Parents spend £349 per child on summer clubs as holiday costs continue to rise

New research reveals the growing cost of keeping children entertained over the six-week summer break

group of boys in green hi vis vests huddled together at a summer sports camp

Published: June 10, 2026 at 10:45 AM

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The cost of the summer holidays is becoming a growing concern for families, with new research suggesting parents are spending hundreds of pounds per child to keep children entertained during the six-week break.

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According to a survey of 2,000 UK parents commissioned by digital bank Monzo, families spend an average of £349 per child each year on summer camps and activity clubs. For almost a quarter of parents, that figure rises to £500 or more.

The findings also highlight the pressure many mums and dads feel during the school holidays, with more than two-thirds saying they feel expected to spend money on activities to keep their children occupied.

Parents feeling the pressure to spend during the summer holidays

For many families, balancing childcare, work commitments and keeping children entertained can make the summer break one of the most expensive times of the year.

Monzo's research found that 67% of parents feel pressured to spend money to keep their children entertained during the holidays, while 61% said managing the cost of children's activities can feel challenging.

The majority of parents also believe costs are heading in the wrong direction. Nearly three-quarters (74%) said they have noticed the price of children's summer activities increase in recent years.

Despite these concerns, many parents still feel the experiences are worthwhile, with families continuing to prioritise opportunities for children to socialise, learn new skills and stay active over the summer.

Where are parents spending the most on summer camps?

Many different kids, boys and girls running in the park on sunny summer day in casual clothes

The research found significant regional differences in what families spend on camps and activity clubs.

Greater London topped the list, with parents spending an average of £412 per child, nearly £100 more than parents in Wales.

The average spend per child across the UK regions was:

The findings suggest that where families live can have a significant impact on the cost of keeping children busy during the holidays.

How families are managing rising summer costs

With activity prices increasing and household budgets remaining stretched, many parents are taking extra steps to prepare financially.

Eight in ten parents surveyed said they are making additional budgeting efforts to help cover summer spending.

Chris Mucklow-Norell, Head of Brand Marketing at Monzo, said: "The summer holidays should be an exciting time, but for many families they now come with real financial pressure as activity costs add up quickly, especially for parents with more than one child.

"Affordability is now shaping summer plans more than ever, so understanding the costs and budgeting effectively can help parents make more informed choices that work for them (and their kids). It could also be an opportunity to introduce children to good money habits by opening a bank account for them."

Some of the budgeting approaches highlighted by Monzo include:

Summer camps also offer a screen-time break

The research suggests cost is not the only factor influencing parents' choices.

A third (33%) of parents said they actively choose summer activities that help reduce their child's screen time. Meanwhile, 15% said a screen-free environment is the most important factor when selecting a summer camp or activity club.

For families looking ahead to the long summer break, the findings highlight a familiar balancing act: finding activities children will enjoy while managing the growing impact on household budgets.

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How the research was conducted

The research was commissioned by Monzo and conducted by Censuswide among 2,000 UK parents aged 18 and over. Data was collected between 30 March and 8 April 2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC).

Authors

journalist and two young kids sat on a bench in France for a review of Eurocamp

Hollie BondSenior Digital Journalist

Hollie is Senior Digital Journalist at MadeForMums. She writes articles about pregnancy, parenting, child health and getting pregnant. She has written for a number of national lifestyle magazines and websites over the past 12 years including Family History Monthly, You and Your Wedding and Muddy Stilettos. She has two children aged 5 and 8 and hasn't slept since 2017!

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