(and many of them won't cost you a penny)
Here's what's on offer right here.
Total cost: nothing, unless you fancy an ice cream on the way home.
Total cost: Nothing, but you might be tempted to buy a coffee or snacks at some of the local delis and coffee shops.
Held every Thursday and Saturday on Market Hill, Sudbury holds its Town Market and was first mentioned in the Domesday Book. It also has a brilliant town centre farmers markets held on the last Friday of every month. It costs nothing to have a wander, let the kids pick out one thing from the stalls, and soak up some proper town atmosphere. .jpg)
Total Cost: Free to visit, just need money for market goodies.
For a few pounds rather than a few hundred, a volunteer-run River Stour Trust boat trip between Sudbury and Great Henny is a lovely way to spend an hour on the water without needing your own kayak or a day at the coast. The trips run through some of the prettiest stretches of Constable Country, and there's usually an ice cream van or pub waiting at the other end, which is exactly the kind of bribery a summer holiday runs on. You can 
find out more here
Total Cost: £8 per adult, £4 for children aged 5-13 and 4 and under go free
Two proper ancient woodlands within easy reach: Wolves Wood near Hadleigh and Arger Fen near Assington both offer free walking trails through beautiful, shady woodland, which is a genuine blessing on a hot day when the last thing you want is a car park with no shade.
Pack a den-building kit (or just let them loose with sticks) and you've got a free morning sorted.
Total Cost: Free
Clare itself is a small but perfectly formed town, and Clare Castle Country Park is a delightful spot with the ruins of the castle to climb up to. Entry to the park
is free, the town has good tea rooms if you want to treat yourselves, and you can even turn it into a bigger day by walking the disused railway line from Clare to Long Melford.
Total Cost: Entry to the park is free, but you might want to have a bit of cash for the lovely cafe within the park. You'll need a couple of quid for parking.
If you're after something with a bit more going on for younger children, Hollow Trees Farm has its own Farm Trail with animals to feed, tractors to pedal on and tyres to swing on, plus a farm shop and café. There's a modest admission for the trail, but it's the kind of place where the kids will happily spend three hours and you'll only need to buy one coffee. Or bring your own.
Total cost: £7 per person, with children 2 and under going free.
Kentwell is somewhere I know well through LeeStock, but it's worth a family visit in its own right too. The Tudor house and gardens regularly run special events through the summer, and even a wander round the grounds on a quieter day gives the kids a proper "wow" moment. It's a paid attraction, so save it for a treat day or keep an eye out for family ticket offers, but it earns its place on this list. If you would like to visit Kentwell Hall on a regular basis with your family, it might be worth looking into membership as you get unlimited access to the house and gardens and discounts off special days and events. You can find out more here
Total cost: A family ticket costs £50.30 for 2 adults and 2 children on a regular open day. Always book your tickets in advance. There’s also a tea room on site that should be worth a visit.
Gainsborough's House, in the centre of Sudbury, is the childhood home of the artist Thomas Gainsborough and holds a collection of his work alongside changing exhibitions. It's not free, but it's a fraction of the price of a big city gallery, and it's genuinely lovely to be able to say "he grew up two streets from us" to your kids while you're looking at the paintings. However every Tuesday, Gainsborough’s House have Tom’s Tuesdays, where your little artist can unleash their creativity, with a different theme each week. You must book but it’s only £5 https://tickets.gainsborough.org/#event-tickets_54
I would also recommend you pay a visit to The Watering Place Cafe when you visit. Gainsborough’s House are also offering a voucher from your session to claim a FREE Child’s meal with every adule meal purchased.
Total Cost: £5 per child with up to 2 adults.. Plus lunch if you fancy it
For a rainy day or just a change of pace, Mandy's Jewellery and Gifts on Station Road is running free drop-in bead jewellery making classes right through the school holidays. No booking needed, just turn up and get creative, and you only pay for the beads you use. For younger ones aged 2 to 10, Mandy's Big Bucket of Beads is chunky, colourful and easy for little hands, for £5. There's also a lovely little offer running alongside it: make a teddy of your choice in store and get his outfit for half price, so you can walk out with a full new best friend for not very much at all. Both offers run until early September, so there's no rush.
Cost: From £5 for the jewellery making.
For all those train enthusiasts or Thomas fans, you must pay a visit to the East Anglian Train Museum at Chappel and Wakes Colne. Throughout the summer they have some great events, including a Model Railway exhibition and regular visits from Thomas the Tank. But rather than drive, why not take the Gainsborough Line from Sudbury which takes you straight to the Wakes Colne Train Station. The museum is adjacent. You can book tickets and find out more here. Absolute winner if you have someone in your family that's a fan of the classic locomotive or anything train related.
Total cost: Train tickets are about £6.10 for an adult return from Sudbury to Chappel and Wakes Colne. Tickets to the museum are from £8 for an adult and £4 for those aged 4-17
The Quay Theatre have a number of family friendly events over the Summer. There's children's films, plays and more. In August there's a children's magic workshop for children aged 8-16. This will be good - I've seen Mark Mason in action, so be prepared to wowed by the future magician in your family.
Total cost: Depends on the event, but some start at £7. You can book and find out more here
However you spend the next six weeks, I hope it's full of muddy shoes, sticky fingers and the kind of memories that don't need a big budget to make.
If you've got a favourite free or low cost family spot I've missed, let me know. I'd love to add to this list.
