Editorial feature by 101 EasyWays 

The rising price of everyday essentials has left many of us with less spare cash to spend on the fun things in life.

Family days out in the city can be expensive, but fortunately there are still plenty of ways to keep youngsters entertained on a tight budget.

With dark, musty rooms and 'don't touch' signs galore, museums used to be unwelcoming places for kids. How things have changed!

You'll find many now go out of their way to be child friendly, with dedicated kids' galleries, play areas and interactive exhibits.

With hundreds of free museums in cities across the country there's guaranteed to be one near you - so get searching now.

Of course, museums aren't the only places offering free events for families on weekends and holidays.

Many local councils offer activity sessions for all ages, from sports like football and tennis to dance classes and craft clubs - all of which can make a great highlight for a day out.

To discover what's available near you, find your local authority's website through the Local Government Association at local.gov.uk.

And be sure to check out sites like free-events.co.uk, which list festivals, parades, carnivals and community events across the UK.

Kids love having fun in the great outdoors, and one of the most magical aspects of growing up is discovering the wonders of nature.

While we often associate green spaces and wildlife with the countryside, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy them in the city too.

The Wildlife Trusts looks after 2,300 nature reserves, many of which are in urban areas and offer child-friendly activities like gardening classes, bug hunts and wildlife workshops. Find out more at wildlifetrusts.org.

Alternatively, you can get up close and personal with farmyard animals at a city farm - many of which are run by educational charities so offer free or cheap admission.

Traditional tourist attractions like theme parks, interactive experiences and theatres might not usually offer the same value, but they don't have to break the bank.

Lots of them offer family deals and free admission for children under a certain age or allow you to use vouchers you've earned through supermarket rewards schemes.

If you work for a big company, it's also worth checking to see if they offer a discount scheme as these often cover popular sites.