School holidays are so expensive

[singingismypassion]

I feel I have literally shredded money so far these holidays. Children seem to have had a nice time but we haven't even done that much...
Sports camp for 3 days for one child
Riding for 4 days for one child
Two day trips to NT houses

[Coulddowithanap]

It's your choice to spend that money though. We have been having plenty of fun going to the park, walking the dog and visiting family. It's only as expensive as you make it.

[dirtystinkyrats]

I've spent £30 the entire week including a day at a holiday camp for two children. You've just chosen expensive activities.

[Hollowvictory]

Riding is very expensive. NT membership usually works out better value than paying for individual entry.

[Bunnybigears]

But did they news to do sports camp and riding for childcare purposes or were they optional extras?

[ParisWilton]

Are the sports/riding camps because you needed childcare? There's presumably something cheaper nearby?

NT is only expensive if you buy on the day. Membership is good value and then there's nothing else to pay for if you take lunch.

[grasspigeons]

I find it can be expensive. We do the free stuff like going for a walk and popping in on friends but we also have things like the heatings been on today, or a full tank of petrol to visit family or buying some bits in to bake a cake. They are a choice and only little extras but it adds up. I think its just we concentrate all the fun spend into a short space of time rather than spreading it evenly like our other costs.

[Barbie222]

I'm sure you could do it cheaper if you chose free activities. If it's childcare you need, there are cheaper options than you've described. You seem to be in a bit of a spending bubble - does everyone you know do this?- would be unusual round here.

[BloodsportForAll]

I've spent a grand total of........

Nothing. On the kids, that is. But this Sunday I will be attending a gig with my eldest.

It doesn't have to cost a bomb unless you choose to do expensive things. I was Ted to go to Lego land with half price vouchers but we can't afford to so we won't. If we went, we wouldn't be able to afford proper food for the rest of the holiday. Beans are not appealing.

[formerbabe]

We have been having plenty of fun going to the park, walking the dog and visiting family

Good for you. I don't have lots of family to visit or a dog.

We've been to the park but when the weather's drab, its pretty quiet there.

I took them swimming and we went to the fun fair...£50 for those things combined

We are off to a museum they want to go to...the thing they want to see will cost £20.

It is very expensive.

[PlainSpeakingStraightTalking]

Everything you've done OP is not compulsory. You chose those activities, you chose to spend that money.

[Endlessfeasts]

Well it isn’t expensive
You can feed the children on bones and dust.
Take your teenagers to feed the ducks.
go ‘geocaching’

[YourSarcasmIsDripping]

Depends if the activities are because you need childcare or if it's by choice. If it's choice you can look at cheaper or free alternatives.

Monday we went to the museum and have been out all day(made it back at 6pm).
Tuesday we had a chilled day because we lwere tired.
Wednesday we made a cake,smoothies,played in the garden etc.
Thursday we had someone over from 10 am to 5 pm so she .
Today we met up with her classmates and went to the park for a few hours then she scooted the longway home.

We only spend money in trains/buses and a 50p badge at the museum.

We're going to a fair as a family this weekend and I'm sure it'll be expensive,but we want to go and it's our choice.

[formerbabe]

@Endlessfeasts

[Barbie222]

@formerbabe I'm not seeing the issue? Either you have the money, or you don't. You either see the £20 artefact or stay at home / do free things. Look at the money you have for the week, make your mind up and own your choice - anything else just teaches children irresponsibility and how to have "buyer's remorse".

[Ivegotbills]

They get more expensive as the kids get older. At 14 and 12 an afternoon in the park no longer cuts it.

[BarbarianMum]

We borrowed a friend's dog for a week (she was going on holiday) which provided a lot of free entertainment. And ds2 has had some riding lessons that he was given for his birthday. 1 trip to the cinema. Played on playstation and board games. Other than that it's been expensive because they're growing like weeds and need new clothes.

Really though, I think it is possible to find a happy medium bw free fun and haemorrhageing money.

[Nodancingshoes]

It is expensive when your kids are slightly older and not happy with the park anymore. My eldest (12) will go off with friends but its hard to entertain my 8 year old without spending money. I feel your pain

[Passthecake30]

I have to work so my money has been spent on childcare. Weekends will be spendy, overcompensating for the childcare in the week where they have been "bored".

[avocadochocolate]

School holidays can be expensive. When my DCs were younger and I needed to entertain them on a budget, I used to take them to cheap or free activities at the library, swimming pool or local ecology centre or simply invite their friends over. Now they are teenagers and we might do one 'big' day out but they mostly organise their own fun.

[formerbabe]

Staying at home and free things only have so much appeal, especially when your dc are slightly older. I can afford it but it still cuts into my budget. I want my dc to do different activities and visit places. A trip to a fun fair and a museum over a two week period are hardly excessive or ott.

[Hollowvictory]

£280 for holiday club for 2 kids, 4 days. So far.

[greenpop21]

You don't need to do any of that. Chn need to learn to entertain themselves and I personally think they need to experience boredom/ tim to think/ponder.

[ineedaholidaynow]

I think the most money I have spent so far is on wine when catching up with my teacher friends

DS(14) is quite happy pottering around and playing on PS4. We do have family staying next week so will spend more money going out with them

[greenpop21]

Mine are teens now but when they were younger we would bake, visit the park, library, have friends over/sleepovers, do craft things and have days of just tidying bedrooms and donating stuff to charity shops etc.

[BarefootHippieChick]

Well, I've spent a grand total of zero this week.

But then that might be because my kids have only broken up today. ...