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СпутникиРНSpaceXРоскосмосNASANew research revealed that some parents spend upwards of £100 per week on children’s entertainment during the school break.
The summer school holidays are kicking off in Scotland and parents are facing their annual dilemma - how to keep the kids entertained without breaking the bank.
The cost of living crisis is not only affecting our energy bills and food shopping budgets, it often makes family days out seem even further out of reach.
New research from ScotRail today revealed that some parents spend upwards of £100 per week on children’s entertainment during the school break.
The study of 1,000 parents across Scotland revealed three quarters of them feel the school holidays are more financially challenging than term-time, with more than a quarter spending as much as an extra £600 over the break.
But one Scots child psychology expert says research also shows kids don’t care about expensive activities and build their core memories from experiences with people who matter to them - encouraging parents not to chase the “perfect summer”.
Dr Rebecca Johnson, who has a research specialism in children, young people and mental health, gives the Record her top five tips for affordable ways to keep youngsters happy as ScotRail announce their “bucket list” of hotspots families can visit while keeping costs down.
She said: “Children’s brains are still developing, working hard to organise everything that happens to them, a bit like a library.
“That part of the brain - the amygdala - influences which experiences are ‘sticky’, as in the ones that will be remembered.
“Experiences are more likely to be tagged as important if there’s an emotion attached to them, such as excitement, laughter or wonder, and that’s even more likely when they’re shared with family and friends they care about.
“That’s why something as simple as a day at the beach, exploring a museum or visiting somewhere new can stay vivid for years.
“Those experiences don’t need to cost the earth, because children remember the feeling much more than the price tag.”
To help ease the strain, ScotRail today unveils a budget-friendly bucket list of 47 days out, all easily reached by train with Kids for a Quid tickets.
Up to four children can travel for just £1 return each with a paying adult with a ticket also offering discounts and some free child tickets to selected attractions across the whole of Scotland.
Dr Johnson’s top tips on building core memories with our kids on a budget1. Don’t chase the “perfect” summerDr Johnson said: “Parents can put enormous pressure on themselves to fill every day with exciting activities, especially when social media makes it feel like everyone else is doing something bigger and better.
“Try not to compare your family to someone else’s highlights. Children don’t need a perfect summer, they just need opportunities to enjoy their childhood - a trip to the beach, a walk in a forest or a simple kids go free museum can all do this.”
2. Focus on shared experiences, not expensive ones“Research shows children and young people want to spend their summer spending time with family and friends, trying new experiences, taking a break and having some choice over what they do,” Dr Johnson said.
“They want to experience their childhood and enjoy living in the moment.
“Those shared moments are far more valuable than spending lots of money.”
3. Choose experiences that spark excitement, laughter or wonderThe expert said: “Children’s brains are more likely to hold on to experiences that are connected to positive emotions. It also helps if there is something ‘new’, because children and young people are more open to new experiences than adults.
“Whether it’s spotting wildlife, exploring a castle, paddling at the beach or visiting a museum, those moments of excitement and curiosity are what help create lasting memories.”
4. Give children some choice“Children and young people enjoy having some choice over how they spend their holidays,” Dr Johnson said. “Term time is very structured, which often doesn’t allow them to really follow their passions and hobbies. Being able to choose what they actually want to do is often one of their favourite parts of summer.
“It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Simply letting them choose between a few different activities helps them feel involved and makes the experience more meaningful.”
5. Remember the journey can be part of the adventureThe psychologist said: “The experience doesn’t only begin when you arrive. Travelling somewhere together by train, for example, gives families valuable time to talk, laugh and build excitement before they’ve even reached their destination. Instead of sitting up front driving all day, parents can spend time playing games, asking questions, and bonding with the family.
“Those shared moments all contribute to the memories children take away.”
Dr Johnson adds: “The biggest thing I’d encourage parents to remember is that memories aren’t made when you open your wallet, but when children get to have fun with the people they care about, doing things that genuinely interest them.
“If we can take the pressure off trying to create the ‘perfect’ summer and instead focus on spending meaningful time together, that’s what children are most likely to remember long after the holidays are over.”
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