If you want to save money on theme park tickets and family days out, you are not alone. Every summer holiday, UK parents face the exact same struggle: within the very first week, the kids are already complaining they are bored!
When you’re balancing work—especially if you’re working from home—trying to keep the kids entertained without breaking the bank is a serious juggling act.
A single family day out to a major theme park, zoo, or attraction can easily set you back £200 to £300 once you factor in entry tickets, travel, parking, and food. While the government occasionally introduces leisure savings or tax perks, for most everyday families, it simply isn’t enough to cushion the blow.
If you want to keep the family entertained without draining your savings, here are a few smart, practical ways to save money on theme park tickets and attraction passes this summer.
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1. Check Your Workplace Benefits & Perks Scheme
Before you pay full retail price for any attraction tickets online, look into your employer’s HR portal or employee benefits scheme. This is often the easiest place to save money on theme park tickets without spending hours searching for codes.
Many companies partner with perk platforms (like Reward Gateway, Perkbox, or internal staff discount schemes) that offer substantial discounts on:
- Theme park day passes (like Alton Towers, Drayton Manor, or Legoland)
- Cinema tickets and bowling
- Museums, aquariums, and family experiences
Pro Tip: If you or your partner work for the NHS, emergency services, social care, or the armed forces, make sure you’re utilizing your Blue Light Card. The savings on UK attractions and holiday bookings through it are huge.
2. Leverage Special Discount Schemes & Passes
You don’t need to pay full door-price when there are dedicated discount passes built specifically to help families save money on theme park tickets:
- Kids Pass: A subscription service (often available for a £1 trial) that unlocks up to 40% off cinema tickets, theme parks, and family restaurants across the UK.
- The Sun Superdays: A classic staple for cheap family days out. By collecting codes or digital tokens through The Sun, you can land free or heavily discounted tickets to top Merlin attractions.
3. Search Local Discount Groups on Facebook
Social media isn’t just for scrolling—it’s a massive tool to help you save money on theme park tickets.
Search Facebook for local community groups or dedicated national groups focused on family savings (e.g., “UK Theme Park Discounts & Vouchers” or “Cheap Family Days Out“).
Members frequently share active promo codes, 2-for-1 supermarket cereal box vouchers, and legitimate group booking discounts for major attractions like Drayton Manor or Alton Towers.
4. Pack a Picnic (The Hidden Day-Out Saver)
Ticket costs are only half the battle. Once you get inside a theme park or attraction, food and drink prices are sky-high.
Packing a cooler bag with homemade sandwiches, snacks, and refillable water bottles can easily save a family of four £40 to £60 on lunch alone. Put those savings straight back into your household budget!
Don’t Pay Full Price This Summer!
You don’t have to stay locked indoors to keep your summer budget under control. With a little bit of planning and a quick check for workplace perks and voucher schemes, you can take the kids on great days out for a fraction of the cost.
What is the cheapest way to get theme park tickets in the UK?
The cheapest ways to get UK theme park tickets include checking workplace employee perk portals, using a Blue Light Card if eligible, collecting 2-for-1 cereal box promotional vouchers, or using annual newspaper promotions like The Sun Superdays.
Does Blue Light Card give discounts on Alton Towers and Drayton Manor?
Yes, Blue Light Card holders can access discounted day tickets and seasonal offers for major UK attractions, including Alton Towers, Drayton Manor, Legoland, and Thorpe Park.
What are your go-to tricks to save money on theme park tickets and summer days out? Have you found any great 2-for-1 deals this year? Let me know in the comments below!