If you’re a parent or carer, you know school holidays can prove expensive.
Here are some ideas to help you keep the costs down, keep the kids entertained, and get them ready for going back to school.
What’s happening in your borough
Camden
'Sports galore' is available through Camden’s leisure centres, including £1 swims 
.
The Young Camden Foundation offers a programme of activities for children, including engaging outdoor activities and a half-term arts school.
Hackney
Hackney Council offers many arts and crafts sessions, including some designed for the whole family. There’s also an Easter egg hunt and musicals to enjoy.
Haringey
Check out the full programme of events and activities taking part in Haringey . There are sessions dedicated to physical activity and growth mindset tools for girls, skills hubs for teens interested in sports and media careers and much more.
Islington
Islington Council offers many activities , including sports sessions, music production classes and much more.
Tower Hamlets
Track down the Easter Bunny’s treats in Victoria Park on Wednesday, 9 April .
Enjoy the sunshine in the park with special events organised by the Tower Hamlets Council .
Waltham Forest
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme provides eligible children and young people with a free meal and enriching activities where they can learn new skills and meet new friends. Find out more and book activities here.
Head into town
Be a tourist for a day, head to Convent Garden, and take in the free public art Easter Egg Hunt .
Remember, museums and most galleries are free. Take a packed lunch, and if you avoid the gift shops, you can spend a whole day (especially a rainy one) exploring without spending money!
For just the fare, take some of Transport for London's (TfL) ordinary bus routes ; they can make great London sightseeing tours!
Food, glorious food!
Go to Money Saving Central , where you’ll find places where children can eat for free or very little cost, usually with a full-price adult meal.
Make use of food-sharing apps
Apps like Olio or Too Good To Go can help you save money on food from local restaurants, bakeries and groceries. These stores sell their produce at a discount price, usually before they close for the day, rather than throwing good food away.
Getting foodbank vouchers
If you use free school meals, the holidays may present an added financial strain, but we can help.
We can act as a referrer, so if you feel you need help, please contact our Outreach team by emailing Outreachandsupport@isha.co.uk or calling 0300 131 7300.
You can locate the food bank nearest to you on the Trussel Trust website or call us, and we can help you identify one.
Foodbanks often receive donations of other items, such as essential toiletries or cleaning supplies, which may be helpful even if you don’t need groceries.
Sign up for our newsletter
We publish a digital newsletter once a month with updates about our services, ways for you to get involved in your community and helpful information like this.