'I'm a thrifty mum - this is how to do half term without breaking the bank'

With October half-term approaching, many parents are looking for free or low-cost activities to entertain their little ones.

Luckily, there are plenty of budget-friendly ways to enjoy this spooky season – from craft fairs to pumpkin picking.

Instagram mum Rebecca Lawrance, from Cheshire, has shared her tips for free days out and activities for the whole family to enjoy this spooky season.

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1. Stay Local

“From Halloween-themed discos and craft fairs to magic shows and spooky storytelling at the library, keep an eye on local social media pages and websites for upcoming free events in your area,” Rebecca, who shared her tips by partnering up with VivaMoney.co.uk, says.

“Googling ‘What’s on in [your local area]’ may also bring up some ideas. Using Manchester as an example, there are several free ‘Halloween in the City’ activities taking place throughout the October half-term, including giant pop-up monsters and a parade of skeletons!”

"We have a Chester Zoo membership, which grants us free entry all year round. This year, we’ll be making the most of their special Halloween-themed Supernatural event, which offers a giant pumpkin sculpture trail at no additional cost.

“Have a look at your own existing memberships and utilise any Halloween events and promotions that you may be able to get at a discounted or free rate.”

2. Pick a pumpkin

“Some patches charge an entry fee, while others only require payment for the pumpkin you choose,” Rebecca says. “If you were going to buy pumpkins for the kids anyway, why not utilise your funds and get a cheap day out in with the cost?

“A couple of hours spent letting off steam in the great outdoors under the autumnal sunshine is a morning well spent, and you can while the afternoon away carving your creations to perfection.

“BBC Good Food have published this handy list of the best pumpkin patches in the UK, complete with prices.”

3. No tricks, only treats

“If the kids are off school on October 31, spend an afternoon trick-or-treating,” Rebecca adds. “Don’t worry about the cost of costumes - there are plenty of spooky outfits that can be quickly crafted on a shoestring. An old sheet with cut-out eyeholes is a classic go-to, as is the ever-original bin-bag witches cape!

“DIY costumes sorted, trick or treating is wonderfully free to enjoy. Why not make a whole day of the festivities and round the night off with a spooky movie marathon?

“Casper, Goosebumps, and Monsters, Inc are great family-friendly choices. If the trick or treating was successful, the kids should already be sorted for snacks!”

4. DIY ghost walk

“Guided ghost walks take place in many towns and cities, but they usually come at a price,” Rebecca states. “There’s no reason why you can’t organise your own small-scale version exclusively for your family – for free!

“Research local myths and legends or simply improvise and make up your own. You could tea-stain some paper, draw up a location map, and hand them out for a truly authentic experience that the kids will be talking about for weeks to come.

“Maps in hand, take the kids out for a walk around the town as dusk settles, pointing out haunted buildings and locations of ghostly goings-on. Take in your neighbourhood’s epic Halloween displays along the way, and you have a perfect spook-tacular, costless evening.”

5. Spooky sprinting

"Parkrun is a free, 5k event held in over 1,250 locations up and down the country each weekend,” Rebecca says. “The main parkrun event takes place every Saturday morning, while Junior parkrun, which covers 2k and is especially for children aged between four and 14, is every Sunday.

“Find your local parkrun event here. The great thing about parkrun is its inclusivity. Whether attending with older children, your baby in a buggy, or even your dog, you can race for a PB or you can walk the entire course at a leisurely pace. There’s no pressure whatsoever.

“Many parkruns will indulge in fancy dress over the Halloween period. Why not get in touch with your local parkrun organiser and suggest a mass dress-up event? Joining the parkrun community is easy, and it’s completely free – you can find out more here.”

Dan Whittaker, a personal finance expert at Viva Money, says: “Half-term can play havoc with our wallets. It can be difficult to strike the balance between sticking to a budget and ensuring those dreaded words ‘I’m bored’ aren’t uttered! The good news is that keeping the kids entertained, spending quality time together as a family, and making memories doesn’t need to break the bank, as proven by Rebecca’s tips.

“Being savvy and seeking out free events near you will fill your days, as will other costless activities, such as trick-or-treating and hosting a spooky movie night.”