How to Budget for the School Holidays

School holidays are a welcome break for kids, and a busy stretch for family budgets. Between childcare, activities, days out and extra snacks, the costs can add up quickly, especially across the longer breaks. The good news is that a little planning and a few free or low-cost ideas can keep everyone entertained without stretching your finances. Here is how to budget for the school holidays and still have plenty of fun.

What do school holidays typically cost?

Costs vary depending on your children's ages, whether you need care while you work, and how much you do. For families who rely on holiday care, providers such as KidsCo note that school holiday programs commonly run between $60 and $150 per child per day, and total expenses across a longer break can reach $1,000 to $2,000 per child once activities and outings are included.

Even without paid care, the everyday extras add up: more meals and snacks at home, entry fees for attractions, transport, and the occasional treat. Knowing this helps you plan rather than react.

Create a realistic holiday budget

A simple budget keeps the holidays fun rather than fraught. To build one:

• List the fixed costs first. If you need holiday care or a camp for working weeks, budget that in as your starting point.
• Set an activities allowance. Decide a weekly amount for outings and entertainment so the fun has a clear limit.
• Add a food buffer. Kids at home all day eat more. A small top-up to your grocery budget avoids surprises.
• Plan a mix. Balance one or two paid outings with plenty of free days so the budget stretches across the whole break.

Tracking it as you go makes a real difference. The Budgeting & Insights tools in the Beforepay app let you set a holiday spending limit and see how you are tracking in real time.

Affordable activities for families

Some of the best school holiday memories cost little or nothing. Ideas to fill the days:

• Free local events. Many councils and libraries run free school holiday programs, craft sessions and story times. Check your local council website.
• Get outdoors. Parks, beaches, bushwalks, bike rides and playgrounds are free and tire everyone out nicely.
• At-home adventures. Backyard camping, a movie afternoon, baking, or a themed craft day keep kids engaged for hours.
• Low-cost attractions. Museums, galleries and community pools often have free or discounted entry, and many zoos and attractions offer family passes.
• Swap and share. Organise a toy or book swap with other families, or take turns hosting playdates to share the load.

Tips for reducing travel and entertainment costs

If you are heading away or planning bigger outings, a few habits keep costs down. Book attractions online in advance where tickets are cheaper, travel outside peak times, take your own food and drinks rather than buying on site, and look for family or multi-visit passes if you will go more than once. For any getaway, comparing accommodation early and being flexible with dates can save a lot. Reviewing your everyday bills before the holidays, for example with Beforepay's Compare & Save, can also free up a little extra room in the budget.

Planning ahead for future school holidays

School holidays fall at predictable times each year, which makes them easy to plan for. Rather than absorbing the cost in one hit, add up what you tend to spend across all the breaks in a year and set aside a small amount each payday into a dedicated account. By the time the holidays arrive, the money is ready and waiting. The Australian Government's Moneysmart budget planner is a helpful free tool for mapping these seasonal costs.

Final thoughts

School holidays do not have to blow the budget. With a realistic plan, a good mix of free and paid activities, and a habit of saving a little ahead of time, you can give your kids a break to remember while keeping your finances relaxed. If a surprise cost lands mid-holiday and you find yourself briefly short after covering the essentials, a small, short-term option such as a Beforepay Pay Advance is one way some people bridge the gap until payday. Consider it only after other options, and only if the repayments fit comfortably within your budget. Approval is not guaranteed and eligibility criteria apply.

This article is general information only and does not take into account your personal circumstances. It is not financial advice. Beforepay products are subject to eligibility criteria and Terms of Service.