THE holidays are almost upon us, and many parents will be scratching their heads as to how to keep their kids entertained.
Luckily for you, we’ve scoured the best deals available this half term – with a little help from Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis.
From discounted cinema tickets to epic days out, here are 10 of the ultimate bargains on offer this October break.
Cheap cinema tickets
To help keep the whole family entertained this October half term, ODEON are running its ODEON Kids screenings every day during the school holidays.
For selected films, adult and kids tickets at Odeon cinemas are just £2.50.
You can either book online or turn up on the day and gamble there’ll be seats available.
If you live nearer a Vue cinema, children aged 2-12 can get £1.99 tickets to selected morning movies at weekends and during the holidays with the Kids AM offer.
Even better – accompanying adults can also get in for the same price.
If you’re more of a Cineworld goer, order tickets online for morning showings during half term and both adults and children pay just £1.80 (or £2 on-the-door) with the Movies for Juniors offer.
Recently released films you can watch include Finding Dory and The Secret Life of Pets.
Discounted Theme Park entry
Often theme park ticket prices are almost as scary as the rides themselves.
But there are ways to get around paying full whack.
This half term, keep an eye out for promotional packs of Kellogg’s cereal and snacks – including Frosties, Crunchy Nut, Rice Krispies and Squares – to nab a ‘Grown-Ups Go Free’ voucher valid for 32 Merlin theme parks and attractions.
If you shop at Tesco, it’s worth cashing in your Clubcard points and transferring them to vouchers for participating theme parks using the Boost scheme.
They’re often worth up to three or four times the value.
You can also pick up 2for1 vouchers on promotional packs of Cadbury chocolate.
With Halloween just around the corner, Alton Towers is once more running its spooktacular ScareFest event, where the park is open until 9pm – a guaranteed thriller of a day out.
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Get a Kids Pass
Kids Pass members get access to more than 5,000 offers, including kids eat free, up to 40 per cent off cinema tickets and 2for1 bowling at 32 MFA bowling centres.
Normally these would set you back around £25, but if you sign up to the MoneySavingExpert deal by January 17, 2017, you can blag a 100-day membership for just £1.
Just make sure you cancel at the end of it to avoid being automatically enrolled into a year’s membership.
Dine out for free
Treat your little ones to a meal out this half term by taking advantage of the ‘Kids Eat Free’ offer at participating restaurants.
Those signed up include Bella Italia, Las Iguanas, Jamie’s Italian, Crown Carveries and The Real Greek.
Hit the zoo
If you happen to live in Edinburgh, kids can go free to the city zoo with a ScotRail ticket.
Otherwise there are plenty of other deals out there that help slash the price of this often expensive day out.
If you buy a National Rail ticket and sign up to the Days Out Guide, you can claim a 2for1 offer for entry to a number of the country’s best zoos.
Several are also signed up to the Tesco Clubcard Boost scheme – cashing in your points could get you up to 75 per cent off entry.
Free sport
While the temperature’s dropped, it’s still not THAT cold.
Get your kids enjoying the great outdoors this half term by taking advantage of the free sporting activities on offer in your area.
FA Skills are running a football coaching programme throughout the school hols for boys and girls aged 5-11.
To encourage more women into the sport, girls can sign up for free, while for boys it costs between £3 and £5.
If tennis is more your child’s thing, it’s worth checking out Tennis for Free’s website to find out where there’s free ongoing coaching sessions in your town.
If you’re a keen runner, get your little ones involved – children aged 4-14 can take part for free in weekly 2K Parkruns all over the UK on Sunday mornings.
Bag a free activity holiday
Teenagers in England and Northern Ireland aged 16-17 can apply to the National Citizen Service for a one-week programme which includes activities like canoeing, climbing and hiking, concluding with a team project in the community.
It’s a government-run scheme and is either free via a bursary, or capped at £50, with all meals included as part of the deal.
Click here for more information.
Join an audience club
Love The X Factor?
Why not sign up to Applause Store, where you can put your name down to be in the live audience for the ITV talent show, as well as Bang On The Money and The Big Friday Wind-up.
Make sure you check the recommended age limits for each show before you commit.
Get your culture fix
Don’t forget that most museums and galleries in this country are free of charge – and many boast loads of interactive things for kids to get involved in.
Check out MoneySavingExpert’s Free Museums & Galleries guide to find your nearest.
Get outdoors
If you’re an English Heritage member, you can get free entry for up to SIX kids under 18 (and within your family group) accompanied by an adult.
Places to visit include Stonehenge, Hadrian’s Wall and Dover Castle.
See the complete list here.