Family days out: How parents can keep costs down this summer

As new research reveals that UK parents are stressed about affording family days out over the summer, here are top tips for keeping costs low, but smiles high.

Seven in 10 parents (69%) are stressed about organising affordable family days out, according to a survey by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

The study revealed that the average cost of a family day out is £93, amounting to upwards of £400 across the school holidays.

While three quarters of respondents (77%) would like to go on fortnightly days out, high costs mean one in five (18%) have nothing planned over the holidays.

The key concerns for families are also highlighted by the 1,000 UK parents questioned. Chief among these worries are the escalating costs of activities (52%), the challenge of discovering affordable day trips (50%), and the considerable effort required to plan engaging, educational outings for their children (32%).

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, whose range includes the family-friendly Multivan, has commissioned Jo Studholme, Parenting Expert, to share her top 10 tips for affordable activities with the kids.

Jo’s top summer holiday tips:

• Embrace the great outdoors: nature is a treasure trove of free entertainment! Explore local parks, forests and beaches. Pack a picnic lunch, go on a scavenger hunt for interesting leaves or insects, or enjoy a simple game of frisbee.
• Get crafty: arts and crafts projects are a great way to unleash creativity without breaking the bank. Use recycled materials like cardboard boxes, egg cartons, or toilet paper rolls for building, decorating, or designing costumes. You could even create nature collages out of those leaves and twigs you’ve scavenged!
• Embrace the staycation: plan a staycation and explore your own city or town. Visit historical landmarks, local attractions with free admission days, or simply enjoy backyard camping.
• Get active: explore your local area on a family bike ride, plan a pit stop for a refreshing ice cream treat. Alternatively, local swimming pools offer a fantastic way to cool down and have fun on a hot day.
• Library adventures: libraries are a goldmine of free resources. Attend story time events, borrow books and audiobooks, or participate in some of the many educational programmes offered by libraries.