How to save money during the summer holidays
The summer holidays can be a very daunting time when trying to save money. With six long weeks to fill, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Fear not, the summer holidays don’t have to be a great expense and there are plenty of ways your kids can have fun whilst you still save money. Here are a few of our top tips…
Book in advance
When you do choose to do an activity, whether that be a day trip to the seaside or a visit to the local museum, be sure to book in advance where possible. Often, when booking in advance online you are able to benefit from a small discount. It also allows you to better budget for the day as you already know the cost of the tickets. Whether it be train tickets to the seaside, day passes for an adventure park, or cinema tickets, it is always best to pre-book.
Utilise free activities
As we’ve established, the summer holidays don’t have to be jam-packed with expensive activities. There are plenty of free things to do that won’t cost anything that your kids will still love. A few examples include exploring a new park, maybe one that is too far away to justify going to usually, or visiting the local library to take out new books. Many libraries also run free reading challenges over the summer to encourage kids to get reading. A quick Google will give you a great idea of all the free things going on in your local area this summer, perfect for keeping kids entertained.
Toy swap
Sadly, sometimes the weather does not allow for long afternoons in the park. When this is the case and staying home feels like the only option, a toy swap can be a fantastic free way to spend the afternoon. Arranging toy swaps with other local parents means that your kids will get to enjoy playing with different toys, without the hefty price tag of having to purchase them.
Home Comforts
It’s undeniable that staying home is typically cheaper than going out but staying home doesn’t have to be boring. A creative way to save money whilst still having fun is to create ‘out-of-home’ experiences at home. Some of our favourite ideas for this include: creating an at-home cinema experience by picking the kid’s favourite film and buying some popcorn, or an in-home dining experience where you teach the kids to cook a meal and then get dressed up nicely to eat together. These types of activities also lend really well to getting crafty, why not spend the afternoon making cinema tickets for your movie experience and a menu for your dinner in?
Whatever your budget, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the summer holidays!
*This is a collaborative post.
