Five ways parents can get help with summer holiday costs including childcare and food if you're on Universal Credit

The Sun

12 hours ago

SUMMER holidays can end up costly for parents, especially those already struggling with the cost of living.
Parents can find themselves forking out an extra £1,000 a week over the summer break.
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If they choose to go on holiday, the average price of a getaway for a family of four is more than £3,600.
But there are some ways you can keep the costs down - especially if you're on benefits like Universal Credit.
The Sun explains what you can do...
'Kids eat free' offers
Over the summer holidays you'll find plenty of cafe and restaurant chains run 'kids eat free' offers.
These are especially common in supermarket cafes and in restaurant chains aimed at families.
For example, Tesco gives children a free meal over the holidays as long as you buy something from the adult menu.
Asda offers kids' meals for £1 but you don't need to buy anything else to get the deal.
Other chains like Pizza Express, TGI Fridays, Franco Manca and Bill's also usually offer deals over the holidays.
These tend to apply to any parents - not just those on Universal Credit or other benefits.
Free clubs
Low income families can get help from their local council through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
I've saved £15k on trips to Ibiza, Mallorca & Turkey with term time holidays - I'll never stop, fines are a tax on the working class
It can be used to sign children up to sports, music and arts clubs, and it also offers them a nutritious meal each day for free.
The help on offer varies by council but families who receive free school meals are usually eligible.
In some areas you can get holiday club places for the equivalent of at least four hours a day.
You should contact your local authority to see what's available, whether you're eligible and how to apply.
Am I entitled to Universal Credit?
According to the GOV website, if you're on a low income or need help with your living costs, then you could be entitled to Universal Credit.
To claim, you must live in the UK, be aged 18 or over (with some exceptions if you're 15 to 17), be under State Pension age, and have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments.
Other circumstances are if you are out of work, or unable to work, for example because of a health condition.
Food and energy bills vouchers
Another scheme run by local councils is the Household Support Fund (HSF).
Councils across England have been allocated a share of a huge £742million pot that can be spent on helping struggling residents.
The latest round of funding is running until March 2026.
Local authorities can choose how to spend their share of the fund, but many are transferring cash to the bank accounts of low-income households or offering vouchers that can be spent on energy bills or at supermarkets.
You usually qualify for help if you are on a low income, benefits or classed as vulnerable.
You should contact your local council to find out what's on offer and whether you qualify for support.
Use an app for free or discounted food
Some apps can help you get hold of free or heavily discounted food that would otherwise go to waste.
Olio lets businesses and households offer up food that would be going into the bin.
It's often on a first-come-first-served basis so you'll need to be quick to snap up any items you want.
Another app you can try is Too Good To Go, which gives you 'surprise bags' of food at a discounted price.
Bear in mind you won't know what you're getting beforehand.
Free activities
Loads of UK attractions offer heavily discounted or even free admissions for people on Universal Credit or other key benefits.
Some of these include ZSL London Zoo, which offers tickets for just £3 for those on Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, or Jobseeker's Allowance.
Peak tickets usually start from £33.
Meanwhile you can get in for free at York Castle Museum, or for just £1 at Kew Gardens or any of the Historic Royal Palaces.
You can see the full list of places here.
Cut childcare costs
You may be able to get tax-free childcare that can save you 20% on childcare costs over the summer.
If you have two kids in clubs for five weeks, that's worth about £300.
The help is available for children aged under 12, or 17 if your child has a disability.
Eligible parents get up to £500 every three months — a total of £2,000 per year — per child to help with care such as nurseries and after-school clubs.
You can also use it toward the cost of holiday clubs.
You cannot use the scheme if you are on Universal Credit or receive tax credits - and you risk losing your benefits if you apply.
However you can claim for help with childcare costs separately through Universal Credit instead.
How to survive six weeks of school summer holidays
IF you are struggling with the six week summer holidays, you've come to the right place...
BATTLING BOREDOM: Despite hours of activities and playdates, if your kids are already complaining there's nothing to do, parenting expert Liat Hughes Joshi says: 'Don't feel you have to organise every second of the holidays. Kids benefit from boredom and learn to make their own fun.
'Boredom can trigger creative and imaginative play but you need to encourage kids to get used to not being told how to spend their time.
'Ride out the pleas of boredom. Counter it with comments such as, 'What do you think you could do?' and maybe have a list of 'I'm bored' activity ideas on the fridge.'
SCREEN OVERLOAD: It's tempting during the holidays to rely on a digital babysitter but don't let them gawp their whole summer away in front of a screen.
Liat says: 'It's unfair to expect older kids to power down but it's important to set some ground rules.
'Set family tech rules together. If you're often distracted by your phone, follow the rules too. Maybe tell the kids they aren't allowed any screen time until they've done set chores, some exercise, or a board game.
'Are there times when you'd like to ban screens completely? Perhaps during dinner or when they have friends over to visit.
'Tech is a battleground for parents, but you have to set boundaries. Stand firm and be prepared to be unpopular.'
TOO MUCH TOGETHERNESS: You love your kids, but being with them 24/7 can be exhausting. Do not feel guilty if you need a bit of downtime.
Liat says: 'If you're juggling work and household tasks as well as occupying the kids, it's normal to start feeling overwhelmed or jaded and in need of some peace.
'If you can't afford or don't want to send your kids to all-day camps, look for free kids' workshops so you can get on with jobs or have a break for a couple of hours.
'Seeking a spell of quiet every now and then doesn't make you a bad parent — in fact it will probably make you more positive and enthusiastic when you are with the kids.'
SCHEDULING CONFLICT: Schedules can go out the window during holidays, but late nights and early mornings can mean tired and unhappy children.
Dr Tamara Bugembe, paediatrician and founder of Helperbees.co.uk says: 'Children get grumpy, test boundaries and become challenging when routines are broken.
'Sticking to some kind of routine during the holidays is a good idea.
'We release hormones at different times of the day and when regular meal times and bed times are broken, it causes dips and peaks in mood.
'Holidays are about having fun but an early night once or twice a week will make everyone happier.'
EXCESS ENERGY: Make sure kids get out in the fresh air to tire them out — and make them healthier and happier.
Dr Bugembe says: 'Sunshine also tops up vital vitamin D levels which helps improve bone strength and energy levels in children. Our levels run low in winter so let the kids stock up in warmer weather.
'Letting them run around in shorts and a T-shirt is the best way to top up. Make sure they're wearing sun cream, get outside and have fun.
'Encourage them to try healthy habits such as cycling and walking. They'll hopefully get hooked and want to carry them on when the weather gets colder.'