Full list of summer holidays cost of living help for families - all the freebies and discounts you need to know about

The school summer holidays can be an expensive times of the year for families, as the cost of food, days out and keeping children entertained quickly piles up.

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to cut costs this summer if you struggling with the pressure.

From crisis grants to Kids Eat Free offers and discounted family attractions, free bus travel, here is what's available.

Universal Credit days out

You can get discounted or free days out to top UK attractions if you claim benefits such as Universal Credit.

For example, anyone claiming Universal Credit and other benefits can book a trip to the Tower of London for £1.

Those receiving Universal Credit can also get discounts at the Eden Project, zoos and wildlife parks, as well as museums and more.

We have rounded up a full list of Universal Credit summer discounted days out here.

Just be aware that you'll normally need to book in advance and online to get these special discounts.

Cost of living and crisis grants

If you're facing a financial emergency over the summer holidays and on benefits, you could be able to get help.

The government has previously dished out money to families struggling with the cost of living through the Household Support Fund, but this has now been replaced by the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF).

The money is distributed through local authorities.

Some schemes offer cash grants, while others provide vouchers, food parcels or essential household goods.

The exact support depends on where you live as each local authority chooses how to pass on the help.

If you're struggling to make ends meet during the school holidays, it's worth checking your local council's website to see whether a Crisis and Resilience Fund or Local Welfare Assistance scheme operates in your area.

The funds are typically designed to help people dealing with unexpected financial difficulties, if you are facing one of the following situations, check if you can help:

• Food shortages

• Emergency energy costs

• Essential household items that need replacing

• White goods such as fridges and cookers that need replacing

• Furniture that need replacing

• Costs linked to family crises or emergencies

Free holiday activities

One of the biggest sources of support during the summer holidays is the government's Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.

In many parts of England, the scheme offers free meals over the break, as well as activity clubs and sports sessions.

Support is available to children who receive free school meals, although eligibility can vary locally so check with your local council or school to see what's available.

The rules on school meals are also changing in September 2026 so it's worth checking if you could claim in future - even if you're not able to at the moment.

To sign up for the HAF programme, search for "Holiday Activities and Food programme" on your local council website and you'll then need a booking code provided by your child's school.

You may also be able to register directly with a local holiday club or activity provider.

Great British Summer Savings

Family days out, children's meals and cinema trips are officially cheaper during the 2026 summer holidays thanks to The Great British Summer Savings scheme.

The initiative cuts VAT from 20% to 5% on a range of activities and meals until 1 September 2026.

If a business passes on the full VAT saving, the government estimates a family of two adults and two children could save around £7 to £10 on a theme park or zoo visit, around £3 to £4 on a cinema trip, and around £2 to £3 on a children's meal in a restaurant.

Businesses are not legally required to pass the VAT saving on to customers, which is why knowing which ones have committed to doing so matters.

Here are some of the major names cutting costs:

• Merlin Entertainments, which runs Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Legoland and Chessington World of Adventure, has backed the scheme

• Butlin's: confirmed for both Day Visit tickets and children's meals across their dining venues

• Haven Holidays: expects to give up to £5 million back to families across its 39 parks during the scheme, whether they have already booked or book in the coming weeks

• Gulliver's Theme Park Resorts, Paultons Park (home of Peppa Pig World), Crealy Theme Park and Camel Creek Family Adventure Park have all confirmed their participation

You can use the government tool and put in your postcode to find more discounts near to where you live.

Kids Eat Free summer holidays 2026

Many popular restaurant chains launch kids eat free deals over the break to help families cut the cost of eating out.

However, there is usually a catch with parents typically having to buy a full meal or spend a certain amount to get the offer.

That's not the case with all.

We have picked out some of the best offers including Morrisons free breakfast offer.

Tesco is also offering a free kids meal with any full-price adult purchase - but this can be something as small as an apple costing just 65p.

And for the first time, the scheme is running at weekends. Previously it had only been available on weekdays.

The promo is running from now until 1 September and you'll need to swipe a Clubcard to get the deal.

Free bus travel for kids in August 2026

Free bus travel for children aged 5 to 15 is coming to England throughout August 2026, as part of a new government scheme designed to take some of the financial pressure off families during the summer holidays.

There's no registration required and no fares to pay. The government is committing more than £100 million to fund the scheme between 1 and 31 August.

For families already managing rising food and energy costs, it is a genuinely useful saving.

The scheme is another part of the government's Great British Summer Savings initiative.