While school holidays can be full of excitement, they can also bring hidden challenges for families. With children home all day, rising grocery bills often add extra pressure to the household budget.

If you’re worried about the increase in cost of food or finding fun but affordable activities to keep your children entertained during school holidays, support is available. From local food banks and pantries, to free fun events, here’s how you can enjoy the school break without overstretching your finances: 

Food Banks vs. Food Pantries 

Food banks

Food banks provide food and support to people in an emergency crisis, which usually lasts for up to three days. To gain access to these food parcels, a referral or a food voucher is required from a professional such as a GP, social worker or a charity organisation. 

Food pantries

Food pantries or community pantries are a long-term solution which are available to local residents without the need for a referral. For a small membership fee, costing between £2 and £5, customers are free to choose from a range of grocery items including fresh fruit and veg, frozen items, tinned food, rice, pasta, etc. 

Where to find local food support

• Food banks 

  To find an emergency food bank near you, visit the Trussell Trust’s website, who aim to have one centre open each day in North and South Liverpool. 

  • Foodbanks in North Liverpool 
  • Foodbanks in South Liverpool 

  Find food support in your local area below:

  • Sefton 
  • Liverpool 
  • Wirral 
  • St Helens 
  • Cheshire East 
  • Cheshire West 
  • Knowsley 
  • Chorley 

   

• Food clubs

  To search for community food spaces, pantries and mobile markets in your area, visit the Feeding Liverpool’s website. They are led by local people and organisations, and help you connect with the community through activities as well as volunteering. 

• Free school meals

  During term-time, your children may be eligible to receive free school meals. To check the eligibility criteria and apply, visit the Government’s website.

Dining out offers for kids 

To help your budget go further this half term, we’ve found the best deals where children can eat for free or at a significant discount:

• Asda Cafe

  Kids eat for £1 all day, everyday. They also offer a free piece of fruit with every meal.

• Morrisons Cafe

  One free kids meal with an adult meal costing a minimum of £5, available all year round. In addition, children and adults can enjoy a free breakfast with a piece of fruit during every school holiday (depending on availability).

• Tesco Cafe

  One free kids meal with any adult purchase made using a Clubcard (Weekdays only).

• Sainsbury’s Cafe

  Kids can get a hot meal for £1 with an adult spend of £5.20 or more.

• IKEA

  Kids meals starting from 95p are available from 11am onwards, without any minimum spend.

• Restaurants around the region

  A wide range of restaurants are offering ‘kids eat free’ deals with an adult purchase, including Frankie and Benny’s, Bella Italia, Zizzi, Cafe Rouge, Yo! Sushi, The Real Greek, Sizzling Pubs, Bill’s, Brewdog, Banana Tree, Subway and many more. T&Cs apply.

Low-cost and free fun activities 

Keeping the kids entertained this half term can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. From local museums to community festivals, there are plenty of fantastic free and low cost activities happening across the region:

• World Museum

  Visit the newly reopened Dinosaur Gallery on level four – Wild World: Dinosaurs and Natural History, a perfect spot for little explorers!

• Royal Albert Dock

  Enjoy the Fiesta of Fire, large scale dragon installations, Chinese New Year parade and Dock Shorts animations projected on the Maritime Museum from 14th – 22nd February, 2026.

• Tate Liverpool + RIBA North

  Create multi-coloured replicas of marine life using collages and print stamping blocks in this incredible workshop. Happening daily until 22nd February from 10am – 4 pm.