During the school holidays, many parents face the familiar challenge of keeping kids entertained without overspending. Rising costs and the pressure to provide memorable experiences can be stressful – here are some steps to help you avoid school holiday money stress.
Understand the pressure
The first thing to acknowledge is that the pressures you may be facing are not uncommon.
A 2024 Action for Children survey found ‘52% of parents can’t afford a short break or activities for their children this summer.’ And faced with the rising costs in the two years since, it’s unlikely that percentage has dropped.
Many parents may share your concerns, so reach out to others to share your feelings.
The burden of anxiety, guilt and even shame that you might feel could be eased by communicating openly with friends, family or parenting groups. And articulating experiences might even generate practical ideas for low-cost activities as well as providing emotional relief. Websites like Netmums offer forums where parents can discuss challenges and share solutions.
Develop practical strategies
There are many things you can do to achieve tangible positives, such as:
1) Be mindful
Manage stress by exploring techniques including meditation or deep breathing. Apps like Headspace or Calm provide resources tailored to parents seeking to find a moment of peace amid the chaos.
2) Create a budget
Plan a budget specifically for the summer holiday period to better understand your limits and plan accordingly. Free online resources like Citizens Advice can help guide you through this budgeting process. We also provide our own Budgeting Help & Guidance resources here.
3) Plan ahead
Look out for discounted tickets or early bird specials for attractions you want to visit. Websites such as AttractionTix often have deals that can significantly reduce the cost of family outings.
4) Explore free activities
The UK is rich in free or low-cost activities, including local parks, museums, community events, summer festivals or kids’ workshops. Websites like MoneySavingExpert and VisitBritain provide information on local attractions with no entry fees.
5) Share costs
Consider pooling resources with other parents with playdates and shared activity days or even coordinate group outings to spread costs. As well as potentially helping you financially, this could also help strengthen your support network.
6) Home-based fun
Encourage creativity at home with DIY activities to engage children without spending too much. From arts and crafts to cooking projects, there are plenty of low-cost ways to engage children – check websites like Pinterest for inspiration.
Create memories, not problems
If the school holiday money stress becomes too much this summer, don’t hesitate to seek help. The goal should be to implement practical strategies to navigate this period without resorting to borrowing.
If you have any questions about managing debt or budgeting during the coming weeks, contact us via phone, email, text or online chat.
