School holidays are a brilliant time to spend with your little ones, whether it’s at your local play park or overseas seeing them build their first sandcastle in the sun and swim in the pool.

But as any parents know the costs can quickly mount up when the kids are of, from the seemingly endless demands for snacks plus all the activities and day trips in a bid to keep them occupied.

And a new study has found that parents can see a significant rise in costs during the summer taking in holidays away, summer camps, childcare food shops, summer camps, childcare and more with results showing that some families could spend up to €1,047.00 per week.

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According to life insurance broker, Reassured nearly half (48%) of parents state they feel pressure to give their child the same experience and activities as their peers and 36% reveal they work extra hours to afford the school holidays.

To help parents up and down the country, parenting coach, Isobel Mary Champion shares her tips on ways to cut costs during the school holidays:

Create a ‘fake away’ with the whole family

Food costs considerably impact parents during the school holidays, with kids not eating meals and snacking all day. So instead of forking out for their favourite takeaway, why not create your own ‘fake away’ at home? Instead of a takeout pizza, how about making pizzas together and adding your toppings? This is also a way of keeping meals healthy; you could add their favourite veggies to the pizza and have a side salad.

Take part in a car boot sale

Why not have fun with your kids by having a clear out of their clothes, games, and toys that they no longer use and sell them at a car boot sale to give your kids some extra pocket money? This is also a great way for educating your kids on money.

Join local Facebook groups and make the most out of free local activities

Join local community Facebook groups to keep yourself updated on what’s happening in your local area during the school holidays. Look for opportunities to visit local museums, art galleries, farmers’ markets, adventure playgrounds, and "splash pads" (large communal paddling pools). Also, keep an eye out for free concerts, events, or fetes happening in your area; there is usually lots going on during the holidays.

Buddy up and have play dates at home

Contact other parents and ask for a play date at your home. This takes away the cost of going out and spending a lot of money on activities, food, and a chance to spend some time with other parents.

Get down on your child's level and see the wonder in simple things that may seem commonplace to adults

Young children are often fascinated by activities such as going to an airport and watching planes take off, going to a railway station and watching trains pass through, going to a river or canal and looking at the boats, or taking a bus, train, or riverboat ride.

Explore the sensory experiences of the natural elements

Consider camping outdoors overnight, even if it's just in your back garden. Light a bonfire or fire pit for a cozy evening and enjoy s'mores. Cook and eat outdoors, swim or paddle in a natural water source, dig in the earth and look for bugs, or plant seeds. You can also visit a local fruit farm, pick your own fruit, vegetables, or herbs, and then bake with them in the kitchen.

Make use of coupons and loyalty cards

You can use loyalty cards in many supermarkets to receive discounts and build up points. As food bills will rise during school holidays, it's important to make the most out of these loyalty cards that can now be downloaded onto your phone and are free to use! Many retailers also offer coupons, keep an eye out for magazines sold in supermarkets to receive discounts on your weekly shop.

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