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With the summer holidays approaching, many parents are thinking about how to keep children entertained for several weeks. But the cost of activities, extra food, travel and childcare gaps can quickly add up.
New research from Creditspring shows parents face an estimated £10.1 billion annual “School Holiday Bill”, with school holidays adding £1,241 a year on average to family costs.
These costs are not always big one-off expenses. They are often the smaller, repeated costs - snacks, lunches, days out, transport and activities - that build up over time.
A financial shock: 61% of parents say school holidays feel like a financial shock, even though they know they are coming.
Summer pressure: 68% say the summer holidays are their most expensive school break, compared with 17% who say Christmas.
Worry before the holidays start: 59% of parents worry about the cost of school holidays in advance.
Pressure to spend: 67% feel pressure to spend money so their child does not miss out.
Parent guilt: 71% feel guilty when they cannot afford activities, trips or treats.
The biggest cost increase is not always formal childcare. For many families, the pressure comes from keeping children busy and entertained.
43% of parents say days out and activities are where spending increases most.
25% say extra food and snacks are the biggest added cost.
51% spend more than planned to keep children away from too much screen time.
Many parents are having to make difficult choices to manage school holiday spending.
20% expect to dip into savings.
17% expect to cut back elsewhere.
33% expect to rely on credit, borrowing, delayed payments or support from friends and family.
56% have sometimes reduced hours, taken unpaid leave or turned down work because of school holiday childcare.
Tamsin Powell, Consumer Finance Expert at Creditspring, says:
“School holidays should be something families look forward to, but for millions of parents they have become a predictable financial shock. The cost is not one single expense - it is extra food, activities, transport, childcare gaps, energy use and the pressure to keep children entertained. That all adds up quickly, especially during the summer when costs continue for weeks.”
Treat the holidays like a recurring bill
School holidays happen every year but the costs can feel like they creep up on you. Estimating your total spend in advance on food, activities, travel and childcare, then breaking it into a weekly budget, can make it feel easier to plan.
2. Plan unavoidable costs firstStart with essentials such as food, transport, childcare and household bills. Once these are covered, it is easier to see what is left for activities and treats.
3. Set a weekly activity budgetSmall costs can spiral over several weeks. A weekly activity budget helps you say yes to some things without feeling pressured to say yes to everything.
4. Look for free and low-cost options earlyLibraries, parks, community groups and council schemes can help reduce costs. Popular free activities often book up quickly, so planning early gives you more choice.
5. Avoid expensive last-minute borrowingIf the holidays are likely to stretch your budget, look at your options before costs build up. Understanding the cost of borrowing upfront can help avoid hidden fees or unsuitable credit.
6. Review what workedAfter each school break, look at what cost more than expected, what your children enjoyed most and what you could plan differently next time.
School holidays should not feel like a financial crisis. But for many families, the extra costs are real and the pressure to keep children entertained can be hard to manage.
By planning ahead, setting limits and focusing on what matters most, parents can make the holidays feel more manageable - financially and emotionally.
