School holidays spending: Entertaining the kids costs 2,000 during the summer break

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Freedom: Three-quarters of children say they are bored over the summer holidays Cash-strapped parents often choose to save money by sacrificing a summer holiday and promising the children lots of fun activities locally instead.But entertaining kids during the long six-week break can often cost more than a foreign sojourn, with one survey claiming parents spend an average of 2,274 on family days out.According to a poll, families in Britain are going to extreme lengths to ensure their children enjoy their school summer holidays, with some resorting to selling belongings or taking on extra work to make ends meet.And many go a staggering 600 into the red in order to pay for expensive activities.
Parents are expected to spend around 379 a week on entertaining their children, with petrol costs, attraction entrance fees and eating out topping the expenses list.
And while families were not asked what their exact budget for the holidays would be, one in five said the school holidays would leave them in debt, with the average overspend being around 558.

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While other households said they saved up in advance for the break, others admitted to using other methods to ensure they had the necessary funds.A third of parents admitted they were planning to sell belongings on eBay to fund the break while a fifth would be working overtime.

SUMMER HOLIDAY SPENDING BREAKDOWN

Petrol 306

Entrance to attractions 246

Eating out 234

Shopping outings 204

Lessons (swimming, horse-riding, dancing ! etc) 186

Holiday clubs/activity schemes 174

Sporting activities 162

Souvenirs 162

Extra pocket money 162

Treats (sweets, ice-creams etc) 156

Toys and games 150

Public transport 132

TOTAL 2,274

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Another 20 per cent would be putting the additional costs on their credit cards, while one in ten took on a second job to meet the costs.Others said they would rely on help from grandparents with the cost of the holidays, while a worrying 20 per cent of parents said they would simply splash out expensive days out and other treats knowing it was likely to leave them in the red.
However despite the splurge, the survey also discovered that 77 per cent of schoolchildren were bored during the long break, with 12 per cent complaining of boredom on a daily basis.A fifth of those questioned admitted getting into trouble with their neighbours twice a week or more during the holidays while a quarter will fight with siblings on an almost daily basis.Costs included an average of 306 on petrol for day trips, 234 on meals, 174 on summer clubs and 162 on souvenirs.Families with children under 12 will take an average of five day trips during the holidays, travelling 210 miles across the country.

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The most popular activities include trips to the seaside, garden barbecues with family and friends, nature walks, trips to the park and visits to zoos.

Sunny days: Families overspend by an average of 558 during the summer break Independent social psychologist Geoff Beattie says the emotional and financial pull of the six-week summer bre! ak can c ause families unnecessary stress.
He said, 'It is understandable that many parents want to plan big days out over the summer - after all, work pressures can often stand in the way of families spending quality time together.
But it's important for parents to think carefully about what they can afford.
'The current financial climate means that we all have to take stock of many aspects of our lives. Splashing out on extravagant days out does not guarantee happiness.
The secret to a really happy day together can be a lot simpler and a lot cheaper,' Beattie added. 'It's those small adventures involving the whole family that you and your kids never forget.'The research, carried out by satellite TV service Freesat, questioned 2,000 parents with children under 12.