It?s that time of year again ? school is out. But at what price? While the kids are thrilled at the chance to ditch the schoolbooks and discard the uniform, many parents have been enduring sleepless nights worried about the cost of funding the long summer holidays.
According to a new survey, a quarter of parents cannot afford activities to occupy their children throughout the six-week break.
The UK Parents and Cost of Living report by VoucherCodes.co.uk also says two-in-five parents have had sleepless nights worrying about funding activities and days out for their offspring to stave off any holiday boredom.
While a quarter also revealed their children expect lots of fun activities without realising the price tag.
- Share your tips for family fun in the summer on a budget in the comments below
Duncan Jennings, co-founder of VoucherCodes.co.uk, said: ?The summer holidays are fantastic for parents to spend quality time with their children; however, fun excursions or just eating out all cost money and parents pockets are not getting any deeper.
?They are stuck in a situation where they are already struggling to manage their outgoings and worry as they watch the price of arranging fun activities with their kids stacking up.
?However, there are ways to dial back on the expense and still guarantee your kids have a memorable and eventful summer.?
He said using online vouchers which offer discounts to fund activities was one way of getting out and about without breaking the bank balance.
?The fifth of parents who have not yet switched on to online voucher codes are missing out on an amazing opportunity to slash prices without sacrificing quality ? and this is not a measure that will only help in summer, but can benefit long term with balancing their budgets,? said Mr Jennings.
As well as online voucher codes, parents across the West Midlands say there are many ways of entertaining children throughout the holidays ? without it having to cost the earth.
Some are enrolling their youngsters in reasonably priced football and tennis camps.
IT manager Jason Aspain lives in Telford with his wife Samantha and two sons Reece, five, and Ellis, one.
He has enrolled tennis-mad Reece in a First Point mini tennis red summer camp at the tennis centre in Oakengates, which costs ?35 for the week and includes two individual coaching lessons.
?For three weeks, Reece will be doing that, then my wife and I plan to take alternate weeks off with him to do other things,? says Mr Aspain.
Others plan on enjoying the region?s natural surroundings for days out, visiting the local park with a football and a picnic or simply getting together with other families and letting the kids entertain each other.
Maria Bagnall, who lives in Telford, is mum to two boys Oliver, four, and Jake, two.
She said: ?We are really lucky to live in Shropshire as there is so much do for families looking to save cash when entertaining a family of youngsters.
?For a start there?s all the fabulous natural sites such as Cardingmill Valley where the entire day can be spent pond dipping, exploring and looking for frogs and freshwater shrimps in the stream, climbing the hills, and all for the cost of an ice cream.
?Other wonderful spots include Telford Town park which is spot on for teaching youngsters how to ride their bikes as is Dale End Park in Ironbridge. Try the Wrekin or Wenlock Edge for mini beast hunts, bark rubbings and even deer spotting if you are lucky.?
Saving money at the bigger attractions is also possible if you do your homework. Drayton Manor is one of the best value family days out. With pre-booking discounts and special offers throughout the year, a family of four can visit Thomas Land, a dinosaur park, zoo and various parks. West Midlands Safari Park also offers a free return visit in the admission price.
Annual passes are another way to save money on your favourite attractions.
The National Trust?s annual membership comes in at around ?72 for a family of four but over the course of the year it?s great value as places like Attingham run dedicated children?s clubs with nature hunts, pond dipping, trails and quizzes throughout the summer holidays.
The Ironbridge family passport is another good option, with a family pass costing ?48 for one adult and two children and offering unlimited access to 10 museums including Enginuity and Blists Hill.
Don?t forget Cosford Museum, an amazing facility with four hangars packed to the rafters with jets, helicopters, tanks and wartime vehicles ? best of all it?s completely free.
Mrs Bagnall added: ?The best advice for entertaining children and saving money is to be organised. A packed lunch will save a fortune and planning ahead to co-ordinate with other children will beat the boredom factor all summer long.?
Leave your suggestions for fun in the Shropshire sun in the comments section below:
Source: http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2013/07/19/share-your-top-tips-for-summer-family-fun-on-a-budget/
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