Our topdogdays mantra is that you don’t have to spend a fortune if you are planning a day out with the kids!  Here are some of our top tips to keep the costs down during the summer holidays:

A lego family at Legoland, Windsor

Use a voucher; there are plenty of vouchers and deals around for top visitor attractions around the country.  If you are planning a  day out to Thorpe Park, Cadbury World or Go Ape to name but a few, check out the deals available before you go – of course topdogdays is the obvious choice!

Use a loyalty card; make use of those loyalty card points you have accumulated – Tesco in particular offers you up to four times its value when you redeem vouchers for days out.  For example Legoland Discovery Centre will set you back only £3.50 in clubcard vouchers or Drayton Manor only £7.50 in vouchers.

Don’t waste money on additional spend; take a picnic rather than forking out for over priced food. For ride photography; there’s plenty of photo opportunities around a theme park that will capture the day with a regular camera!  If you must buy souvenirs; agree an amount with the kids before you enter the store and stick to your budget.

The tube at Legoland, Windsor

London travel; take advantage of the new Barclays cycle hire in London for those aged 14 and over where the first 30 minutes is free.  Remember that children under 11 travel for free on buses, tubes & trams in London.  Kids aged between 11 & 15, travel on the tube for maximum of £1 a day with an Oyster photocard.

Take advantage of discount travel offers; invest in a family & friends railcard and take advantage of regional rail offers.  London Midland trains are offering 50% discounts on off peak travel in August plus your additional discount with a railcard.