I'm a spendthrift mum who saved £24k in a year – my 8 tips to have a totally free & fun half-term with the kids | The Sun

FORMER high-flyer Kel Galavan quit her job – but still managed to save an astonishing £24k that year. 

The mum-of-two, from Kildare, 30 miles west of Dublin, lives with husband Dave, 45, an IT worker, and their kids, aged 12 and nine.

Exhausted by the rat race and keen to spend more time with her family she decided to walk away from a job she loved – and now she works as a money-saving expert. 

Now she tells Fabulous how to save money over half-term:

The half-term break is a great time for kids to relax and have some fun, but it can be challenging to keep them entertained when they're out of school and you're on a tight budget or no budget at all.

The good news is that there are plenty of fun and quirky activities that you can do with your kids that don't require spending much money.

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From movie marathons and game tournaments to science experiments and nature scavenger hunts, there are endless possibilities for keeping kids entertained and engaged during midterms break. 

These activities provide fun and memorable times for kids, encourage them to use their imagination and creativity, and teach the valuable lesson that having fun doesn't always require spending money.

Have a film marathon

Have a movie marathon – pick a theme, like all Disney movies, or choose movies featuring a favourite actor.

Make it even more fun by creating themed snacks to match the film you'll be watching.

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Encourage your kids to get involved in the snack-making process, too, keeping them busy and saving you time and money.

Games tournaments

Have a game tournament – gather up board games and video games that your kids enjoy, and host a tournament, invite the neighbour's kids too!

You can divide your kids into teams or play one-on-one matches.

You could also make it even more fun by creating special rules or incorporating physical challenges into the tournament.

Art of the matter

Get creative with art supplies – gather old magazines, scissors, glue, and markers and let your kids create their own collages or scrapbooks.

Encourage them to get creative and express themselves through their art.

Baking challenge

Do a baking challenge – pick a recipe everyone can help with, like cookies or brownies.

Gather the ingredients and let your kids get involved in the baking process.

Have fun tasting and critiquing each other's creations, and see who can bake the best dessert.

Living room picnic

Have a picnic in the living room – this is great for the imagination on a chilly midterm afternoon.

Spread out a blanket, gather some snacks and drinks, and have a picnic in the comfort of your own home.

Encourage your kids to get involved in preparing the snacks and setting up the picnic.

This can be a fun and cosy way to spend time together.

Science experiments

Do a science experiment – find a fun and simple science experiment online, like making slime or growing crystals.

Gather the materials and let your kids help with the experiment.

This is a great way to engage their curious minds and encourage their interest in science.

A talent show

Have a talent show – let your kids show off their talents, whether it's singing, dancing, playing an instrument, or something else.

Encourage them to practice and perform their best.

This can be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone involved.

A scavenger hunt

Do a nature scavenger hunt – create a list of items to find in the backyard or a nearby park, like different types of leaves or insects.

Take a walk together and see who can find the most items on the list.

This fun and educational activity gets kids outside and exploring nature.

Each of these ideas is designed to be fun and quirky, but most of all, they are a way for parents and kids to spend quality time together and create lasting memories.

It's important to teach kids that having fun and being entertained doesn't always require spending money.

By having fun with these fun and quirky activities, kids can learn the value of using their imagination and creativity to enjoy their time away from school.

They'll also learn that spending quality time with family is more important than any material possession or experience.

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Teaching kids to have fun without spending money is a valuable life skill. In the future, they'll be able to entertain themselves and find joy in everyday experiences instead of relying on expensive activities or things.

But for now, you can relax knowing that midterm does not have to break the bank and still keep the kids wildly entertained. 

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