Summer Fun Without Breaking the Bank

The summer holidays are a great opportunity for children to relax and make memories, but they can also bring extra costs for families. Planning ahead and making the most of available support can help keep spending under control. There is some welcome news this year too, with a temporary VAT cut reducing VAT from 20% to 5% on eligible attractions and children's meals at participating venues, helping to make family days out a little more affordable.

For more ideas, money saving tips and sources of support this summer, take a look below.

Plan & Budget Ahead

Before the school holidays begin, work out what you can realistically afford to spend on meals, activities and childcare, and set a holiday budget that includes a weekly spending limit to help you avoid overspending. It can also help to use a simple spending tracker, whether that's a notebook or a phone app, so you can keep an eye on what you have left as the weeks go by.

Low-Cost Days Out & Activities

• Parks, nature trails and local green spaces are free to enjoy and great for children’s wellbeing. Find a nature trail near you.
• Museums, galleries and libraries often offer free entry and creative activities during school holidays.
• Check council events and holiday programmes in your area, many organise free or subsidised outings and workshops.
• Organisations such as the National Trust offer free family passes at various points throughout the year, so it’s also worth seeing if any similar schemes are running in the upcoming school holidays.

• The Family Holiday Charity supports low-income families (typically with a household income below £24,000) who have not had a holiday in the past four years and have at least one child under 18. Families cannot apply directly and must be referred by a registered professional, such as a teacher, social worker, health visitor, or support worker.

Family Food Wins

• Cook in batches and freeze meals, this spreads the cost of food over several days. Check out these tasty recipes for some foody inspiration!
• Pack lunches and snacks for days out rather than buying food at attractions.
• Look out for ‘kids‑eat‑free or for £1’ deals at restaurants or supermarkets.

• Free school meal vouchers (where offered): Some councils provide food vouchers during school breaks- check your local authority’s website for details.

Cut Childcare Costs

• Check if your eligible for support with childcare costs through benefits such as the Tax‑Free Childcare scheme.

• Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme: If your child receives free school meals during term time, you may be able to access free holiday clubs offering meals and activities- contact your local council to check availability.

Big Adventures, Little Cost

• Picnics by the beach or in local parks are cheap and fun.
• Create themed days at home. Get creative with science experiments, crafting or a family film festival.
• Inspire children to enjoy plants and gardening, grab some cheap seeds and get growing this summer! Some larger garden centres offer free children’s clubs throughout summer, but be quick as spaces fill up quickly!

Support Made Simple

You can use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator to check what financial help you may be entitled to, including childcare and other support. You can also contact your local council to check holiday club offers, food support and voucher schemes in your area.