Brit parents spend £4,600 a year keeping kids entertained with theme parks, parties & toys top of the list, survey finds

The Sun

28-05-2025

THE average parent spends almost £4,600 a year per child keeping them entertained.
A poll of 2,000 mums and dads with kids aged 17 and under found they'll splash the cash taking them to theme parks (£124), visiting museums (£127), or going to sports clubs (£455), a study has found.
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With holiday camps (£136), cinema trips (£143), and toys and games (£152) also contributing to the hefty annual sum.
On average, they'll enjoy around four family trips a month - 45 a year.
However, 45 per cent 'struggle' to keep their kids entertained – and as many as 62 per cent feel pressure to spend beyond what they want or can doing so.
And this might explain why almost everyone polled (96 per cent) has depended on special offers and coupons to save money.
The study was commissioned by electric car brand Leapmotor, which is offering four-year discount passes via Kids Pass, an app which saves families an average of £400 a year on days out, with the purchase of its C10 family SUV.
When keeping their kids entertained, it emerged school holidays are when parents feel the squeeze on their finances the most.
More than a quarter (26 per cent) consider half-term to be the costliest time of the year in this respect, with the summer (60 per cent) and Christmas (60 per cent) holidays most expensive.
Almost half (47 per cent) will split the planning between themselves and their children, while 39 per cent will largely let their kids choose.
Just 10 per cent of parents will decide what to do without any say from their kids.
Regardless, those polled believe their children's favourite activity to do away from the home is go to the cinema (28 per cent), with swimming (22 per cent) and theme parks (20 per cent) also popular.
So to are attending birthday parties (17 per cent), dining out (17 per cent), and going to sports clubs (14 per cent).
But 80 per cent of mums and dads prefer pursuits which will educate their kids in some way.
The study also found they typically get inspiration for things to do from friends and family (52 per cent), followed by social media (51 per cent), and TV (31 per cent).
On average, those with children of talking age – generally aged three or above – will hear their kids utter those dreaded words 'I'm bored' 128 times annually.
Carried out through OnePoll, the study found 62 per cent 'always' or 'often' rely on their car to get their kids where they need to be for the purposes keeping them entertained.
And those who rely on a car, travel 727 miles a year doing so.
Damien Dally, managing director, Leapmotor UK, added: 'We understand parents are under constant pressure to find ways to keep their kids entertained.
'And our mission is about helping our customers get the best value possible be that from their car or their everyday adventures.
'We all have fond memories of those family days out travelling in the car.'
COST OF KEEPING KIDS ENTERTAINED ANNUALLY:
Museum – £126.89
Theme parks – £123.61
Throwing birthday parties – £176.62
Toys and games – £152.43
Clothes and accessories – £211.91
Visiting amusement arcades – £109.38
Visiting holiday camps – £136.26
Videogaming – £128.37
Visiting petting farms or zoos – £103.64
Visiting indoor trampoline or climbing parks – £130.86
Cinema trips – £143.46
Soft play – £122.52
Attending workshops or educational classes – £133.24
Dining out – £193.28
Attending sports clubs or activities – £454.68
Streaming services or subscriptions – £418.44
Attending music or dance classes – £384.36
Visiting swimming pools or leisure centres – £412.80
Day trips (not including museums theme parks, amusement arcades, holiday camps, petting farms or zoos) – £520.80
Books and magazines – £392.28