The cost of entertaining your kids during the school break can easily spiral out of control too.
But a fun day out needn’t cost the earth, with plenty of free attractions to visit across South Yorkshire.
Here are some of the best free days out in Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham, from fascinating museums and galleries to scenic walks, farms and more.
All the attractions listed are free to enter, and if you take a picnic all you’ll need to cover is the cost of getting there.
These day trips are suitable for anyone, not just families, and you can visit them at any time of the year, though you should check they’re open on the day you’re planning to visit as not all of them are open throughout the week.
13. Travel back in time at Elsecar Heritage Centre
You can learn about South Yorkshire's industrial history at Elsecar Heritage Centre, in Barnsley, home to the Fitzwilliam family's former ironworks and industrial workshops. As well as a visitor centre, there are gift shops, two popular cafes, The Pantry and Brambles Tea Rooms, and a beer tap, the Maison du Biere, serving brews from around the world. Elsecar itself is a pretty village with some charming traditional pubs. It boasts a large park with a stream running through it, an excellent children's play area, a nine-hole pitch and putt golf course, a sand pit and picnic area, and a reservoir and nature reserve, among other facilities. | Kerrie Beddows Photo: Kerrie Beddows