This article is for general information only. It is not financial advice and does not recommend a specific lender or product.

The summer holidays can be one of the most expensive stretches of the year for families. Six or more weeks of keeping children entertained adds up quickly, especially when costs for childcare, days out, and food are all rising at the same time.

The good news is that many local councils, museums, and charities run low-cost or free activities specifically designed for families over summer. A bit of planning before the school year ends can make a real difference to what you spend.

What has changed recently?

Several schemes that ran in previous summers have been confirmed or expanded for summer 2026:

  • The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme has been confirmed to continue in summer 2026, offering free places to children who receive benefits-related free school meals. Places cover activities and a meal each day. Local authorities run their own versions, so availability varies. You can find details on the GOV.UK HAF programme page.
  • Many national museums and galleries (including those funded by the UK government) remain free to enter. This includes the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the British Museum, and the National Gallery in London. Regional publicly funded museums often follow a similar model.
  • Libraries across England, Scotland, and Wales are running their annual Summer Reading Challenge, which is free to join and open to children of school reading age.

Why does this matter?

Family spending over the summer holidays puts real pressure on budgets. According to MoneyHelper, parents can face significantly higher costs in July and August, particularly when childcare is needed to cover working hours. Free and subsidised activities reduce the gap you have to fill from your own pocket.

The important bit is that planning early gives you more options. Many free or subsidised schemes have limited places and fill up fast once the school year ends.

Who may be affected?

  • Families with children on benefits-related free school meals may qualify for HAF programme places. To find your local HAF provision, visit your local council's website or use the GOV.UK local council finder to identify your authority, then search for "Holiday Activities and Food" on their site.
  • Families in all income brackets can benefit from free museum visits, library activities, and local parks events. These are not means-tested.
  • Working parents who pay for holiday childcare should look at whether they are eligible for Tax-Free Childcare through the UK government, which can help reduce costs. Note that the Childcare Voucher scheme is closed to new applicants; only parents already enrolled before October 2018 can continue to use it.

Should you borrow for summer activities?

This is worth pausing on. Short-term borrowing (for example, using a credit card or a personal loan) for non-essential spending like holidays and days out is generally not the most cost-effective route. Interest and charges mean you pay more than the original cost, sometimes for months or years afterwards.

If your budget is already stretched, Citizens Advice and MoneyHelper both offer free guidance on managing costs during expensive periods. Check this before deciding to borrow.

What to read next

If you want to understand borrowing costs before making any decisions, these guides explain how it works in plain English:

You may also find our budget planner tool useful for mapping out summer costs before they arrive.

Sources

Last reviewed: May 2026

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