Days out with the family make for great memories, but are usually expensive: entrance fees, parking, fuel, food, drinks and souvenirs, undoubtedly rack up the bill. Planning a few cheap, cheerful and entertaining options, which can be used time and again will help you manage your holiday budget.

Here’s how it’s done.

1. Think local

2. Walk

3. Pack a picnic

4. Pack a football and Frisbee

5. Take a blanket to sit on

6. Pack paper and crayons

7. Take the technology

8. Get the kids to help

9. Share the load

10. Think out of the box.

Children don’t need big ticket venues to enjoy themselves, but they do need to stay occupied to make your family away-day a success.

Choose a local park or beauty spot, somewhere close enough for you to walk to. Pack a picnic with several small bottles of water or pop, together with a rug, football, Frisbee, paper and crayons. You need to travel light, so split the load so that everyone gets something to carry.

I imagine that many children will baulk at the idea of walking, but playing ‘Roadside Bingo’, which means spotting roadsigns and ticking them off a list, or snapping them on a phone, will make the walk an enjoyable one.

When you get there the time will fly by if you think out of the box: lay a treasure hunt, have a nature quiz, or go bird spotting It may all sound a bit ‘Famous Five’ but everyone will have a lovely day out and without the expense of a theme park.

PS Don’t forget the waterproofs – just in case!