23 fun things to do with no money

Are you challenging yourself to a no spend month? Maybe you’re just trying to cut back on the amount you spend during your down time.

Or perhaps you just want one no spend weekend to give your bank balance a little breather.

Whatever the reason you might be looking for no spend activities there are so many options out there for fun stuff to do that doesn’t cost you a penny.

One of the best things about challenging yourself to find free family fun is that you can end up discovering some pretty cool places.

It puts you out of your usual comfort zone and habits, and challenges you to find new places to explore.

My personal favourite thing to do with our family when we have no money or are looking to keep the costs down is find a free museum.

Heading into London is pretty expensive, as it’s tough to find cheap parking or train tickets, so we’ve visited the Oxford Natural History Museum a couple of times. Entry is free and there is so much to see there.

It’s perfect for all ages, it’s reasonably close to our home so doesn’t use up a ton of petrol to get there and the parking is cheap in Oxford’s multi-storey car parks.

I had always assumed that cool attractions have to cost at least £10 per person to access, but actually once you get creative looking at what’s out there you will find there are options if you want cheap or free fun days out.

If you’re looking for inspiration for things to do with no money then check out this cool list of fun family days out and ideas for what to do at home on a no spend weekend.

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Free family days out

Visit a library

Libraries are such a little known treasure for families with kids of all ages. They often put on free events for young people, such as reading or craft sessions, plus just paying a visit to browse the books is so much fun.

If your kids love to read then get a membership at your local library and start broadening their range of books available to them. You can also borrow movies.

Explore the woods

There are lots of hidden woodland wonders that you have probably never even known were there. When I started looking into what woodland walks were close to our house I could not believe how many there were!

Research what woodland walks are close to your home and make a list. Then challenge yourselves to explore a different one every weekend.

Make exploring the woods even more fun for kids by decorating rocks before you go, then hiding them away for other people to discover them. Lots of people do this and my kids love finding the decorated rocks other people have made (I’m always so impressed at the creativity people have!).

Visit the beach

It may take a few hours to reach but the beach is a fantastic free day out.

All you need is towels and a ball to have a great time together. Don’t forget the picnic too.

Have a garden campout

If you’ve got a tent then a night out under the stars is a brilliant adventure.

Have a barbecue then stay up late to stargaze before snuggling up in your tent.

Visit a museum

As I said above many museums don’t charge for entry and they are a fantastic day out.

If you can’t make it into London to explore the free to enter Natural History Museum there then take a look at what’s close to you.

Always check ahead to check the entry fee, as some museums will be free to enter while others may charge a small fee.

There’s a list of UK museums on this site.

Go for a picnic

You could look for a park that you have never visited before and then pack up a feast for your family to enjoy outside.

Visit friends

A day with family or friends is a great way to spend time.

If there are several of you getting together then you could each bring a dish so that you have a great feast to share as you catch up.

Ask for National Trust family membership for your next birthday

We were given National Trust family membership as a gift by my grandparents and it is honestly the best gift we ever had.

If you’re thinking about what your family and/or friends could get you for your next birthday then consider this because once you have that membership is opens up a huge range of cool places for you to visit as part of that.

Many National Trust locations hold special events such as Easter Egg Hunts or Christmas themed fun for kids.

Visit a local pumpkin patch

In October there are pumpkin patches all over the UK that open up their farm gates to the general public.

You don’t have to purchase a pumpkin when you’re there, just explore the fields and the farm.

However this is a good opportunity to bag a pumpkin if you do have spare cash for one, and that gives you some more family fun to do once you get home as a pumpkin needs to be carved in time for Halloween.

Try picking your own fruit and veg

You will need to pay for what you pick, but you can do this instead of buying your usual veg and fruit from the supermarket.

Entry to pick your own farms is usually free. Remember to bring your own containers to do the picking as some venues charge for hire or purchase of containers.

Plan ahead to think about what you will pick, so that whatever you get is within your usual food budget and you don’t end up with excess food that will go to waste.

If your kids are super excited to pick a variety of vegetables then make a veggie soup with your haul once you’re back home.

You can find a list of pick your own farms here.

Head out for a bike ride

If your family have bikes and scooters then find a new trail to explore.

Find a local craft sale or fete

Schools and communities tend to hold fetes and festivals throughout the year.

These are often free to enter, or extremely cheap. Once inside there may be free entertainment and games that kids will enjoy.

Join in with community volunteers

Charities are the lifeblood of communities and many are always looking for new people to lend a hand.

Have a look at what local charities are in your area and whether there are any that might be a good fit for you.

Find a local litter pick

Your village or town may hold a regular litter pick to clear the area of unwanted rubbish.

Take a look at your local parish calendar to see if anything is coming up. This is a nice way to get involved with other members of your community, while also enjoying fresh air and exercise.

Fun things to do at home for a no spend weekend

These are cool ideas for things to do that involve staying at home. They’re pretty low maintenance and are perfect for rainy weekends when you’re trying to save money.

Play board games

Who is the most competitive person in your family? They will love this activity!

Our favourite family board games include Guess Who and Hungry Hippos. We’ve also got some great board games from Orchard Toys who make fantastic fun, but educational, games to help with language, problem solving and maths.

Set up a home spa

Pamper yourselves for the day by giving each other pedicures and enjoying a face mask.

Listen to music and just relax together.

Declutter your home

If you’re looking to save money on a no spend challenge then why not also do something that will make you money too?

Whenever I declutter my home I always find something to sell. Recently I sold my children’s toy kitchen, which has been taking up space for some time in our home but they have not been playing with. This made me £20 and gained me back some floor space! Plus the kids haven’t even noticed it’s gone!

There are also lots of ways you can sell unwanted clothes for cash.

Do a workout at home

There are so many exercise classes on YouTube for you to check out.

You can even find yoga classes that are aimed at kids so that the whole family can get together to workout.

Joe Wicks does fantastic workout videos on his YouTube channel that are great for kids and parents.

Check out some new podcasts

There are so many different podcasts out there that you could easily fill a whole day and more.

Another great free place to find entertainment is TED talks. These are not only educational but fascinating too!

Learn a new language

One thing I keep meaning to do with my own family is to learn a language together.

There are lots of apps out there you can download to your phone to help you, or you can follow a free course on YouTube.

Another alternative is a buy a language learning pack – these aren’t too expensive – and aim to do a little each weekend. It’s a great, and really valuable, way to pass the time.

Teach yourself a new craft

Ever fancied trying to make origami? Want to make your own bird feeder?

At home crafts are a great way to spend your time and they do not have to cost a whole lot of money to do! With origami you can follow instructions online through free YouTube videos.

The stuff you need for a bird feeder may already be in your home – you need an old toilet roll, string, peanut butter and some bird seed, according to the RSPB.