With the Easter holidays looming, many families are bracing for the financial strain of keeping children entertained for two weeks. However, finance experts say a strategic approach can help parents avoid overspending while still enjoying quality time together.
Jackie Spencer, head of money and pensions policy at the Money and Pensions Service, acknowledges the pressure: “Half-term can put real pressure on families’ budgets – there’s often an expectation on parents to keep up with the Joneses and splash out on expensive day trips and other activities. This can add up and make the school holidays incredibly stressful.” She reassures that “while all costs can’t be avoided, there are ways you can enjoy the time as a family without breaking the bank.”
Vix Leyton, a consumer finance expert at thinkmoney, echoes this: “Half-term is a real pressure point for family budgets – suddenly you’re feeding everyone more, trying to keep kids entertained, and the days start filling up with activities that chip away at your budget.” She advises planning and smart swaps to keep costs down.
Key tips include setting a budget before half-term, using MoneyHelper’s free Budget Planner. Look out for ‘kids eat free’ or ‘kids eat for £1’ deals at restaurants like M&S cafés, Beefeater, Yo! Sushi, Asda, and Bella Italia. Families eligible for free school meals can check if their local council runs the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which provides meals and free activities. Food banks may also run holiday clubs; the Trussell Trust website can help locate one nearby.
For entertainment, Leyton suggests themed days such as ‘nature day’ or ‘indoor Olympics’ with scavenger hunts or home cinemas. Museums and libraries often host free exhibitions and activities. Subscribing to mailing lists for local venues like soft play centres or board game cafés can yield discount codes. Loyalty apps like Tesco Clubcard, Nectar, and Co-op Members sometimes offer half-price theme park entry or discounted cinema tickets.
Finally, buddying up with friends or family can reduce costs: one household hosts a film afternoon, another organises baking. For streaming, pool resources for a watch party. “It’s cheaper than trying to entertain every day solo, and gives everyone a break – including the grown-ups,” says Leyton.
