1. Get Creative at Folkestone Museum

Mark 28 August in your summer holiday calendar for some free family fun at Folkestone Museum on Guildhall Street.

The museum is running Summer Holiday Fun sessions, with family-friendly workshops designed for children and young people under 13. There are four activity sessions each day at:

• 10:30am
• 11:30am
• 1:30pm
• 2:30pm

Best of all, the activities are free. You’ll need to pick up a free timed ticket from the main reception desk on the day. Tickets are first come, first served, and advance booking isn’t available. Donations are appreciated.

It’s another fantastic example of how families can enjoy budget family days out in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh without spending a fortune.

Find the latest information at Folkestone Museum What’s On.

Budget tip: Arrive early if you want to give yourself the best chance of getting your preferred session.

2. Get Lost at the Marsh Maze in Dymchurch

A summer holiday classic – and one that can provide plenty of entertainment for the whole family!

The Marsh Maze in Dymchurch is a great option for families trying to keep costs down, the Marsh Maze can be a brilliant alternative to some of the bigger, more expensive attractions. Add a picnic to the trip and you can make a whole day of it without needing to spend lots on food and extras.

The Maze may not be open at the moment but children can burn off plenty of energy in the water fight arena, on the inflatables, the playgrounds, playing mini golf or on the little train rides around the site!

Budget tip: Take your own drinks and picnic lunch to keep the day even more affordable.

3. Hunt for Treasures at The Warren Beach

Sometimes the best family adventures cost absolutely nothing.

Head to The Warren Beach in Folkestone and turn a simple trip to the seaside into a treasure hunt. The area is a great place for children to look for sea glass and fossils, making it a brilliant choice for curious little explorers.

Give the children a small container or bag and challenge them to see what interesting things they can spot. You could even create your own seaside scavenger hunt before you leave home.

Who can find the most interesting pebble? Can anyone spot sea glass? What about a fossil? There’s no need for expensive equipment, just bring your eyes, your enthusiasm and perhaps a bucket and spade.

For families searching for budget family days out in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh, this is exactly the kind of simple seaside adventure that proves you don’t have to spend lots to have a memorable day.

Budget tip: Bring a picnic, reusable drinks bottles and your own beach toys from home.

4. Explore Brockhill Park

Fancy escaping to the countryside? Brockhill Park near Saltwood is another fantastic option for an affordable family day out.

With walks, open spaces and a playpark, there are plenty of opportunities to get outside and let the children run, climb and explore.

The park is also worth keeping an eye on during the summer holidays, as there are often budget-friendly events and activities taking place.

And, of course, one of the biggest advantages of a countryside day out is that the main attraction is simply being outdoors!

Bring a picnic blanket, pack some sandwiches and make your own adventure. You could even turn the walk into a mini nature trail, challenging the children to spot different flowers, birds, trees or insects along the way.

When it comes to budget family days out in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh, Brockhill Park is a great reminder that fresh air and a little imagination can go a very long way.

Budget tip: A homemade picnic + free outdoor play = a very wallet-friendly day.

5. Let the Little Ones Loose at Fun Tots in Hawkinge

If you have a baby or toddler, keeping little ones entertained all summer can quickly become expensive. That’s where Fun Tots at Hawkinge Community Centre comes in.

Running every Wednesday and Friday throughout the summer holidays, Fun Tots is a brilliant baby and toddler group with toys and a bouncy castle in the large hall. There’s plenty of room for little ones to move around, play and have fun in a safe environment – and it’s a great opportunity for grown-ups to meet other local families too.

For parents looking for budget family days out in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh with younger children, a local toddler group can be a real summer holiday lifesaver.

Budget tip: Check the session details before heading out and make it part of a wider low-cost day with a picnic or trip to a nearby park.

6. Stories for Kids and Coffee for Grown-Ups at Folkestone Bookshop

Need something to do on a Thursday morning?

Head to Folkestone Bookshop on Tontine Street for weekly children’s story time, running throughout the summer holidays.

The idea is wonderfully simple: stories for kids, coffee for grown-ups! Storytime runs on Thursdays from 11:30am–12:30pm, giving families a relaxed way to enjoy books together.

It’s another great option for those days when you want to get out of the house without committing to an expensive attraction. And if the children discover a new favourite book while they’re there, you can always add a library visit to the week’s itinerary and see if you can borrow it rather than buy it.

Budget tip: Combine story time with a walk around Folkestone afterwards for a lovely, low-cost morning.

7. All Aboard the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway for Just £5

Now this one is a real summer holiday treat!

On Fridays and Sundays throughout August, children can travel on the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway for just £5, with under-3s travelling free. A miniature railway journey is the sort of experience that feels like a proper day out – without necessarily carrying the price tag of a major attraction.

Whether your children are train enthusiasts or simply love the excitement of hopping aboard, it’s a fantastic way to explore the Romney Marsh area.

You can pre-book or simply turn up, subject to the railway’s arrangements. Before travelling, check the latest information via the railway’s social media post: Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway – £5 summer offer.

Budget tip: Take a packed lunch with you and turn your train journey into an affordable full-day adventure.

8. Make a Day of It at Folkestone Harbour Arm

The Folkestone Harbour Arm is one of those places where you can easily spend as much or as little as you like.

There is SO much going on from events and open-air cinema to the harbour marketplace, restaurants, food stalls, the carousel and the historic Harbour Station.

The trick for families on a budget is to focus on the free and low-cost activities, take your own snacks where appropriate and plan ahead.

There are also some brilliant children’s sessions taking place over the summer:

• Mondays: Bee Free on the Farm activities
• Thursdays: B Style Breakdance Academy sessions, where children can learn to “get down”
• Fridays: Coastal Cruisers’ free skate sessions for ages 5–16, running from 10am–3pm on Platform 3

With so much to see and do, the Harbour Arm can easily become one of your favourite budget family days out in Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh.

Check the latest events and what’s happening during your visit at Folkestone Harbour Arm events.

Budget tip: Set a family spending limit before you go. That way, everyone knows how much is available for treats!