With the six-week summer holidays just around the corner, many parents face the challenge of juggling childcare, days out and groceries – all while trying to keep costs under control.
But, between keeping the kids entertained, and rising living costs, new research from MoneySuperMarket* has revealed the average UK family is predicted to spend £3846 over the big break.
UK families set to spend almost £3846 during summer holidays
MoneySuperMarket surveyed 1,000 nationwide UK adults to uncover the projected weekly spend of a typical one-week half term holiday, across everything from days out, to groceries and travel costs.
Where the money goes
Weekly spend
Spend over the six-week holidays
Travel (fuel, trains, parking)
£72
£432
Activities / days out
£80
£480
Childcare /babysitting (including school holiday clubs or additional cover due to school closures)
£52
£312
Accommodation (overnight stays, short breaks or visiting family)
£92
£552
Entertainment (cinema, bowling, mini-golf, events)
£62
£372
Groceries
£95
£570
Eating out (cafes, restaurants)
£65
£390
Treats
£50
£300
Shopping (clothes, toys)
£73
£438
Total spend
£641
£3846
Whether families are jetting off abroad or staying local, travel remains a significant half-term cost, with the average Brit spending around £72 per week across parking, fuel and transport.
Keeping the kids entertained without breaking the bank is another challenge many families recognise. Brits are expected to spend around £480 on days out, £372 on entertainment such as cinema, bowling or mini-golf, and a further £390 on eating out over the course of the summer holidays.
Groceries revealed as single biggest spend for UK families
Research from MoneySuperMarket reveals that groceries are the single biggest expense for UK families, expected to set parents back around £570 over the summer break.
In response, Kara Gammell, Personal Finance Expert at MoneySuperMarket shares five simple ways families can make their money go further over the summer holidays.
Five ways to save on your supermarket shop this summer
Outsmart store layouts
“Supermarkets often place promotions at eye level, on the end of an aisle and across the online homepage to encourage sales. Knowing this can help you stay focused and avoid impulse buys you don’t need.
“Sticking to a list can also help keep you on track and prevent those last‑minute extras sneaking in.”
Shop VAT-free foods
“Certain items, like dried fruit sold for baking, are VAT free, while the same fruit marketed as a snack can carry a 20% tax. The same applies to plain nuts such as almonds, which are often VAT free in the baking aisle, therefore a small switch can make a big difference. It’s worth comparing unit prices too, as packaging can make items look better value than they really are.”
Rearrange your fridge to reduce food waste
“Most of us don’t intend to waste food or money, but it’s surprisingly easy for groceries to get pushed to the back of the fridge and forgotten.
“One really simple way to tackle that is to give your fridge a reshuffle so that the food that goes off quickest is the first thing you see. Keep fruit and veg front and centre on the shelves and move condiments and jars into the drawers – you’re much more likely to go hunting for ketchup than for cucumbers. It might feel like a small tweak, but making it easier to use up what you’ve already got at home can help you cut food waste and keep more of your grocery budget in your pocket.”
Track your spending as you shop
“Some supermarkets offer handheld scanners that allow you to track your spending as you shop. It’s a simple way to stay on budget and avoid checkout shocks.
“Using a free budgeting app to include top-up shops at convenience stores can help you keep track of spending and identify where you may need to cut back. Many banking apps also offer spending categorisation features, which can make it easier to see where your food budget is going.”
Shop backwards
“Food waste is a hidden cost that mounts up. Check what you already have in your cupboards and instead of just making a shopping list, make a don’t buy list – and write down items that you buy out of habit, but have more than you need. “You can even use AI or recipe apps to turn those ingredients into meals. Not only does this cut waste, it could help shrink your weekly shop and save money.”