Christians Against Poverty - Monthly Advice Column - JULY 2023
By Christians Against Poverty on 12/07/2023
Captivate the kids on a summer budget
Lots of parents will be trying to limit spending money on activities, food and outings this summer. With the cost of food and other essentials having soared over the past year, finding free things to do with the kids is going to be a priority for lots of families this summer. Here are five money saving tips to keep kids entertained this summer.
Set the summer fun factor to ten
Start as you mean to go on and set the bar for fun from day one. Did you know the first of July is international joke day? Why not gather your best gags together and take turns to tell them at the dinner table? Or perhaps create a small stand up show!
Create a theme day
Most of us have heard about theme parks, but how about having a theme day at home? A ‘Dinosaur day’ could involve wearing your favourite dino outfit all day, eating like a T-Rex or stomping and roaring in the park. Themes can shape the whole day, from what you eat, where you go and what you do.
Low cost meals
The school holidays can be a difficult time for many families. With the sudden break from free school lunches, it places an added burden on parents to budget for extra food. Lots of restaurants and cafes offer £1 or free children’s meals during the holidays, so it’s worth checking out what’s on offer near you.
Join your library’s summer reading challenge
If you haven’t already, join your local library – it’s free. As well as having access to hundreds of physical books and audio stories, lots of libraries run storytelling, craft or even Lego sessions. Most libraries will be taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge this summer – offering activities, competitions and even virtual awards for children to win.
Budget for summer
At Christians Against Poverty (CAP) we see the challenge that parents face over providing for their families whilst keeping their finances afloat. Budgeting is a great way to prepare for the summer holidays, and a simple online search can lead you to useful budgeting tools. If you or someone you know is financially struggling or in debt, please know there’s help and hope. Call CAP on 0800 328 0006 or find out more about what we offer at capuk.org.
Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is a UK charity working with over 800 affiliated churches to deliver debt help, budgeting guidance, support to find work, life skills groups and more. Visit capuk.org to find out more.