Along with the fun and festivities, Christmas can be challenging, trying to keep the kids entertained while sticking to a budget. That’s why we’ve sorted your Christmas plans with a list of free, budget-friendly and fun family activities happening across the Midlands.
From saving on dining out to sports clubs, festive family activities and cosy ideas for Christmas at home, there’s something for everyone, so you can make the most of the festive break!
- Asda cafe - kids eat for £1 all day at Asda café, seven days a week (no adult spend required)
- Beefeater – 2-course kids’ menu starting from just £5.99, and kids eat breakfast for free
- TGI Fridays - kids eat free everyday (with an adult’s main meal)
- Sizzling Pub & Grill – during school holidays, kids eat for £1 from Monday to Friday, 12pm onwards (with an adult’s main meal)
- Dobbies Garden Centre & Restaurant - kids eat for £1 (with an adult’s main meal)
- Bella Italia - Kids eat for free from Sunday to Thursday (with an adult’s main meal)
- Morrisons cafe - kids eat free all day with any adult meal over £5
- Dunelm Pausa Cafe - kids eat free with every £4 spent in the cafe
- The World Bar (Resorts World, Birmingham) - kids eat free (with an adult’s main meal)
You can find lots more restaurant vouchers and deals for the whole family here.
The Household Support Fund helps support struggling families to pay for food, utility bills, clothing, and other essentials.
You can find out about the schemes available in your area, and whether your eligible for the Fund, by contacting your local council. Find out more about the Household Support Fund for the area you live in here.
If you’re in work, paying for childcare, and get Universal Credit, you could claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs. This is up to a maximum of £1,032 for one child, or £1,769 for two children.
Find out more about the support available here.
Bring it on Brum! is funded by the Department for Education and offers free summer activities across Birmingham for 4- to 16-year-olds who get benefits-related free school meals. In partnership with Birmingham City Council, the initiative aims to keep children and young people healthy and active during the summer holidays.
Learn more about the Birmingham Holiday Activities initiative here, and keep the kids entertained for free by clicking this link. Bookings open Dec 1st 2025.
Click the links below for festive fun for the whole family to enjoy
- Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas market
- Brum’s Christmas reindeer trail - Visit Birmingham
- Santa's Winter Wonderland - SnowDome
- Big Wheel (book on arrival) and Ice Skate Birmingham (book online)
- SEA LIFE Birmingham Aquarium
- West Midlands Safari Park Santa Safari
- Black Country Living Museum Christmas nights
- Christmas weekends at Cadbury World
- Christmas in Cathedral Square - craft market
- North Pole party time at Resorts World
The Coventry Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme makes sure there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Funded by the Department for Education, the programme gives children and young people access to free activities and experiences during school holidays, with free food provided. You can also book places at local summer playschemes if you're eligible for the HAF programme.
Click here to find out if you're eligible and choose from more than 150 activities to keep the family entertained!
Click the links below for festive fun for the whole family to enjoy
- The Snowman With Live Orchestra 2025
- Christmas at Warwick Castle
- Festive fun at Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden
- Christmas in Coventry at St Mary's Guildhall
- Stratford Upon Avon Christmas Markets
- Christingles 2025
- Christmas at Coventry Cathedral
- Children's Play Village
- Children's Christmas Event 2025 Hatton Adventure World
Wolverhampton Young Opportunities (a Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) programme) gives children and young people in Wolverhampton access to free activities and food during the holidays. The council delivers the HAF programme through a network of providers at a wide variety of venues across the city.
If your child receives free school meals, then they’re eligible for the programme. Find out more about eligibility here, and the free activities on offer across Wolverhampton, here.
Click the links below for festive fun for the whole family to enjoy
The Staffordshire Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme offers up to 16 free places for eligible children and young people to enjoy activities across the region. The programme includes a healthy meal with every place booked.
Kids can take part in sports clubs, language lessons, arts and crafts, and so much more! Find out more about whether your child is eligible here and check out the activities on offer across Staffordshire here.
Click the links below for festive fun for the whole family to enjoy
The Leicestershire Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme gives eligible children and young people access to activities across the region. HAF sessions offer a variety of fun activities alongside a nutritious meal.
HAF holiday club sessions will be delivered by different providers across the region. Find out more about whether your child is eligible here and check out the activities on offer across Leicestershire here.
Click the links below for festive fun for the whole family to enjoy
Planning on spending time all wrapped up and cosy indoors during the but dreading the kids getting bored over the Christmas holidays? That’s why we’ve made a list of some fun things you can do together.
- Paint baubles - get inspired here and here!
- Make your own decorations
- Bake and decorate a gingerbread house
- Play Christmas-themed family games
- Bake Christmas-themed biscuits
- Make a Christmas door mat with cardboard
