The best things in life are free, so the saying goes. Yet so much about the school summer holidays is geared towards shelling out money.However, there are plenty of ways families can get out and about and visit some of the fantastic things are country has to offer without spending a penny. Here are just a few ideas.Great outdoorsIn the UK, we are blessed with some of the finest countryside, beaches and other open spaces in the world. From moors and mountains to rolling fields and forests, there is bountiful choice of days out that don’t cost anything to visit, apart from possible transport costs.And if cities and towns are more your thing, take a stroll through historic streets to discover what life was like, and hidden gems. To help, you could take out a guide from the library for free, or there are free walking tours available online.‌MuseumsIt is estimated there are about 2,500 museums in the UK, depending on what you include. And there is a free entry policy to national museums and collections that are funded directly by the central government of each UK nation.There may still be a charge for temporary exhibitions. One example of many is the National Railway Museum in York, where there is an optional donation instead. Almost all university museums and a large number of local authority museums also operate a free admissions policy.‌English HeritageMany of the historic English Heritage sites are free to enter. It means you can explore prehistoric monuments, Roman ruins and medieval castles across the country - for nothing.They include Lydford Castle and Saxon Town in Devon to Eynsford Castle in Kent, the Welsh Border fortress of Clun Castle, to Norham Castle in Northumberland.Free festivalsThere are lots of local events put on free the length and breadth of the country over the summer. From summer fetes to community events, they are a great way to have fun and support local causes.Some are a bit bigger, with events - from arts and craft to music - spread over a number of weeks.‌In London, King’s Cross Summer Sounds runs from now to August 23 with folk, jazz, soul, classical and indie rock music, and dance performances. And in Manchester, Black Gold Arts event on August 15 promises a day of free outdoor arts and live performances.Families on benefitsWhile there are plenty of activities parents can do with the kids for free, the reality is others come with a big price tag. And shelling out can be especially daunting - or impossible - for those already on low incomes.However, if you are on Universal Credit or other benefits, there are plenty of discounted days out across the UK, with some tickets costing as low as £1. The qualifying benefits vary by attraction, so make sure to check in advance, but can also include Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, of Disability Living Allowance.‌Here are some examples, based on research by Christians Against Poverty.Windsor Castle: There are £1 tickets for admission to Windsor Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Mews and The King’s Galleries in London and Edinburgh. Also applies to Buckingham Palace but its website says they are sold out of £1 entries.London Transport Museum: Unlimited annual pass for £4.38 ( usually £23.62) at the moment for Universal Credit and Pension Credit recipients.Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire: Has Universal Credit tickets priced £10 (£11 with donation) for adults and £5 for children.‌Eureka! Science + Discovery, Merseyside: Has £5 Universal Credit or Pension Credit day tickets per person (usually £15.65 for adults and children aged 3 plus over the summer).Chatsworth House, Derbyshire: Universal Credit prices are £3 for adults (aged 17 plus) and £1 for children.Eden Project, Cornwall: Has day tickets for those in receipt of Universal Credit, Pension Credit or certain other benefits, priced £15 per adult, and £7.50 per child.Edinburgh Zoo: Tickets cost as little as £8 with under 3s free.‌Great British Summer SavingsLabour’s Great British Summer Saving scheme was launched at the end of June to ease the cost of living crisis for families - with VAT cut on things like meals and days out. The government is cutting VAT from 20% to 5% on family days out — from cinema and theatre tickets to attractions, and children’s meals out - until September 1.The Treasury says more than 2,000 businesses across the UK have now signed-up with offers, and new ones are being added all the time. Visit https://summersavings.gov.uk/ to see who is taking part near you, or where you’re visiting.As part of the same announcement, kids age 15 and under in England will get free bus travel for the whole month of August.‌Meal dealsEating out can swallow up a big chunk of family budgets through the long summer break. The good news is there are loads of big name restaurant chains doing kids eat free offers, or others for a next to nothing. Research put together with information from discount website VoucherCodes.co.uk and Christians Against Poverty.Asda Cafes: Kids eat for £1 (kids hot meal deal or cold pick and mix selection) with no adult minimum spend.Dobbies Garden Centres: As part of the Government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme, children can get breakfast for 88p with any adult traditional or full breakfast. Alternatively, a child’s hot meal or pick ‘n’ mix lunch box for the same with any adult main course.Dunelm Pausa Cafes: Kids eat free (one children’s main meal, two snacks and a drink) with every £4 spent in the cafe.‌Morrisons Cafes: Kids eat free when bought with a adult main meal of £5 or over. Includes Birds Eye Chicken Dippers, Birds Eye Fish Fingers, Birds Eye Green Cuisine Veggie Fingers or Goodfella’s Mini 4 Cheese Pizza and any kids drink.Ask Italian: Get up to two kids’ meals for free with the purchase of an adult main.Bella Italia: Kids Eat Free Sunday to Thursday throughout the summer holidays when you purchase an adult main course.Bill’s: Up to two kids can eat free when one adult orders any main (breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner).‌Cafe Rouge: Kids eat free - midday to 4pm - with every adult main purchased.Frankie and Benny’s: Kids eat free - Monday to Sunday - when bought with an adult main.Ikea: Prices start from 85p for children’s pasta and tomato sauce. Most expensive main meal is £2.60.Premier Inn: When an adult orders a full Premier Inn Breakfast or a Meal Deal, up to two under 16s eat breakfast for free.‌TGI Fridays: Children up to 12 years old can enjoy a free kids’ main meal when buying a full price adult’s main meal.The Real Greek: On Sundays, get a free kids’ meal including a drink and ice cream, for every £15 spent by an adult. Only valid when eating in excludes the lunch menu.Yo! Sushi: For every £10 spent by an adult, children up to the age of 12 get a free bento box when dining in (offer valid all day Monday to Friday during the school holidays).