HALF-TERM is in full swing – and that means kids to entertain.

Parents spend an average of £323 during the break, according to Equifax.

Seven free and cheap activities and crafts for kids this half term

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Seven free and cheap activities and crafts for kids this half termCredit: Getty

If your budget is stretched, here are some low-cost ways to keep youngsters amused.

QUIET TIME: Printactivities.com has plenty of free summer-themed download and print-at-home sets for kids who love colouring or puzzles.

BAKE OFF: Encourage budding bakers with the three-ingredient cookie recipe at delish.com.

You need 70g sugar, 120g flour and 100g butter (all of which you might already have) to make 12 cookies. Including cooking time, they should take 30 to 40 minutes.

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Alternatively, kids will love the Dr Oetker Solar System cupcake kit, £2.50 at Tesco. Or pick up Asda’s unicorn biscuit kit for £1.75.

ANIMAL MAGIC: Making DIY bird feeders is a great low-cost activity for the kids. Slice apples then dip them in Aldi Grandessa peanut butter, 99p, then sunflower seeds, £1.10 at Sainsbury’s. Tie them with string to a tree branch in the garden.

GROW YOUR OWN: Use an old yoghurt pot and add a ball of damp cotton wool. Sprinkle over a few cress seeds from Wilko, 45p, and place on a window sill.

Kids can add a little water daily and the cress should sprout in as little as one or two days.

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TREASURE HUNT: This requires a little more work for parents but fills a bit of time too.

Hide something from around the house and draw a pirate-style treasure map for them to follow.

Use written clues or draw pictures to point them in the right direction — either in the house or at a local park.

CROWN IT: Hobbycraft is running Jubilee crown-making workshops in stores for £5.

To skip that spend, round up paper or old greetings cards and make your own crown with sticky tape and scissors. Add stickers for decoration.

My top tip is to measure round their head first with a piece of string so you make a crown that fits.

CHALLENGE THEM: Set the kids a daily challenge throughout half-term. It could be the number of steps they do, star jumps or picking up toys from the floor.

Making housework fun could be good for you too!

  • PRICES correct at time of press. Deals/offers subject to availability.

Deal of the day

The Swan multiforce vacuum is £64.99 at Home Bargains

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The Swan multiforce vacuum is £64.99 at Home BargainsCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk

BUST the dust with the Swan multiforce vacuum, available at Home Bargains. Was £119.99, now £64.99.

SAVE: £55

Cheap treat

Lego Minions Gru’s Lab is £12.99 from Aldi

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Lego Minions Gru’s Lab is £12.99 from AldiCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk

KIDS will love this Lego Minions Gru’s Lab, now available at aldi.co.uk for £12.99 instead of £16.99.

SAVE: £4

What’s new?

BE quick as the M&S summer beauty bag is back. For £25 (min. £30 spend on homeware, clothing and/or beauty) you can get 11 travel-sized products from the likes of Clinique and Aveda, worth £160 according to them.

Secure yours at marksandspencer.com.

Top swap

This Go Barefoot pineapple-print shirt costs £85

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This Go Barefoot pineapple-print shirt costs £85Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Zalando's shirt is only £21.99

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Zalando’s shirt is only £21.99Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk

GET into tropical vibes with the Go Barefoot pineapple-print shirt, £85 from thread.com, or head to zalando.co.uk for this Only & Sons shirt, £21.99.

SAVE: £63.01

Leah’s little helper

FOR a royally good night’s sleep, purchase one of the Premier Inn mattresses with £70 off king-sizes and £50 off doubles.

Premier Inn beds are manufactured by the Queen’s very own bed makers Hypnos.

Get yours at premierinn.com/ourbed until June 15.

PLAY NOW TO WIN £200

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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk

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