School summer holidays and how to cut costs over the six-week break. With pressure on household budgets, the summer holidays can bring additional expenses for many. To help ease the financial strain, money-saving experts at Discounts for Teachers have shared five practical tips to cut costs, from making the most of exclusive discounts to finding places where kids can eat for free.
5 Tips to cut costs Summer Holidays 2026:
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Book ahead to beat last-minute costs
One of the easiest ways to reduce holiday spending is to plan activities in advance. Booking early and researching options helps families avoid expensive last-minute decisions and impulse purchases, making it easier to budget for the weeks ahead. A little forward planning also means there’s time to compare prices and secure the best available deals before they sell out.
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Make the most of the discounts available to you
A great way to save this summer is by making the most of the discounts available to you. There are lots of discount platforms out there that can help you save money on everything from groceries to flights. If you work in education or healthcare, Discounts for Teachers and Health Service Discounts are great options. Members report saving over £2,000 a year through these platforms, including significant savings on some of the UK’s best-loved days out and attractions. By using the exclusive discounts available before booking, families can enjoy the same days out for a fraction of the price.
Current offers include:
- Discounted entry to Alton Towers.
- Up to 40% off tickets at Cineworld.
- Up to 35% off UK & worldwide attractions with Tiqets.
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3. Save on travel with flexible options
Transport costs can quickly add up during the holidays, but choosing the right options can help keep spending under control. A Family & Friends Railcard reduces adult rail fares by a third and offers up to 60% off children’s tickets, making train travel a far more affordable choice for family days out.
For longer journeys, Coach travel can be a cost-effective alternative. Operators such as Caledonian Travel offer trips across the UK and Europe at affordable prices, making it easier for families to explore further afield without stretching the budget.
4. Make the most of free and low-cost days out
Not every activity needs to come with a ticket price. Parks, beaches, woodlands and local attractions offer free or low-cost ways to keep children entertained throughout the summer, and packing a picnic with snacks and drinks from home is an easy way to make a day out even more affordable.
Days at home can be just as enjoyable as days out when planned well. Craft kits from The Entertainer can encourage creativity indoors, while streaming services such as Netflix offer low-cost family entertainment for rainy days, with its standard with ads plan costing just £5.99 a month. For a completely free option that also encourages reading over the holidays, a trip to the local library is hard to beat. And don’t forget to check out some books for further entertainment at home!
5. Eatout for less
The summer holidays often mean more meals out, family activities and spontaneous treats, which, while fun, put that extra pressure on budgets. Lots of restaurants, such as Bella Italia, offer “kids eat free” deals during the holidays, helping keep the cost of the day down.
Using cards that offer cashback is another simple but great way to save on spending without having to change your habits. The ode Cashback Card is a great option for keyworkers, allowing users to earn money back automatically on everyday spending at retailers such as Waitrose, turning routine purchases into extra savings without any extra effort.
You can discover more ways to save on your family adventures here.