Parents spend big on activities during summer school holidays

AUSSIE parents can expect to spend close to $400 entertaining their offspring over the summer break — but most children still get bored during school holidays, new research shows.

Chanel Zagon

2 min read

December 25, 2017 - 8:06PM

Tanya Smith will keep Jacob, 7, and Nathan, 6, busy with free activities during school holidays. Picture: Sarah Matray

School Holidays

Don't miss out on the headlines from School Holidays. Followed categories will be added to My News.

AUSSIE parents can expect to spend close to $400 entertaining their kids and their kids’ friends over the summer break, new research by Groupon Australia shows.

Mums and dads are estimated to make nearly 100 suggestions over the holidays to keep their kids busy, as 79 per cent admit their children get bored during the six-week break.

Parents are expected to hear “I’m bored” at least twice a day. Boredom strikes kids within the first two weeks for almost three quarters of mums and dads (71 per cent) and within a week for close to half (43 per cent).

HOW TO KEEP THE KIDS BUSY OVER SUMMER

Tanya Smith, 36, mother of Jacob, 7, and Nathan, 6, expects to spend on average $400 to $500 over the summer holidays on activities for her children.

She said rock climbing, trampolining and the zoo were on the agenda. But free activities including trips to the park, beach and into town will be at the top of the list.

“Holidays can be really full-on and expensive … free activities are a great option,” she said. “Whether it’s going to the park or bike riding, we do something every day.

“My kids do say they’re bored all the time, and I tell them it’s OK to be bored — read a book, draw and use your imagination!”

IN-TENTS CHRISTMAS AS CAMPERS HIT THE ROAD

BEST 23 PLAYGROUNDS IN MELBOURNE

Aussie parents can expect to spend around $300 entertaining their children over the summer break, research says. Picture: Sarah Matray

Research shows parents across the country will spend an extra $540 million on household expenses, including increased food and energy costs, over the school holidays.

One in five parents (21 per cent) are expected to spend more on entertaining this year than in previous years, while almost half (49 per cent) admit they feel guilty spending money on themselves instead of putting it towards their kids’ activities.

Many are also expected to suffer from cases of “FOKMO” — fear of kids missing out, with 41 per cent of parents limiting the amount of leisure purchases they make until the school year resumes in 2018.

GLAMPING PLACES YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF

Groupon Australia spokesman Steve Traplin recommended planning and organising activities in advance.

“A lot of parents feel guilty if they don’t spend on their kids and a huge marketplace grows because of that demand,” he said.

“It is hard, but try to balance your spending, while attempting a structured approach.”

5 FREE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS TO DO THIS SUMMER

1. Community bank adventure playground

60-80 High St Wallan, melbourneplaygrounds.com.au

2. Science and craft school holiday programs

15 — 25 January 2018, Melbourne libraries, melbourne.vic.gov.au/community/libraries/whats-on/school-holiday-program/

3. Discover sailing

Locations around Victoria, discoversailing.org.au

4. ACMI Screen Worlds exhibition