camping at local camp sites.

"We planned activities for each place and it meant every moment was great.

‌ "One day, we were walking up mountains in Austria and the next we were at the canals in Venice, Italy.

"And I just think sometimes you can spend a whole day trying to get a flight - when you consider driving to the airport, going through security, waiting to board, getting the flight, then

getting your hire car on the other side.

"So it's something to consider."

‌ Natalie says that she and her family also look for ways they can cut back on spending throughout the year - so they can put money aside for their holidays.

This includes batch cooking to save on groceries, always taking flasks out to avoid buying coffee, and even having dad Jason learn to cut son Finn's hair so they don't have any barber fees.

Natalie said: "We batch cook a lot and always meal prep so we know what we need and what we're using for the week.

‌ "I also take a flask everywhere so I don't buy coffee - and just switch small things like cycling instead of taking the bus for any journeys I can.

"We've learnt to do what we can for ourselves. We clean our own windows and Jason used a YouTube video to learn how to cut our son's hair.

‌ "I just think it's all about making small changes. Obviously, money is extremely tight for a lot of people. We've been there so we know.

"But I do think just trying to save where you can - it can make life more affordable.

"If you don't buy a coffee or lunch out - then you could save £5 a day. £5 a day adds up to £1,825 a year.

Article continues below "That's a great budget for a family holiday."

For more of Natalie's money-saving advice, head over to her blog at https://www.frugalmum.co.uk/.