A museum visit, a few hours outdoors or a free creative workshop can be enough to fill a weekend with your child in Bucharest. And you don't need to spend hundreds of lei to make it happen. With a budget of 100 lei for one adult and one child, you can plan an entire day out, including a snack and public transport, provided you choose your activities carefully.

October is a good month for combining outdoor activities with museum visits. The Botanical Garden, Văcărești Natural Park, the Antipa Museum and Bucharest's public libraries offer very different experiences, with affordable admission fees or free entry.

The five options below are designed for one adult and one school-age child. Food and transport budgets are planning estimates, not prices charged by specific businesses. Admission fees are based on the published rates for the relevant attractions.

1. A morning at the Antipa Museum, followed by a walk along Kiseleff

The Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History is one of those places that works regardless of the weather. Children can discover animals from different parts of the world, skeletons, fossils and dioramas recreating natural habitats.

The museum is located at 1 Șoseaua Kiseleff, right next to Victoriei Square, so you can easily follow your visit with a walk through the Kiseleff area. If the weather is good, an hour in the park can complete the outing without adding anything to your expenses.

According to the published admission rates, an adult ticket costs 32 lei, while a ticket for schoolchildren costs 8 lei. Preschool children enter free of charge. Until October 31, the museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 AM to 8 PM, with last admission at 7 PM. It is closed on Mondays.

If you want to explore other options, there is also a selection of 12 museums in Bucharest worth visiting with children.

Estimated budget for one adult and one schoolchild:

• Museum admission: 40 lei

• Snacks and water: 30 lei

• Transport: 15 lei

• Walk along Kiseleff: free

Estimated total: 85 lei.

That leaves 15 lei for any additional expenses. If your child is of preschool age, the museum visit will cost even less.

2. The Botanical Garden: a nature outing without leaving Bucharest

At the Dimitrie Brândză Botanical Garden, October gives children the chance to observe seasonal changes firsthand. They can compare the leaves of different tree species, look for seeds and fruits, and discover plants they wouldn't normally encounter in their neighbourhood park.

The garden is located at 32 Șoseaua Cotroceni. For a primary-school child, you can turn the walk into a game: identify five different types of leaves, look for trees with the largest seeds or photograph plants whose names you want to find out later.

The Botanical Garden and its plant collections can easily keep you occupied for several hours, without having to visit every part of the grounds in a single day.

Admission prices change halfway through October. From October 1 to 15, outdoor admission costs 15 lei for adults and 10 lei for schoolchildren. From October 16, prices drop to 8 lei and 5 lei respectively. The greenhouses and Botanical Museum require separate tickets.

Opening hours also change during the month. Until October 15, the outdoor areas are open from 8 AM to 8 PM. From October 16, they are open from 9 AM to 3:30 PM.

Estimated budget for the first half of October:

• Admission for one adult and one schoolchild: 25 lei

• Snacks and water: 35 lei

• Transport: 15 lei

Estimated total: 75 lei.

From October 16, the same outing would cost approximately 63 lei, assuming the same food and transport budgets.

3. Văcărești Delta: discovering the city's wildlife

At Văcărești Natural Park, you won't find conventional playgrounds, carousels or souvenir shops. Instead, you can observe birds, reed beds, open water and wild vegetation in a protected natural area within Bucharest itself.

Văcărești Natural Park covers approximately 183 hectares and gives children the opportunity to discover an ecosystem quite different from the city's landscaped parks.

If your child loves animals, prepare a list of birds you can try to identify together. Binoculars, if you already own a pair, can make the walk even more interesting. There's no need to buy special equipment.

Autumn is an interesting time for birdwatching, including the chance to spot migrating species. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, however, so think of the visit as an opportunity to explore rather than a trip to the zoo.

You can also discover other free and inexpensive experiences in Bucharest, including further information about exploring the Văcărești Delta.

Regular access to the park is free. Choose a dry day, wear suitable shoes and stick to established paths. Check the park administrator's latest information about access and any organised activities before visiting.

Estimated budget:

• Park admission: free

• Snacks and water: 35 lei

• Transport: 15 lei

Estimated total: 50 lei.

If you decide to join a guided tour, check registration requirements and any additional fees separately.

4. The Metropolitan Library: books, games and free workshops

A library can be an excellent option for rainy days, particularly if you choose a branch with dedicated children's spaces and activities.

The Bucharest Metropolitan Library provides free access to books, films, music and games. At different times throughout the year, it also organises reading clubs, creative workshops and other educational activities.

Library membership is free. Children under 14 need a parent or guardian's identity document to register, while children under seven must be accompanied by an adult.

Not every branch organises the same activities, and workshops aren't necessarily available every weekend. Check the Metropolitan Library's official website for opening hours and upcoming events before choosing a date.

If there isn't a workshop scheduled when you want to visit, you can simply spend time discovering books together. Your child can choose a few titles to borrow, and you can continue the activity at home with a reading session or a drawing inspired by one of the stories.

This is also a useful alternative when you're looking for an educational outing that doesn't involve buying tickets or paying for a children's entertainment centre.

Estimated budget:

• Library admission: free

• Free activity, if scheduled: 0 lei

• Snacks and water: 30 lei

• Transport: 15 lei

Estimated total: 45 lei.

Libraries may have reduced opening hours or be closed at weekends, so check your chosen branch's schedule before setting off.

5. A day in Carol Park, with games and an autumn picnic

If the weather is good, Carol Park can easily keep you occupied for several hours without an admission ticket. It has wide paths, changes in elevation, stairways and areas where children can run or ride bicycles, wherever cycling is permitted.

Instead of heading straight for the playground, prepare a route through the park. Look for trees with different leaves, examine the monuments and try to discover a few details about the area's history.

Carol Park was originally developed for the Romanian General Exhibition of 1906, and its layout still preserves elements of the historic design. It is also one of the places featured in this guide to autumn walks in Bucharest.

For lunch, prepare sandwiches, fruit and water at home. If the weather allows, bring a blanket and stop in an area where sitting on the grass is permitted. A ball, a card game or a few simple navigation challenges should provide plenty of entertainment for the rest of the afternoon.

Estimated budget:

• Park admission: free

• Food and drinks, homemade or purchased: 40 lei

• Transport: 15 lei

Estimated total: 55 lei.

How to keep your spending below 100 lei

One of the easiest ways to save money is to choose just one paid activity and combine it with something free nearby. After visiting the Antipa Museum, for example, you can walk along Kiseleff. After the Botanical Garden, you can continue exploring the Cotroceni neighbourhood.

If you need more inspiration, there are also other activities in Bucharest that cost little or nothing, including cultural experiences and urban walks.

The budgets above are calculated for one adult and one child. They don't include travelling by private car or eating at restaurants. The amounts allocated to snacks and transport are estimates. Families with two or more children will need to adjust the figures according to their children's ages and the discounts available.

For museums and workshops, always check opening hours and admission requirements before leaving home. Free workshops may require advance registration, while discounted tickets for schoolchildren may require proof of eligibility.