Easter Belper Bill Busters: This Easter Break, Don’t Break The Bank

Every year around Easter time, parents’ minds inevitably turn to a fortnight full of restless, chocolate-fuelled children. For some, keeping the kids entertained over the break may come as a concern, especially if money is tight. Here are our suggestions for an Easter break that will keep the kids happy and the parents’ pockets happy too.

The National Trust has once again teamed up with Cadbury to host Easter egg hunts in 250 locations across the country this April – always a popular way to get the kids out and about. Visit nationaltrust.org.uk/features/join-the-cadbury-egg-hunts to find your nearest hunt.

If you’re not able to make it to these events or are looking for something a little less purse-strenuous, why not set up your own hunt for the youngsters? Grab some small chocolate eggs (usually available in pound shops) and hide them around the house or garden. Simply set the kids off to search, sit down and put your feet up with a cuppa. Or, if you fancy making things a bit more challenging, create a ‘treasure map’ or a series of cryptic clues leading to the goodies – be creative!

If there’s a river or stream near your house, why not take the kids down and play some games? Collect lots of twigs and leaves, build some boats and have a race down the water. Or go for a classic game of Pooh Sticks. Fun, free and outdoors – perfect!

Here’s an Easter classic: hard boil some eggs for the kids to paint as their favourite characters and celebrities. Get some orange paint and you’ve got your very own Egg Sheeran! Why not stage the Oscars starring Eggs-Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom-lette Hiddleston? Or set the kids off on an adventure with Dora the Eggs-plorer? Okay, okay, enough of the puns, we’re just getting… eggs-cited… But this really is a cheap and cheerful way to keep the little ones occupied for an afternoon.

What treasures does your hometown have to offer that you’ve never got round to visiting? Often you don’t need to travel for miles to find an interesting day out.

Look up your region at moneysavingexpert.com/deals/free-museums-and-art-galleries and see what free museums and exhibitions are on offer nearby.

Get active, fill some time and support your local leisure centre this April. Cuts to council funding are sadly having an impact on leisure centres across the country, with many on the verge of closure. Why not make the most of the facilities on your doorstep this Easter? Go for a swim, play some badminton, or see what special events are on. This is stuff you can do alone, in a group or with the family, and it’s usually cheap as chips, most importantly!

If low income is negatively impacting your life, sign up to a local CAP Life Skills: a friendly group where you’ll gain practical skills and discover new ways to live for a brighter future. Find out more at caplifeskills.org. For help and support if you’re struggling with debt, visit capuk.org or call 0800 328 0006 free of charge.