Keep credit crunch out of entertaining the kids

25/07/08

With families across the country tightening their belts this summer, the cost of entertaining the kids over the school holidays can be a financial headache for many.

When kids aren’t in school, full time childcare can be an added cost. Yorkshire Bank research has found that full time nursery places top almost £170 in the UK while weekly nanny costs total on average £540.

The good news is there are plenty of low cost options available to parents, such as going to the park of taking the family for a swim. In the UK the average cost of a swim for a family of four is £9.

If you fancy a bit of culture, or even an adrenaline packed day at an adventure theme park – it also need not break the bank. Yorkshire Bank’s research has found that the average cost of entry to the UK’s major theme parks is just £62 for a family of four – which pays for a whole day of fun-filled entertainment.

However, if its culture you’re after, the alternative can be even cheaper. From stately homes to magnificent gardens, the National Trust’s heritage sites combine a history lesson with a fun and budget friendly day out. Yorkshire Bank are sponsors of National Trust's Outdoor programme. With more than 200 National Trust gardens across the UK – there’s bound to be one for your family to explore nearby.

Gary Lumby, Head of Retail for Yorkshire Bank, said: “The summer holidays are a long break and most children have more time on their hands than they know what to do with. Given today’s cost conscious climate, parents are under even more pressure to find them budget friendly things to do. However, there are still many great days out for the family in the UK, at little or no cost. Thinking ahead and planning activities that suit your family’s budget can be an easy way of saving some precious pounds.”

Yorkshire Bank’s top ten tips for a budget-friendly summer with the kids are:

1. Get a group together, the bigger the group the cheaper the day out – allowing you to share the cost of travel, food and entry fees
2. Check with your local authority to see if they are running free kids’ clubs or activity groups in your area
3. Save money on fuel by planning days out closer to home or consider dusting down the bikes and hitting local cycle paths
4. Take a picnic with you on days out to save having to buy them from expensive outlets
5. On sunnier days head to the beach - a full day’s entertainment is relatively cheap - don’t forget the sun cream!
6. Take in the best of the British countryside – hill walking, cycling, sailing or camping - there’s something for everyone.
7. Organise sporting tournaments emulating the current sporting calendar. During the Olympics get the kids to emulate their track and field heroes and as the football season starts, set up some goals for a penalty shoot-out!
8. Think of fun and creative things to do at home on days when the sun doesn’t shine - baking cakes, painting, board games, treasure hunts, drawing and creating holiday scrap books can all help keep boredom at bay.
9. Check local papers, community magazines and online communities for events, concerts and carnivals that are touring - providing a special day of entertainment without the hassle, stress or cost of travelling long distances
10. Keep an eye out for discount vouchers on the internet and local papers. There are loads of offers available and these can mean ‘bigger’ days out become more affordable

For more media information contact:

Mandy Lowe – 0141 333 9585 / 07766 465 670 / mandy.lowe@bigpartnership.co.uk

Matthew Pittam – 0141 333 9585 / 07763 909 599 / matthew.pittam@bigpartnership.co.uk

Carol Young – 0141 242 4358 / 07764 975 460 / carol.young@eu.nabgroup.com