Whether it’s the school holidays or the weekend is coming up, you might be wondering how you will keep your children entertained, without spending a fortune.

This page is here to show that giving children the freedom to be imaginative and creative through play can be more valuable than costly toys or expensive days out. You’ll find plenty of low-cost and free adventures that children can enjoy at home and in our communities, over the summer and beyond. 

Looking for inspiration? Watch our new short film featuring children from across Wales, to mark Playday 2023. This year’s Playday is all about ‘Playing on a shoestring – making everyday an adventure.’

The film shows simple play ideas that don’t need to involve expensive activities, costly toys, or trips to far-off destinations this summer, as children around Wales are presented with a box of everyday household items to inspire play.

Using their innate creativity and sense of fun, the children create their own play, without adult involvement.

Give it a go!

Give your children the freedom to explore play their way this summer. Use the film as inspiration with some of the following everyday household items – or whatever else you have around:

• Shoelaces
• Rubber gloves
• Loo roll tubes
• Masking tape
• Pens
• Eggbox 
• Bed sheet
• Wooden spoons
• Longer cardboard tubes
• Shells
• Sticks
• Little stones or rocks
• Pinecones
• Bits of cardboard
• Random bits of paper of various sizes
• Small pots or pans
• Aluminium foil
• Clothes pegs
• Cotton wool

Get involved

Share your playing on a shoestring play ideas and your family's everyday adventures with us on social media, using the #PlayingOnAShoestring and #Playday2023 hashtags.