Four ways to enjoy ‘no-spend days’ with the family over the summer holidays

THE summer holidays are an expensive time for families. One way to curb costs is to add “no-spend days” to your agenda over the coming weeks. Boxes and packaging are great for keeping the kids entertained Credit: Getty Here are some easy ideas for keeping kids happy and having family fun on a budget . . . JUNK MODELLING: Save boxes and packaging for a week or so and you’ll soon have plenty of items that can keep kids happy for an hour or so. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Just give them some tape or kid-friendly glue and see where their imagination takes them. To get the most out of the activity, you can get them to paint the structure after it’s built — or decorate it with stickers and felt-tip pens. READ MORE MONEY SAVING TIPS ON ROTATION: If you have a mountain of toys that don’t get used much, now’s the time to put them to work. Altering your set-up can create a play scenario that lasts for hours. Try laying out toy dinosaurs in the garden with stones and leaves to create an imaginary prehistoric world. Or stage bathtime for their favourite dolls by giving the kids a bowl of soapy water and telling them they need a clean. Most read in Money RAID THE CUPBOARDS: Involve your kids in making their meals. This way, you’ll keep them entertained — and get some help in the kitchen too. For example, you could mix up a morning granola from scratch with oats and any dried fruit or seeds you have in the cupboards, with a bit of butter and honey or syrup. It then just needs baking on a medium heat, until crunchy and golden. SAVE WITH SUN CLUB: Join Sun Club and you’ll get access to plenty of top offers to keep kids entertained for £1.99 a month — or a £12 annual membership. This includes four free tickets to race days across England, Wales and Scotland, with under-18s going free. Plus, a limited offer that ends today for half-price tickets to Horrible Histories Live with entry from £12. You could also win a family theatre trip to London. Join the Club at thesun.co.uk/club. All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability Deal of the day This BBQ Chef Texas Black Smoker is reduced at Wilko Credit: Wilko FIRE up the charcoal and host pals this weekend. The BBQ Chef Texas Black Smoker is down from £169.99 to £99.99 at Wilko. SAVE: £70 Cheap treat Head to Sainsbury’s to save on Beleza Do Sol sunkissed coconut milk Credit: Sainsburys EVOKE the scent of sunshine and holidays with Beleza Do Sol sunkissed coconut milk, £2.50 with a Nectar card from Sainsbury’s (£4 without). What’s new? Mr Kipling’s new cookies and cream whirl cakes are available at Sainsbury’s Credit: Sainsburys ENJOY an indulgent moment with Mr Kipling’s new cookies and cream whirl cakes, £1.80 from Sainsbury’s. Top swap Pick up the Theodore armchair, £1,295, from Soho Home Credit: Soho Home Or try the Spinningfield Fairfield chair for less Credit: Tesco MAKE your lounge a classy affair with the Theodore armchair, £1,295, from Soho Home. Or, for a smaller price tag, try this Spinningfield Fairfield chair, £139.99 at tesco.com. SAVE: £1,155.01 Little helper Pick up this five-piece organiser bag set for less Credit: Flying Tiger PACKING for your holiday is easier with this five-piece organiser bag set, £6 from Flying Tiger. Shop & save A bottle of Aperol is down from £17 to £10 at Asda ENJOY a continental-style aperitif this weekend. A bottle of Aperol is down from £17 to £10 at Asda, top up with soda water and prosecco. SAVE: £7 Hot right now CHECK in the Club Prezzo app for £10 off your next visit to the Italian-style chain. PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 Join thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket. The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!