Free Activities

When the weather is fine you can’t beat the great outdoors and there are plenty of places to explore near and far, picnics optional. This could be a trip to the beach, with many across the UK offering free all-terrain wheelchair hire as well as other disability friendly options. Take a look here to find some of the best.

If the beach doesn’t appeal, then there are wheelchair friendly woodland walks to explore as well as nature reserves, click here to find one that appeals. You can also visit national trust walks to discover what accessible walks the National Trust have available.

If your child has a fascination with horses, then look at the Riding for the Disabled Association, which operates with volunteers across the UK. Inclusive play parks can be great fun for a few hours if the weather is dry – just check your local council’s website to find what’s available in your area. Many libraries run free activities ranging from story time to craft activities – just ask at your local library or pop online to take a look at what they have planned.

If the rising price of petrol means you don’t want to venture too far from home, then turn your garden into a messy play area! There are lots of options depending on your child’s likes and abilities, but some options are giant chunky chalks for drawing on pavements and patios, bubbles to blow, finger painting, paddling in a pool or playing with a sand table. You can always invite some friends or family round and turn it into a social occasion too.

If the weather takes a turn for the worse and you need to stay indoors then you can have your own cinema day, story time, games tournament, baking, make crafts or create your an activity board or sensory bin together for your child to explore. You can even make your own musical instruments – rice or beads in a jar, elastic bands on boxes and banging pots and pans can give hours of fun (but it might be a good idea to warn the neighbours).

Low Cost Activities

Merlin’s Magic Wand also offers free tickets and travel grants to seriously ill, disabled and disadvantaged families. You can only apply on behalf of your child if you have not previously received tickets from them. You can apply for complimentary one day entry to a Merlin attraction for immediate family only parents and guardians and siblings. Find out more here

You can also look at your museums to see what’s available – it’s standard practice for all National Museums to be free of charge and many others are either free or low cost. Click here to find out more.

Other free or low cost activities can be found in your area by visiting here