Families in Swindon looking for something to keep the children occupied during the final stretch of the summer holidays could be in luck, with hundreds of free tickets being offered for attractions at Birmingham’s NEC.
The giveaway has been launched by the NEC after research found that parents can reach their limit just 19 days into the six-week school holidays, as the familiar search for new ways to entertain the children begins to wear thin.
A limited number of free tickets are available for the August Bank Holiday weekend, giving families the chance to enjoy some of the NEC’s attractions without adding another expense to the holiday budget.
Among the experiences included in the offer is Peppa Pig Space Adventure, an interactive journey which takes visitors from Peppa’s front door all the way to the moon.
Families can also explore Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition, which uses large-scale projections, virtual reality and free-roaming technology to bring ancient Egypt to life.
For those after something a little more energetic, the Gladiator Experience offers visitors the chance to put their strength and skills to the test in an attraction inspired by the popular television series.
And there is an option for those who don’t manage to secure one of the free tickets. NEC Lakeside offers a free outdoor cinema and play area throughout the summer, with no tickets or advance booking required.
The offer follows research commissioned by the NEC which found that parents begin to feel the strain around the third week of the school holidays, juggling childcare, work and the constant requests for something to do.
The study also found that the average parent spends more than five hours a week searching for activities to keep the family occupied.
Sarah Harvey, Deputy CEO at the NEC, said: “Six weeks of summer can feel endless when you’re juggling work, childcare and rising costs, and our research shows just how quickly parents can run out of ideas.
“We wanted to give families in Swindon a chance to enjoy brilliant days out together without worrying about the spend, which is why we’re offering a limited number of free tickets.”
For families watching the pennies, it could provide a welcome opportunity to squeeze one more day out of the summer before the school bags are packed and the new term begins.
How to enter
Parents can enter the draw for free tickets through the NEC’s competition website. Tickets are limited and subject to availability.
Enter the NEC free ticket giveaway
