Parent guilt is costing families £2,500 a year – here’s how to cut costs this Easter holiday

The Easter holidays are almost here, and for many parents the pressure is building. Social media is full of “perfect” days out, colour‑coordinated outfits and activities that look like they cost a small fortune. It’s no wonder so many parents feel they need to spend big to create memories. 

But all this pressure comes at a real cost. New research from Creditspring shows families now spend an average of £209 a month on child‑related extras; things like school trips, birthday parties and holiday activities. Over a year, that adds up to more than £2,500. 

And it’s mums who feel this strain the most. 

Why parents feel pushed to spend 

The study found that: 

• 56% of mums handle most of the everyday spending for children 

• 77% of mums have worried about child‑related costs in the last three months 

• Nearly half say social media makes them feel pressured to “keep up” 

• Younger parents feel it most — 91% of 18–24‑year‑olds say they’re stressed about spending 

This pressure leads many parents to spend more than they planned, pick up the bill for days out, or even turn to credit just to give their children the “right” experiences. 

But with the Easter break around the corner, it’s worth remembering: kids don’t need expensive days out to have a brilliant holiday. 

Here are ways to take back control this Easter and still create the kind of memories your kids will hold onto. 

1. Plan free days out (they’re often the most fun) 

There are so many free activities you can do as a family: 

• Hikes and woodland walks – there are so many beauty spots all over the UK, and it’s a great opportunity to teach kids about the local wildlife or even organise a scavenger hunt.  

• Beach trips and picnics – if you live near a beach and the weather is nice, why not pack a picnic basket and have a nice coastal walk with a few beach games?  

• Free museums and galleries – many across the UK don’t charge anything or come with discounts, and there are lots of free activities for kids.  

• Local events – so many local councils and small businesses run free events during school holidays, have a look on community Facebook groups and social media to see what’s happening near you. 

Everyone wants to create memories with their families and give their kids fun experiences. But those don’t have to cost a fortune.  

2. Bad weather? Have a cosy day at home 

If the rain hits (it is the UK…), make it a proper family day in. 

• Movie night - you're probably already paying for a streaming service or two; time to make use of them  

• Cook together – teach your kids a life skill and make a family meal together; make it fun and have a pizza night in where everyone picks their own toppings.  

• Arts and crafts – our pop culture editor Molly Dixon has tons of low cost Hobbycraft ideas to keep the kids busy at home  

Staying home can be just as special as a big day out and it costs next to nothing. 

3. Want to splurge? That’s fine, just plan it 

There’s nothing wrong with choosing one or two bigger treats for the whole family during Easter.  

But set a budget first. Pick one main activity, save for it in advance if you can by putting money away each month, and keep it simple.  

Remember, it’s not a competition with other parents. And kids would much rather have a relaxed parent than a stressed one worrying about money if you decide to put lots of expensive activities on your credit card.  

4. Look for deals and discounts 

There are plenty of ways to cut costs without cutting the fun: 

• Kids‑eat‑free and kids‑eat‑for-£1 deals during the holidays make it cheaper to eat out as a family.  

• Discounts through supermarket loyalty apps can give you money off experiences and eating out, they don’t just have to be spent at your local supermarket.  

• If you’re a thinkmoney SmartPlus customer, check the app for discounts on days out, restaurants, and entertainment; you can get discounted gift cards and save cash while still having a memorable day out.  

5. Focus on what actually matters 

When you take the guilt and pressure out of the equation, it becomes easier to see what your kids really value, and that’s your time and attention. None of that needs a £50 attraction ticket or a picture‑perfect day that looks good on Instagram. 

Lots of people are overspending because of societal pressure, to the point where they’re going into debt to keep up with their friends’ highlight reels on social media. That’s not the point though.  

Before you splurge, stop and ask yourself, will my kid really value this? Or am I doing it because I saw it on TikTok and it looked fun and now lots of other parents I know are doing it too, so I should too. Because, chances are, your kid doesn’t even care about the expensive thing as much as you think.