British families feel the squeeze of summer holidays

New research released by Buyagift.com shows Britain's parents spend a staggering £9.5 billion on entertaining their kids during the six-week break.

A study by the leading online gifting and experience website found that most parents spend £1,232 on keeping their children entertained during the summer holiday.

Research by Buyagift.com of 1,000 parents found that by the time kids go back to school the average family will have spent; £472 on childcare, £388 on day trips in the UK and £372 on food and drink.

The survey, which also looked into the specific opinions of families in the South West of England, found parents are shunning expensive, stressful family holidays in favour of UK day trips, with 40% of parents deciding not to go on holiday at all this year.

Almost half of parents say they are put off by the cost, with research showing a huge 62% of parents saying they are planning to go on more day trips instead as they are cheaper.

The majority of parents (56%) say they find day trips to the coast or theme parks less stressful than summer holidays abroad or staying at home cooped up with the kids. (26%) of parents say holidays abroad are too stressful while a third (33%) say staying at home all day drives them round the bend.

Over half of parents (58%) acknowledge they prefer day trips because they are cheaper, while 23% feel that day trips offer a greater variety of activities.

Dan Moutain, Buyagift.com CEO, said: "The summer holidays are an exciting time for children, but it's no surprise that they can instill an element of dread in parents as kids demand to be kept entertained throughout the course of the six weeks. 

" As well as being  more cost-effective, activities and day trips provide more value and variety than the annual summer holiday and can be worked around parents' work schedules for minimal disruption.  At Buyagift.com we have a range of days out available from as little as £6.30, meaning there's something for everyone - no matter their budget - to enjoy throughout the long summer break."