Free and Cheap Family Days Out
School-holiday ideas in Crofton, Wakefield and nearby that do not need to cost a fortune.
A good day out can be a free craft session, a picnic in the park or one carefully chosen low-cost activity. This guide brings the best August ideas together, with prices and booking information made clear.
Free and low-cost August events
Upcoming activities for the remainder of August. “Drop-in” means no advance booking is normally needed.
Summer at The Hepworth
Daily creative activities, gallery exploration and garden play. Family workshops run on selected days, with indoor options for wet weather and picnic spaces available.
See the summer programmeFamily Fun at Wakefield Museum
Different themed crafts and activities every Saturday. All materials are included and no booking is required.
Check the museum detailsWakefield Community Pride
A family-friendly celebration with performances, stalls, independent makers and free family activities.
View event informationAstronaut Training Days
One-hour drop-off sessions with rocket launches, moon-rock challenges and space-themed movement games. Sessions run at 11am and 1pm.
Check spaces and bookHelios Creative Sessions
Create Brusho-painted planets on 13 August, then sun-catcher window hangings and space-themed sparkle tattoos on 27 August. There is no session on 20 August.
See the workshop detailsSEND-Friendly Creative Session
A gentle, inclusive exploration of Helios with child-led activities, accessible materials, slower transitions and a quiet area. Guide age 4–14.
Read more and bookToddler Disco
A lively morning disco for young children. The organiser advises that there will be loud music and crowds.
Check the disco detailsCoal Mining Museum Summer Holidays
The family summer offer includes craft activities, science shows, a pop-up beach, giant games, trails, horsekeeper talks and unlimited Paddy Train rides. Some bookable tours cost extra.
Plan your museum visitYorkshire Sculpture Park
Explore outdoor sculpture, family resources and acres of parkland. Children aged 18 and under enter free; standard adult admission applies, with reduced late-day entry available during the summer offer.
See summer activities and pricesPrices checked 7 August 2026. Free events can fill up and outdoor activities may change in poor weather. Follow the event links before setting off.
Go-any-day ideas
Useful options when you want to get out without planning around an event time.
Anglers Country Park
Walk around the lake, follow the Room on the Broom Adventure Trail, spot wildlife and take a picnic. Parking is £1 for up to two hours, £2 for four hours or £4 for the day.
Visitor informationPugneys Country Park
A lakeside walk, open space and play opportunities close to Wakefield. Parking is £1 for two hours, £2 for four hours or £4 for the day; Blue Badge holders park free.
Visitor informationFitzwilliam Country Park
Open grassland, woodland and ponds, with way-marked paths suitable for walking, cycling, pushchairs and wheelchairs. There are platforms for pond dipping.
Visitor informationSeckar Wood
A woodland and heathland nature reserve for a quiet walk, wildlife spotting or a simple scavenger hunt. The Seckar Lane car park is open until 9pm during August.
Visitor informationWalton Colliery Nature Park
A network of walking and cycling paths with information panels and access to the Trans Pennine Trail. A good close-to-Crofton option for bikes and a picnic.
Visitor informationThornes Park
Combine the equipped play area with the duck lake, walled garden, aviary and skate park. A miniature steam railway normally runs on many summer weekends and may have a separate charge.
Visitor informationChildren can travel free by bus during August
Children aged 5–15 can travel free on participating West Yorkshire bus services during August 2026. Children under 11 must travel with a supervising adult, and the usual operator terms apply.
Check participating buses and conditionsA few ways to spend even less
- Take refillable bottlesFreeze them partly overnight so drinks stay cool.
- Pack a “choose your own” picnicSandwiches, fruit and snacks from home avoid four separate café orders.
- Check the weatherSave indoor museums and galleries for rainy days and parks for dry ones.
- Use the Kids Eat Free guideCheck current meal offers if eating out is part of the day.
Looking beyond August?
Our general family days-out guide will collect free parks, museums, walks, rainy-day options and low-cost attractions that can be used throughout the year.
Open the general Days Out guide