{"id":132472,"date":"2023-10-22T11:55:50","date_gmt":"2023-10-22T11:55:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bluemull.com\/?p=132472"},"modified":"2023-10-22T11:55:50","modified_gmt":"2023-10-22T11:55:50","slug":"im-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","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bluemull.com\/beauty-and-fashion\/im-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\/","title":{"rendered":"I'm a spendthrift mum who saved \u00a324k in a year – my 8 tips to have a totally free & fun half-term with the kids | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"
WITH the kids off for a week for half-term, you might be panicking about what to do with them, but also conscious about keeping costs low as Christmas is not far away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kel Galavan quit her job after being exhausted by the rat race, and keen to spend more time with her family.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Now, she works as a money-saving guru, sharing her tips with her families, and she told Fabulous exclusively how she saves money over half term, after she saved an astonishing \u00a324k in a year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The mum-of-two, from Kildare, 30 miles west of\u00a0Dublin, lives with husband Dave, 45, an IT worker, and their kids, aged 12 and nine.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Have a movie marathon – pick a theme, like all Disney movies, or choose movies featuring a favourite actor. <\/p>\n Make it even more fun by creating themed snacks to match the film you'll be watching. <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Encourage your kids to get involved in the snack-making process, too, keeping them busy and saving you time and money.<\/p>\n 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! <\/p>\n You can divide your kids into teams or play one-on-one matches. <\/p>\n You could also make it even more fun by creating special rules or incorporating physical challenges into the tournament.<\/p>\n Get creative with art supplies – gather old magazines, scissors, glue, and markers and let your kids create their own collages or scrapbooks.<\/p>\n Encourage them to get creative and express themselves through their art.<\/p>\n Do a baking challenge – pick a recipe everyone can help with, like cookies or brownies. <\/p>\n Gather the ingredients and let your kids get involved in the baking process. <\/p>\n Have fun tasting and critiquing each other's creations, and see who can bake the best dessert.<\/p>\n Have a picnic in the living room – this is great for the imagination on a chilly midterm afternoon. <\/p>\n Spread out a blanket, gather some snacks and drinks, and have a picnic in the comfort of your own home. <\/p>\n Encourage your kids to get involved in preparing the snacks and setting up the picnic. <\/p>\n This can be a fun and cosy way to spend time together.<\/p>\n Do a science experiment – find a fun and simple science experiment online, like making slime or growing crystals.<\/p>\n Gather the materials and let your kids help with the experiment. <\/p>\n This is a great way to engage their curious minds and encourage their interest in science.<\/p>\n Have a talent show – let your kids show off their talents, whether it's singing, dancing, playing an instrument, or something else. <\/p>\n Encourage them to practice and perform their best. <\/p>\n This can be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone involved.<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n Take a walk together and see who can find the most items on the list. <\/p>\n This fun and educational activity gets kids outside and exploring nature.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n It's important to teach kids that having fun and being entertained doesn't always require spending money. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n They'll also learn that spending quality time with family is more important than any material possession or experience.<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n But for now, you can relax knowing that midterm does not have to break the bank and still keep the kids wildly entertained.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/picture>NAME SHAME <\/span><\/p>\n
I\u2019m a baby name pro – trolls say my kids have the ugliest names, they\u2019re jealous<\/h3>\n
<\/picture>BARGAIN HUNTER <\/span><\/p>\n
I've saved \u00a326k buying second-hand stuff for my kids – including old nappies<\/h3>\n
Have a film marathon<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Most read in Fabulous<\/h2>\n
<\/picture>MIND THE GAP <\/span><\/p>\n
I\u2019m 43 – my toyboy is pals with my son & we celebrated birthdays at soft play<\/h3>\n
<\/picture>IN THE HOT SEAT <\/span><\/p>\n
Alesha & I love David \u2013 it was sad when he went, says Amanda Holden on BGT<\/h3>\n
<\/picture>YULE SEE <\/span><\/p>\n
I\u2019m a gypsy & this is what Christmas is like – from decorations to lavish gifts<\/h3>\n
<\/picture>WORK IT OUT <\/span><\/p>\n
Gym-goer leaves people stunned as she turned up to exercise \u2018without trousers\u2019<\/h3>\n
Games tournaments<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Art of the matter<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
Baking challenge<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Living room picnic<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Science experiments<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
A talent show<\/strong><\/h2>\n
A scavenger hunt<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Read More on The Sun<\/h2>\n
<\/picture>Tent trick <\/span><\/p>\n
Rain doesn't stop me from drying my clothes outside – my method's tried & tested<\/h3>\n
<\/picture>THAT'S A WRAP <\/span><\/p>\n
Quality Street fans mourn 'part of Christmas gone' after Nestle makes change<\/h3>\n