Is £100 too much for a day out with kids?

[Worriedandscurd]

So this is a silly question but I recently got a new job. I was a single parent and struggled for many years. This new job pays a lot more, something I could never of dreamed of and things are seemingly falling into place.

I took my two kids out today, we went to an activity had food in a nice restaurant and spent £100 including travel. At the time I just thought how nice it would be to finally treat us. But now I feel anxious, I have the money spare. It just seems so so excessive. Is this excessive? I could of saved a bit here and there but they had such a lovely day. Honestly this isn’t me bragging. I had some months before where I genuinely didn’t know whether to heat my house or feed my kids. I just need to know from people who do this regularly if it’s too much?

If you can afford it and enjoyed it what's the problem?

I went to a farm park with 2 kids last summer and managed to spend £100. It's easy done by the time you've got there, bought tickets, bought lunch/ice creams, paid extras for rides and bought a memento from the gift shop for each child!

It depends on the activity really. Some are more expensive than others. If you think you had value for money and everyone had fun then don't worry about it!

I think if you can afford it then it’s nice to be able to treat your kids to a special day out. I would say don’t do it all the time, as the kids might expect it and forget the pleasure of just going to a different park with a picnic.

£100 to some would be nothing. A lot to others. If you can afford it had a great day just focus on that.

I took my ds to Lego land hotel once i was working- it was so worth it.

I.would rather spend money on activities than stuff they grow out of.

I don’t really understand the voting but I could easily see £100 being spent on a day out.

Only if you cant afford it. Trains alone are pricey.

It wouldn't be something I could afford every weekend, but it isnt an unreasonable amount amount spend on something like the zoo and lunch. You should enjoy being able to do it now

A day out to the local park, yes.

Museum, Fairgrounds etc then no I dont think it is.

I spent that today.
Not been anywhere for over a year. Def can't afford it right now...
The dc were little shits and wish I hadn't bothered tbh.

I am just sitting here cursing how much 2 hours for 2 kids in the local ninja warrior place, plus lunch, is going to cost me. Like you I can afford it but it just seems a lot for one day, especially when we haven’t done the things for an awful long time, I’ve forgotten how much everything actually costs. I guess they are just once a term treats and so in the long run it’s not that much money spent. Hope you enjoyed your day.

I think it's pretty standard to spend that amount on a family day out. It is a lot of money though and I can see why it makes you feel anxious if you've not been used to having that kind of money to spare.

We went to the cinema and for a meal to dc favourite restaurant last weekend, we spent around £90. It was a treat, we haven't been out much over the last year. We couldn't afford to do that kind of thing every weekend, more like every couple of months of so.

Likewise a trip to to zoo safari near us would be £70 for family ticket, we'd take a picnic but maybe spend another £20-£30 on rides or ice creams.

We try to use things like discount vouchers and tesco rewards to keep costs down but still do fun things.

It’s not something we plan to do. Nor is it something we really we did before often. We went to the aquarium, and we did buy something from the gift shop. I can afford it now, I suppose I’m still in my survival mindset. Like that day out could of fed us for 3 weeks. But we did have a lovely time

Relax and don't overthink it - you've said yourself that you all had a lovely time, and you won't be doing it every weekend. Sometimes it's hard to get out of the mindset of only spending money like that on things rather than experiences.

Ahh thank you everyone. It is very true we haven’t done anything for absolutely ages. Like everyone else we are done with the park.

£100 is my days out budget for the month. So we could do it, but wouldn’t be able to do anything else that month.

Today we did soft play for 2 hours, after buying lunch and drinks too it came to £35.

Anything like this depends massively on your income .

If you earn 100k spending £100 on a family day probably isn't going to put a hole in your finances. If you earn £20k it might not be something you can afford regularly, depending on your other costs.

Only you know your income and other financial commitments.

It's great to be careful with money but this sounds like a brilliant way to spend £100. You spent time together, having fun and trying something new.

It's not particularly extravagant. It's not done all the time. FWIW I spent £40 today on soft play for 3 and cold kids food boxes in there, and two adults breakfast rolls with two horrible coffees. Rubbish and unmemorable in comparison to your fab day.. it's nice to enjoy yourself and treat the kids well done for working hard and providing this for your family

If you feel anxious would a budget help? I use YNAB and it helps. It's not excessive if it doesn't get you into debt and brings you happiness. We spent about £90 today I think. £75 on a nice pub lunch, £15 on soft play incl. coffees etc. I do sometimes think it's a lot but my husband thinks my sense of what things cost is stuck a decade ago. He has a point, I still think a tin of kidney beans should be 9p 🤣

I can afford it. It’s not going to cause any financial issues, it’s just I’m so used to being poor

This kind of splurge isn’t normal, so I’m just asking is this excessive? Obviously depends on people’s wages etc

Stuff is just expensive! I took one of my kids shopping in town yesterday and I bought us both an orange juice (small) and ice cream (single scoop) from a cafe - total, 12 quid!!! And that wasn't even a day out, just a pit stop.

We spent £50 today on a day out. Including food and parking. That was just one child though. Probably would have been close to £100 with two. We don't do it often. Don't make a habit of it and can rarely afford it. Normally we stick to cheaper or free days out but I don't begrudge it once in a while. DC loved it and we all had a great day and that's what matters.

Don't overthink it. It was a rare occasion, everyone had a brilliant day out and you were able to afford it. Win all around.

I’ve just spent £140 on ticket to Thorpe park for this week and that’s before I factor in food and fuel. Don’t worry about it if you can afford it.

It’s only excessive if you can’t afford it.
It’s quite a lot for 1 day I suppose but with food as well it’s fairly average for a day out at a paid for attraction. You could very easily spend that on just the entrance fees to lots of places.
It’s absolutely fine for a treat day out!

I also think if you can afford it, it's nice to do every now and again. You work hard and long hours for your money, occasionally it's nice to blow some of it on just having fun if you can, when the majority of the time its bills, essentials and boring stuff!