The school holidays have arrived, and you may be worrying about your costs increasing whilst your children are off school. We know food costs are rising, and buying your basic items can wipe out most of your budget. So this list of places with offers on family meals may help.

Where children can eat for free or for £1 over summer

Going out for a meal can be a lovely family treat, however the costs soon add up. Budgets can be tight so we have included a few restaurants where parents, grandparents and carers can feed their children for free. Please check T&Cs before going.

Bills – Up to two kids can eat free ALL DAY from Monday 24 July – Friday 1 Sept (excluding Saturday & Sunday), if one adult orders any main dish (breakfast, lunch and dinner). The children’s menu features family favourites including famous buttermilk pancakes, mac & cheese, and fish fingers & chips.

Morrisons – Under 16s can eat for free at any of Morrisons’ 398 cafes across the UK when an adult spends £4.49 or more on a meal. Until 13 August, any adults or children who ‘Ask for Ellen’ can receive two toasted crumpets, with butter and jam for free.

TGI Friday’s – Join the TGI Friday’s Stripes rewards programme and feed one child for free when you order an adult’s main meal. Youngsters can order a main and two sides from the “Little League” or “Major League” section of the kids’ menu.

Sizzling Pubs – For every adult meal purchased, you can have a kid’s main for just £1. The offer is available Monday to Friday between 3-7pm.

Bella Italia – Children can eat for £1 with every purchase of an adult main course from 4-6pm on Monday to Thursday. Kids can have three courses of Italian food, such as pizza and pasta, with meals suitable for two to 11-year-olds.

OK Diners – Children under 10 can eat for free from the children’s menu when an adult purchases a main course from the a la carte menu. Available all day and week-long.

Free and cheaper days out

Depending on the county you live in there are many free days out advertised for the holidays. We found a wonderful article on Money Magpie listing all the activities by area – check it out here. We love a freebie and there’s plenty of fun things to do for all ages here.

Have you visited a toy library before? With over 1000 across the UK there’s sure to be one near you, contact your local council to find your closest. At each venue they offer toys to borrow for all ages and many run “stay and play” sessions.

Get your creative juices flowing and create a nature trail. Grab a map and plot a walk in your local area, see if your children can then identify flowers and leaves along the way. You can draw what you spot or even have a go at flower pressing by placing them between two heavy objects and letting them dry out.

Visit a free museum – many museums are offering free exhibitions over the holidays. Money Saving Expert has a full list of free museums in the UK.

If you need free, confidential debt advice you can can contact us.