Top Discounts for Family Activities This Summer

Jennifer Birtles 21st Jul 2020 2 Comments

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Throughout lockdown, many of us have struggled with a lack of entertainment and boredom. We quickly ran out of family activities to do when everyone was bored and stuck at home.

Now, as summer returns, so does a bit more of our freedom and there are plenty of ways to enjoy it. Whether you want to take a trip to your local for a pint, have a family meal out, go for a day trip, or even plan a staycation. We’ve rounded up some of the best discounts so you can enjoy family activities without breaking the bank.

Food and Eating Out
Entertainment and Activities
Holidays and Staycations
More Useful Reading

food and eating out

We can go out to pubs, cafes, and restaurants again – so here’s how to make the most of discounts on offer to save money while you’re having a delicious time!

eat out to help out

At the beginning of the month the government announced the launch of their Eat Out to Help Out scheme. It runs throughout August, allowing you to get 50% off your food and non-alcoholic drinks up to a value of £10 per person when dining in on Monday to Wednesdays.

The full list of businesses participating in this scheme is due to be released next week, but so far it includes: All Bar One, Browns, Nando’s, and Wagamama’s. You don’t need a voucher – the discount will automatically be available at all participating establishments. Posters are available for businesses to display if they wish, to promote their participation in the scheme.

You’ll receive the discount every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in August. There are no limits on how many times you are able to use it and in theory, it can also be used in conjunction with other discounts and vouchers for an even cheaper meal! However, it may be worthwhile checking with individual restaurants what their policy around this is.

It’s also worth looking at other discounts run by restaurants at the same time – some may allow you to take advantage of 2 for 1 deals AND get the Eat Out to Help Out discount!

tastecard

The Tastecard offers some great discounts on eating out and takeaways across thousands of restaurants. There are plenty of 2 for 1 deals and 50% off offers, as well as half price on Pizza Hut and Domino’s deliveries, and offers for collection takeaways.

Whether you fancy an evening out or just want to order in there’s no need to pay full price with so many options to choose from. Tastecard’s cooperating restaurants include many popular UK chains such as Pizza Express, Prezzo, Zizzi, Chiquito and Byron.

The card offers a free 30-day trial, after which it costs £6.99 a month. Make the most of an Exclusive Tastecard Offer, giving you 3 months free! It’s a great deal to make the most of over the summer months as you look for family activities, and if it’s not something that’s for you, you can easily cancel during your trial at no cost. After that, you can pay monthly too – so if you find you’re not using it, just cancel that month rather than pay a full year in advance.

meerkat meals

If you’re looking for a new insurance policy, planning on applying for credit, or thinking about switching energy provider – why not do it through Compare the Meerkat. When you compare and buy through their site you qualify for an annual Meerkat Meals and Movies membership. Meerkat meals offer 2 for 1 on three course meals Sunday through to Thursday at thousands of qualifying restaurants. Additionally, with Meerkat Movies you receive 2 for 1 cinema tickets every Tuesday and Wednesday for an entire year.

Obviously, don’t buy any new products unnecessarily, but if there’s a purchase you already needed to make, consider doing it through Compare the Meerkat to benefit from their deals. View this list to check which products will qualify you for the Meerkat membership.

entertainment and activities

Shake off the doldrums and get out and about with your family! Venues and activities are reopening slowly but surely – always check the website for details before you make the journey.

rumble live

Rumble Live Action Gaming is a great family activity that is not only unique but a brilliant day out, too. It is a family friendly high-tech, outdoor adventure of laser tag. You get to act like you’re in one of your favourite video games, but this time complete your missions for real, not just on your screen.

Based off the A1 in Cambridgeshire, easily accessible by car, this is an easy way to have socially distanced fun with friends and family this summer.

Rumble Live are welcoming customers back by offering a 25% discount throughout July! You can also enter our competition to win tickets for a free day out live action gaming for a group of 6!

Kids Pass

Kids Pass is an excellent place to look when searching for discounts on family activities. They offer an initial 30-day trial for just a £1, costing just £2.99 a month after that.

An abundance of offers are available, with discounts as large as 60% off. You can find massive savings on family days out to Edinburgh or ZSL London Zoo, Go Ape, Alton Towers, Legoland, Sea Life Centre, The London Dungeon, and loads more.

Kids Pass also offer 150 deals on mini breaks and holidays, including partnerships with various theme parks, Away Resorts, and Butlins. You can also get great deals on camping and caravan holidays for a truly budget trip!

tastecard

If you’re interested in making the most of the Tastecard free trial by checking out some of the many discounts at:

Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Sea Life
Thorpe Park
Alton Towers and Alton Towers Resort Hotels
Chessington World of Adventures
Legoland

cinema

Cinemas are opening again from the end of the month with socially distanced rules and plans in place. If, like me, you’ve missed being able to enjoy films on a big screen it’ll be nice seeing them open again.

KidsPass offers 40% off adult and child cinema tickets ,7 days a week, and is available at 10 different cinema brands with over 400 locations nationwide.

Meerkat Movies operates in Odeon cinemas and offers a whole year of 2 for 1 cinema tickets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Groupon

Groupon is always a popular choice for finding brilliant deals on days out and family activities. Easily filter your search the type of activity you’re looking for and your location and you’ll receive an influx of ideas all at a much cheaper price than buying directly.

With already massive savings of up to 72% off, take an extra 20% discount on getaways with the code WELCOME. Remember, too, if you go via a cashback site like TopCashBack or Quidco, you could earn cashback on your Groupon purchase to make even MORE savings, too!

holidays and staycations

If your spring or summer holiday was cancelled, don’t let it ruin your joy. Take your family on a staycation – or even consider getting a last-minute travel deal abroad! Always check the Ts and Cs when it comes to refunds though, just in case you can’t travel due to quarantine etc.

tui

If you still have hopes set on escaping abroad this summer, check out TUI for some great last minute deals.

At the moment, they’re also offering 97 holidays with free child places. Allowing you to take your kids away without paying a penny for them. Check it out here for more information.

travel zoo

Travel Zoo are currently offering a variety of different refundable deals so that you can grab a great deal now with peace of mind that if circumstances change or you can no longer travel, you will be able to get your money back with ease. With the unpredictability of 2020 and COVID-19, this is a great option. Although, we hope everyone will be able to enjoy summer holidays and activities without any trouble.

Staycations and Camping

If you’re not tempted to go abroad any time soon, take a look at the wide variety of staycations on offer in the UK. Camping is a great way to save lots of money while having a fun family holiday, or look at lastminute.com for some city breaks on the cheap.

Top Discounts for Family Activities This Summer