Summertime can be rather expensive for families across the south. With the kids out of school and the recession still biting it means things are tighter than usual.

But help is at hand this summer as the Daily Echo brings you a guide to what to do and where to go – at the minimum cost to your pocket.

Each day Beat the Crunch will be featuring activities and events happening around Hampshire that are either free or cost next to nothing so you can enjoy the holidays without it costing a fortune.

If the showers continue to put paid to outdoor events, why not try the free ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ event at Portswood Library. Based on Maurice Sendak’s book, this event gives children the chance to create their own wild things and then re-enact the story with their creatures.

Tickets must be bought in advance for the event which runs from 10.30am to 11.30am tomorrow.

For those who think they’re the next Andy Murray, why not prove it at South Hants Tennis Club where anyone can go and play for £3.

If books or sport do not tickle your fancy then how about visiting God’s House Tower to see the Saxon Southampton Revisited exhibition currently on show.

It tells the story of Hamwic, Southampton’s Saxon town, and has two gold pendants found from graves at St Mary’s Stadium.

Admission is £2.50 for adults, £1.50 for children and free for under-7s.

For those wanting a quieter day, Trees in Central Park, Southampton, takes people for a lunchtime stroll around the trees and flowers in full bloom. The walk is free and starts at 12.30pm tomorrow at the Arts Gallery Fountain.