Cost of holidays 'worry parents'
Updated on 17 July 2010
More than a quarter of parents are worried about the amount of money they will have to spend keeping their children amused during the summer holiday, a survey found.
Around 21% of parents feel stressed at the thought of having to amuse their children during the school holidays, while 27% are concerned about the cost, according to American Express.
Four out of 10 parents are planning to take a holiday in the UK this year, at an average cost of £893, and 28% will take a trip abroad, setting them back by around £1,295.
On top of this, parents expect to make an average of four day trips to theme parks, cinemas and the seaside, at an average cost of £60 per excursion, while children can also expect to enjoy a further three days out with other family members, godparents and friends.
Children are most likely to be taken to the seaside or the fair, with 47% of parents planning to take their children to these places, followed by visits to theme parks at 40%, going swimming at 27% and shopping trips and visits to the cinema at 23% each.
Around 35% of parents save money throughout the year to cover the cost of the summer holidays, while 35% pay for it out of their July and August salaries and 14% use a credit card.
One in five parents take advantage of 'two for the price of one' offers, and 52% use loyalty point schemes and credit card rewards to cover some of the cost.
Parents will also be falling back on free forms of entertainment, with more than half inviting their children's friends around to play, or letting their children go to friends' houses, while a similar proportion will let them play computer games or watch DVDs.
More than a third of parents will take their children out on family picnics and 45% will take them for walks and bike rides.
Elisabeth Leblanc, head of partnerships at American Express, said: "With up to two months of holidays ahead, many parents are understandably feeling the pressure of costs attached to the school holidays. By budgeting throughout the year and clever use of reward and loyalty schemes, cost conscious parents can ensure they have lots of fun activities and days out planned to keep their families occupied over the summer."
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