Image by srpatterson via FlickrThe summer holidays are always a tough time for parents. The children are off school for 6 weeks. It is difficult to find things to do to keep them amused. Many activities available cost money. Even small costs for each activity mount up over the vacation. A single activity may appear reasonably priced. Entrance fees for a whole family plus drinks and snacks during the day can lead to a fairly expensive day out.
It is therefore important to plan funding for activities during the summer holidays well in advance. There are many savings accounts on the market offering excellent rates. Some require a minimum deposit of just £1. Some also offer unlimited deposits and unlimited withdrawals. Read more about the different types of saving accounts available.
The first problem encountered by all families is childcare over the long school holidays. In this modern age, it is usual for both parents to work. Many employers offer flexible shifts for mothers around the school day. During the holidays the child is not at school which makes it difficult for both parents. Arrangements need to be made in advance.
There are many play schemes all over the country. These tend to be the equivalent of school hours and are just a couple of pound a day. The children will be interacting with others and have lots of different activities to take part in from running around to painting and even making cakes. Day trips are often organized at reasonable prices.
Most families have at least one holiday a year. Days out at local farms, zoos and theme parks are very enjoyable. Some places offer family discounts to make their attraction more affordable. Many newspapers offer coupons or special offers which will assist. It is not practical to visit places every day of the holiday. It is very important to put some money aside for great days out.
Taking children swimming or visiting the local sports centre can be enjoyable for the whole family and relatively inexpensive. They have the added bonus of engaging the children in physical activity. This could also wear children out, making them less demanding for the rest of the day.
There are family activities which can take place at no expense. This may be visiting the local park, taking a bike ride or going on country walks. This allows for great family bonding time. Take a picnic to make a more enjoyable experience.
If the weather is not so good, children may enjoy being creative at home. Have plenty of pens, paper and paint in the home so that they may experiment. Start saving items such as shiny sweet wrappers, bottle tops and pipe cleaners so that collages may be created. Washing up liquid bottles can make fantastic space shuttles. Children are very imaginative and will enjoy playing shops with empty cans and bottles.
The school holidays take a lot of consideration to keep the little ones entertained. Have some money put aside for a holiday and great days out. Combine this with inexpensive family activities such as swimming and walks in the park. Start saving bottles, cans and jars now for activities to do at home. The summer holidays can be very enjoyable for the whole family if they are properly thought through. Money does not need to be spent every day.
This article was written by Sam. Sam is a financial writer based in the UK and currently works for moneysupermarket.com .
Visit Sam's twitter here.
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