Parents do be broke over the summer with camps, days out, childminders and everything else like the extra food children need. I'm not joking my kids are eating like horses since they finished up three weeks ago, what's the story with that?

Parents do be broke over the summer with camps, days out, childminders and everything else like the extra food children need. I'm not joking my kids are eating like horses since they finished up three weeks ago, what's the story with that?
If you're anything like me, I'm always looking for ways to save money and with a new house move on the cards in a few weeks, there's no time like the present, I'm counting the pennies.
Here are 8 ways to save money on days out this summer with kids:
  • Check out Groupon and Living Social for discounted days out. Right now they have deals on varies mini adventures for all the family to enjoy.
  • Sometimes we forget about the free attractions. Why not pop by the Dead Zoo, Phoenix Park’s Farmleigh, The National Gallery of Ireland, Glendalough, the National Museum of Ireland: Archaeology, Trinity’s Science Gallery or the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin.
  • No matter where it is that you go this summer bring snacks and drinks. As a mother of four, I know how quick spending can spiral out of control buying snacks. I could spend a fortune buying them drinks and little snacks to keep them going throughout the day. They each have a water bottle that I fill up just before we leave and I keep a little bag of non-perishable snacks like raisins, fruit winders, nuts, popcorn and foods like Goodies Organix in the boot at all times. At first, the older ones hated my snack choices but now they love them.
  • Avoid crap food and long queues with a picnic when you're out and about with the kids. Invest in a decent picnic bag. We got a new one in Aldi a few weeks bag for a tenner and I hope to get three to four years out of it like I did with my old one. You will save an absolute fortune on your days out over the summer if you bring your own food. You could even bring a flask with you if you are fond of a cuppa or three.
  • Keep a lookout out for days out vouchers online on website and blogs and in magazine and newspapers. Recently the Sunday World had some great half price vouchers and 2 for 1s in their paper.  Screenshot any voucher codes when you see them, you never know when you might need them.
  • Did you know that most OPW-managed heritage sites are free on the first Wednesday of every month? Most people don't! Tickets are allocated on a first-come, first served basis, so it's advised to arrive early. 
  • Do you shop at Tesco? Did you know you can use your Clubcard points against days out and restaurants? Yep, and they quadruple in value when you trade them. Days out include Dublin Zoo, National Sea Life Bray, National Wax Museum, Hook Lighthouse and LeisurePlex just to name a few.
  • If you are in receipt of a social welfare payment you can get a reduced admission for Dublin Zoo if you produce identification and a recent receipt from collecting your welfare payments in the post office. Ticket can only be bought at the ticket desk on the day.
Written by Kellie Kearney staff writer at FFHQ who also blogs at www.mylittlebabog.com.

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