Recent studies claim that parents spend nearly £ 2,500 to keep their kids entertained throughout the summer holidays. Add up days out, the annual holiday as well as ice-creams, activities and entry fees to local attractions and the number doesn’t come as a surprise. Good news is, having fun during the summer holidays doesn’t have to break the bank.
There are lots of fun activities that you can don with your kids that are completely free (think pavement chalk games in your backgarden, going to the park or summer picnics in the park), but if you think of hitting the big attractions or going out for a meal with the entire family, there are discount code websites such as VouchaCodes that will save you a pound or two.
If you’re not intending to spend more than you absolutely have took, take a minute and check out some of the things you can save money on this summer:
Themeparks
Alton Towers, Legoland or international themeparks like Disneyland Paris are a dream come true for children and teens. For parents on a budget, their extortionate entry fees are an absolute nightmare. With VouchaCodes, you can save up to 40% on a trip to Sea Life or Legoland and meet Minnie & Co for a whopping £23 off the usual ticket price.
Attractions
Thinking of taking the kids to soak of some history at the Tower of London or rubbing shoulders with the stars at Madame Tussaud’s? English Heritage Sites offer a deal of 20% off their annual membership and the world’s most famous wax figure cabinet opens its doors for you for an impressive 40% of the regular price when you buy one of their multi-attraction tickets.
Zoos & Farms
Local zoos and farms offer great discounts for families who want to breath in some country air. There’s a 2 for 1 offer at Whitehouse Farm Centre in Northumberland, 10% off London Zoo or 2 for 1 at Sea Life in Great Yarmouth for those who prefer some underwater action.
Food & Drinks
Eating out with the entire family can get expensive, all the better to have restaurants who offer fantastic deals on meals and drinks. Pizza Express has a 2 for 1 deal on dough balls and pizza (always a winner with kids), Ask gives you 25% off your food bill and at La Tasca you can save a whopping 40% – what’s not to like?
How do you save money during the summer holidays? What are your top tips for keeping the kids entertained without breaking the bank?
This is a promotional post with an image from cosmic-girl via Flickr.
We have found that buying annual passes to our favourite places as really saved us money, usually after 2-3 visits the passes make visiting free.
Some great savings to be had. I am always too lazy to look but actually it looks like it is worth the effort.
You really can save a lot when you shop around and look for deals – which means you can use what you save to have even more fun 😉
I love the voucher and deal sites and it is such a good idea to shop around and get the best deal. I can believe the £2500 too, we are lucky as we get a few days out from blogging which saves us a lot but otherwise it would be all free stuff and things that I have had a discount on.
Love your thrifty tips
Great ideas!! I need to plan some holiday days out.
How much????? £2500? Wow… that is incredible. No wonder I am always broke!!! Some top tips on this post! Thanks for sharing
Ooh some great tips here! Thanks!!
I use the voucher sites and have been collecting the Kellogg’s Adult Goes Free vouchers too to try and help us save money. We also only live about 30 miles from Skegness, so we can go and play on the beach without breaking the bank!
some great ideas here Carolin – i am trying my hardest not to spend much money over the holidays, and so far so good. i have got some deals on groupon and by visiting national trust, the park and the beach i am only spending petrol money and food for a picnic x
I’m not sure what’s the best way of searching for deals at the last minute for places you’ve already decided you are going to. Should I just search for voucher codes?
One way of keeping the costs down is taking a picnic – a lot more work involved but these are the times your kids will remember. They won’t remember going into a restaurant or cafe. And you can still buy them a treat like an icecream which won’t break the bank!