Summer activities for under £10 per child

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We have pulled together a list of activities you can do this summer with your children all for under £10 per child. We have also included where kids can eat for free or at a reduced rate.

Fun for free

We are very lucky in East Anglia to have a range of resources for families that are completely free and for some activities you don’t even need to drive – sometimes the best fun is on your doorstep.

  • Geocaching
  • Library Summer Reading Challenge
  • Nature scavenger hunts
  • Picnic in local parks
  • River walks
  • Cycling at Thetford Forest (starting at Warren Lodge)
  • Wildlife spotting
  • Outdoor gyms
  • Community splash parks

Holiday Activities & Food Programme (HAF) – 21 July until the end of August – Free to qualifying families

Activities include:

  • Roller disco
  • Paddleboarding
  • Pony grooming
  • Swimming
  • STEM workshops
  • Football
  • Crafts
  • Acrobatics
  • Mindfulness
  • Outdoor adventure

Suffolk

Haverhill – summer of events

Haverhill town have a variety of events going on over the summer for you to get involved in.

  • Wednesday 29 July – Chalkstone fun day – 11am – 3pm
  • Wednesday 5 August – Parkway fun day – 11am – 3pm
  • Wednesday 12 August – Clements fun day – 11am – 3pm
  • Friday 21 and Saturday 22 August – Haverhill in the Park
  • Thursday 27 August – Picnic in the park (East Town Park)

Ickworth Estate – Summer of play – 18 July to 2 September – under 5’s go free, children (5 – 17) £7.50

Visitors can enjoy a day out for less with the National Trust this summer, following the Government’s temporary cut to VAT. From 25 June to 1 September 2026, you’ll pay less on admissions and on children’s meals in National Trust cafes, making the summer an even better time to make a visit!

There are ten different play zones in the Walled ‘Play’ Garden, each designed with children and adults who are young at heart and mind. There’s Sport’s Zone for those wishing to get active, a Quiet Zone for anyone wanting to take a moment and relax and even a Soft Play Zone for under 5s. Bring a picnic or take advantage of our food and ice cream trailer. With toilets available nearby, spend a couple of hours or the entire day in the Play Garden.

Get Crafty on one of the themed craft workshop sessions (additional charge, booking recommended) taking place every Tuesday and Thursday. Create and decorate items to take home and enjoy.

Drop in to one of the Story Telling sessions on Mondays or Forest Bathing sessions on Fridays.

Roll up, roll up, the circus is coming to Ickworth Estate on Wednesday 19 August! For the very first time, the Big Top is coming to Ickworth as this summer as Circus Pazaz bring their fabulous, feel‑good show bursting with colour, skill and laughter.

Theatre in the parks (Abbbey Gardens, Brandon country park, Nowton Park and West Stow) – 2 August to 11 August – Prices dependent on location

Theatre in the Parks in Bury St Edmunds offers visitors a unique way to experience live performance in a relaxed, open-air setting. Instead of a traditional indoor theatre, productions are staged in beautiful green spaces.

Please bring chairs and blankets with you, pack a picnic and dress for the weather, it is the British summer after all! Highlights include – Big Bad Wolf, Peter Rabbit, Romeo and Juliet, The Ghost of Achilles, The Cursed Ring and The Jungle book.

Bury St Edmunds Cathedral – Teddy Bears Picnic – 12 August – Free to attend but booking is essential

Bring your favourite furry friend along for a delightful afternoon of picnicking, crafting, and community at St Edmundsbury Cathedral. Spread out your blanket, unpack your picnic, and let the children enjoy creative craft activities in a welcoming, family-friendly setting. It’s the perfect opportunity to relax in the beautiful surroundings of the Cathedral. Hosted in partnership with the Mothers’ Union.

What to bring: A picnic, a blanket, and a teddy bear.

What we provide: Free craft activities and a lovely atmosphere.

For children up to aged 11 and their families. All children must be accompanied.

Brandon Country Park – Activity trail – Throughout August – £1.50 per trail and prize

Follow the trail, solving the clues along the way to help find the special word, and then return to the café to collect a small prize. 10am – 4.30pm

Booking is not required.

Rougham Control Tower Aviation Museum – Celebrating RAF history – Sunday 26 July – Free admission but donations are welcome.

Come and celebrate over 100 years of local RAF history. There will be lots to see and do.

Norfolk

High Lodge – Thetford Forest – Room on the Broom meet and greet – 28 August – Free but parking charges apply

Come along to meet Witch at our fun day! Witch will be appearing at various times throughout the day and there will be lots of Room on the Broom-themed activities on offer at High Lodge. Witch will be appearing at 11am, 12pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm.

You can also get crafting Room on the Broom style in our craft and colouring stations and visit the interactive Room on the Broom trail – remember to pick up an activity pack from the Information point (additional charge my apply).

Thetford market place – Summer Fun -27 to 31 July – Free

Join us for a week long celebration of Summer on Thetford Market Place. Family fun and entertainment for all.

More information and details coming soon!

Ancient House – Knights in shining armour – 8 August – £2 per child

Find out about Medieval knights and warfare. Learning about the different types of armour and weapons and even try some on! Plus learn how knights and ladies of the era were remembered with brasses and make your own brass rubbing to take home. These are workshops for small numbers of children accompanied by an adult to get hands on with history. These workshops are suitable for those who prefer a quieter environment.
Workshops are suitable for children aged 6 and over. Various times available.

Cambridgeshire

Museum of Cambridge – Time Hopping Holiday: Romans – 27 July, 3 August and 10 August – Cost of museum admission

See a glimpse of Roman Cambridge with activities and costumes. Have a go at making a Roman bridge and chat to a Celtic crafter.

Every Monday of the school holidays, find a historical character inside the Museum with an activity to take part in, and some stories to share.

For the first three weeks, in the kitchen, meet a Romano-Briton looking for help building a bridge across the river Granta at the new settlement of Duroliponte and talk about life before and during the Roman occupation.

Included with your Museum admission (children 16 and under go FREE)

Waterstones Cambridge – Cambridge Comic Club – Thursday 30 July – £5 per child

Join in a fun morning packed full of fast-paced comic action. Bring along a copy of your favourite graphic novel, (or perhaps pick one up from our lovely children’s section on the way in) and prepare to get involved in graphic novel themed activities- including a character creation competition! Once you’re done with your incredible creations, you will have the opportunity to explore our children’s section and take part in our scavenger hunt, so each child is able to walk away from the day with their own prize!

Tickets: £5 per child. Recommended ages 5-12. Event takes place in the events space on the third floor mezzanine.

Eating for free

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