Are we there yet? Parents ‘snap up items to keep children occupied on journeys'
Some (98%) of parents surveyed said they had bought items in the past year to help make travelling with their children easier, according to buy now, pay later provider Clearpay.
The research was released as many families prepare for summer holiday getaways.
It calculated that some parents could find themselves spending as much as £336 per child, based on the average amounts parents said they had spent on popular items such as children's luggage, headphones, tablets and gaming devices, travel-friendly toys, books, snack packs, drinks bottles, travel pillows and cushions, chargers and tech accessories, downloadable content, activity books and colouring supplies, card games and child-friendly maps.
Clearpay said its own data points to a rise in purchases of items that could keep children entertained while travelling, with figures covering March 17 to June 17 showing a quarterly spending increase on items such as children's ride-on suitcases, character headphones, travel snack boxes and water pen books.
Nearly a third (32%) of parents surveyed said their children actively ask for travel items and more than one in seven (15%) plan to make social media content featuring the items they have bought.
More than three-quarters (79%) of parents said buying children's travel items had had an impact on their regular household spending.
Rich Bayer, UK country manager at Clearpay, said: 'Anyone who's travelled with children knows the value of keeping them happy en route – and parents are investing in everything from noise-cancelling headphones to snack packs to make the journey smoother.
'These items have become essential purchases for many parents before they head off on well-earned breaks. Holiday spending can add up, so setting a budget for the different elements of a trip can help ensure that you're spending what you can afford.'
Clearpay commissioned OnePoll to survey 2,000 parents with a child aged under 18 across the UK in June.
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Insider tip: You can fit up to six people in a cab, but most tours are based on a per person rate, so it's not that much more to go as a twosome. Return to index Best for food and drink experiences Old Bushmills Distillery Go behind the scenes at a historic distillery The oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, this riverside spot is home to one of the best-known whiskeys on the planet. On a guided tour, you'll learn about how the whiskey is made, but the best part comes in the cosy old tasting room, where you'll get a taste of three of their single malts – book the premium tour for a taste of the good stuff. Insider tip: Head for a drink (or stay the night) at the nearby, but not affiliated, Bushmills Inn – the bar is lit by gas lamps and, unsurprisingly, there's a great selection of Bushmills on offer. St George's Market Wander around a historic marketplace This redbrick building is a cornerstone of Belfast life, and one of the last Victorian covered markets left in the country. There are stalls selling classic local fare like 'fifteens' (dense, sweet tray bakes made with 15 of each ingredient) and baps filled with all the components of an Ulster Fry. You can pick up fantastic regional produce, too. Insider tip: You can take a guided tour of the market every weekend to learn more about the history of the building, including its use as a morgue during the Second World War. Bear in mind the market is only open Friday to Sunday. Taste and Tour Delve into the Belfast food (and drink) scene Food tours can be hit or miss, but when you get good guides then you're onto a winner. The folks leading these Belfast and Holywood tours know every inch of the city and its food scene, with general tours leading you to all the best places to eat, with a few pubs thrown in the mix too. Insider tip: If you're more about drink than food, they also run specialised gin, craft beer and whiskey tours (not all at once), where you'll sample the best Irish artisanal tipples in different bars. Return to index How we choose Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations. About our expert Nicola Brady I'm originally from Sussex, and I went on holiday to Ireland 16 years ago and never came back. While I'm now based in Dublin, I spent a decade living on the Northern Irish border and still visit regularly.
