13 Family Adventure Ideas On A Small Budget

May 16, 2025

13 ideas for brilliant memory making family adventures, all perfect for a small budget

Do you need some family adventure inspiration for the school holidays? If you're staying at home and are looking for small budget (or no budget) ideas, then we've got 13 brilliant memory making ones to inspire you.

With four kids, we've had our fair share of adventures big and small!

And sometimes the small simple ideas create the best memories for the family - whether you're spending the day in the garden together, staying cosy inside on a rainy day, or venturing out into your local area.

Here are 13 of our favourite adventure ideas for the family that are fun, simple, and packed with memory making potential.

1. DIY movie night under the stars

Use a projector, bring out all of your cosiest blankets, and enjoy an outdoor cinema experience at home. Add twinkling fairy lights and toasted marshmallows to make it feel even more magical.

You might think this is just a summer adventure, but one of our favourite family memories was when we did this in December to watch Home Alone. The kids bundled up inside their sleeping bags, we had a fire pit going, and it was the perfect magical Christmas evening!

2. Build a fort indoors

Grab all the duvets, cushions, and fairy lights… and build yourselves a cosy fort. Whether it's a rainy day or you're hibernating for the weekend, it's the most heartwarming way to spend your day.

Play board games, read stories together, make a craft project, or even eat dinner in your new family fort.

3. Bike ride and a picnic

Choose a local trail or quiet lane, gather a yummy picnic, and head out on your bikes.

Whether you're all confident bike riders, or some of the family are just learning, there will be a way to enjoy cycling together.

It's a great way to burn off some energy and explore nature along the way. Just don't forget the picnic!

4. Geocaching

Use a free app to find hidden treasures in your area. It’s like a modern-day treasure hunt!

We've never tried geocaching but I've included it here because it's high on our to do list.

It looks like brilliant fun and a wonderful community across the county. I'd love to hear about it, if it's something that your family does.

5. Library adventure challenge

Visit your local library and challenge each family member to pick one book, then come home and have a family reading hour.

Combine it with your blanket fort for the ultimate cosy adventure!

Check our favourite Spring picture books for inspiration here.

6. Create a family time capsule

Collect small items, letters, and photos to seal in a box and bury or store for a future date.

We made a family time capsule when my parents moved from our old family home. It was the perfect way to keep our special treasures together, and it gave us such heartwarming memories together.

7. Rock pooling at the beach

Explore tidal pools at the beach and see what you can find. Bring a magnifying glass and a bucket.

You might have to travel to your local beach, so you could always switch this to something closer to home. Perhaps a river, or stream, even a pond in your local park could provide plenty of joy.

8. Treasure hunt - indoors or outdoors

There is something so fun about doing a treasure hunt. Hide clues and have a small prize for the winning team at the end.

You can even make it themed - pirates, explorers, or detectives.

9. Visit your local National Trust park or property

Many National Trust parks are free to enter on foot, and offer family-friendly trails with plenty of wildlife spotting.

There are often offers on National Trust days out, with free tickets available to visit the gardens or houses. You'll be amazed at the beauty on your doorstep.

We're extremely lucky to have Dunham Massey down the road from us, and it's one of our favourite places to visit in any season.

10. Design your own board game

Use cardboard and craft supplies to invent a game based on your family adventures.

It's the perfect craft project for the family to work on together. Whether you're a board game loving family or not, this will definitely be a fun at-home adventure.

Be inspired by your favourite books, TV shows, or even sports.

11. Climb trees and build dens

There is no simpler adventure than heading to the park and climbing a tree! Kids love to explore this risky play, and it's so beneficial for everyone.

Take a snack, or a book, and curl up on a sturdy branch letting the world pass by beneath you. Or add some dress-up items and let your imaginations run wild!

If there aren't any strong enough trees, collect some sticks and build yourselves a ground level den.

12. Photography walk challenge

Give everyone a camera, or use phones, and decide on a theme (like "things that are red" or "patterns in nature") to capture during a walk.

You'll have fun spotting things in your theme, and it will give the little ones a great challenge on the walk.

You could even have your photos printed in a photo book, as a keepsake of your adventure.

13. Wild camping in the garden

Pitch a tent in your own back garden. You don't need to go far to have a fun night away!

Add fairy lights, a camp fire, and a torch for storytelling to make it magical for everyone in the family.

Spend your evening star gazing and enjoying nature, with the bonus of having all your home comforts a few steps away!

Adventure doesn’t need to mean expensive theme parks or travelling on holiday. Sometimes the best memories are made close to home, with a little imagination and plenty of fun.

Whether you’ve got a free afternoon or a full weekend ahead, there are so many simple, budget-friendly adventures the whole family can enjoy together.

I hope these family adventure ideas have inspired you to create your own magical moments. For more ideas have a look at our personalised adventure tokens, for travel friendly inspiration!