ING study finds Australian families spending $275m a day on school holidays entertainment

Aussie families are spending more than a billion dollars a week on school holidays activities as the cost of keeping kids entertained skyrockets.

Australian families are on a spring spending spree these school holidays, with a YouGov study finding $275m is spent on children's entertainment each day.

The same study commissioned by ING found nearly half of parents polled are anxious about the cost of care and entertainment increasing as families spend on average $110 a day for vacation care.

Cost of living has driven up the price of keeping the kids busy as ING found the average spending was $55.45 per day, but that can be slashed by pursuing free activities and the great outdoors.

Cade and Jess Bannister and their daughters Alba and Summer from Melbourne enjoying free activities in a Darwin playground these school holidays. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Victorian teachers Cade Bannister, 41, and Jess Bannister, 35, said the cost of entertaining daughters Alba, 8, and Summer, 2, had certainly become more expensive.

“Bloody oath it’s getting more expensive,” Mr Bannister said.

“At home we try to go outdoors and spend time enjoying free spaces like national parks.

“We prefer valuing experiences rather than spending.”

Like 73 per cent of Australians surveyed, the Bannisters set aside savings for the school holidays splurge.

Mr Bannister said his family actively saves money for school holidays spending. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“For example we may skip eating out in the month leading up to school holidays so we have a bit more to spend.

“And we also wait for movies to come out on Netflix rather than going to the cinema — it’s much cheaper.”

Cairns family Brock Sawtell, 49, Maryline Medard, 40, and daughter Ella Sawtell, 5, agreed with the average figure of $55.45 in holidays spending.

“The price is rising for everything,” Mr Sawtell said.

“We try to save where we can, doing things like bringing food rather than purchasing it out.

Brock Sawtell, Maryline Medard and daughter Ella Sawtell from Cairns. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“We also like to do things outdoors in Cairns like visiting waterfalls and waterparks.”

Little Ella said her favourite school holidays activity was going swimming.

ING’s head of consumer and market insight Matt Bowen said their survey showed Australian families were increasingly worried about school holidays spendings.

Matt Bowen suggested teaching kids their own saving skills by setting a budget . Picture: Supplied

Mr Bowen recommended some simple tips for families to save money.

“If you’re entertaining older kids during the school holidays, try giving them a budget that they need to stretch themselves,” he said.

“For example, if you’re allocating them $100, and they want to go to the movies at the beginning of the holidays – that’s easily $50 spent from their budget, so they’ll need to work out what they want to do to make the remaining $50 last.

“This is a great way to reduce overspending and start teaching them about the value of money.

“This may be a no-brainer, but enjoy the warmer weather and opt for activities outdoors.

“Pack a picnic lunch and head to your local beach or park for a budget-friendly day out.

“We’re lucky to live in a great country with lots of free, clean, safe and open public spaces, so take advantage of them.”

Originally published as ING study finds Australian families spending $275m a day on school holidays entertainment