The price of summer: Why families are sacrificing to keep kids active
Summer is a time kids count down to, but for many parents, it’s a season of tough choices and tighter budgets. With schools closed, millions of families are left figuring out how to cover child care, day camps and weeks of activities, but many are willing to go into debt to make it happen.
Summer fun, serious cost
A new survey from LendingTree found that 60% of parents with kids under 18 are feeling the pinch when it comes to summer child care. For families who need it, the average cost runs about $900 per child, a price that’s tough for many to manage.
The average cost of summer care adds up quickly, especially for certain groups. Dads report spending about $976 per child, while millennial parents between the ages of 29 and 44 spend an average of $954.
“As much as they’d love to take a bunch of time off during the summer to spend with their kids, that just isn’t a realistic thing for most Americans, so they’re forced to shell out for child care. That extra cost often requires sacrifice,” said Matt Schulz, chief consumer finance analyst with LendingTree.
To help cover those expenses, 48% of parents say they cut back on spending like dining out and entertainment. Others said they scaled back on vacations, delayed bills or paused savings.
Many want more for their kids
Many parents say they want to give their kids more during the summer. more camps, more programs and more ways to stay active and engaged. But for a lot of families, it just is not possible within their budget.
About 86% of parents said they would enroll their children in more summer activities if they could afford it. While another 44% receive some kind of assistance, 36% say there are not enough affordable options in their area.
The gap between what parents want and what they can afford is having an impact. About 71% of parents say their household expenses go up during the summer. To manage the added cost, nearly two-thirds have taken on debt. Among those, more than one-third said it took six months or longer to pay it off.
Even with the strain, most parents say summer care is worth it. While 49% admit the summer months bring a dreadful spirit, 91% say it is important for their kids to stay involved in structured activities when school isn’t in session. Another 91% believe summer programs are a good investment in their child’s growth and overall wellbeing.
U.S. data takes a look at childcare costs
In 2022, U.S. families spent between 8.9% and 16% of their median income on full-day care for just one child. That came out to anywhere from $6,552 to $15,600 a year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor in 2024.
Even part-day care, such as before and after school programs, wasn’t much cheaper. Those costs averaged 8.1% to 9.4% of family income, or about $5,943 to $9,211 annually for one child.
For comparison, the median cost of a year’s rent in 2022 was $15,216.
An advocacy group called ChildCare Aware of America reports that the average cost of child care in 2024 reached $13,128. For a married couple with children, that price eats up about 10% of their median income. For a single parent, it’s an even bigger burden, taking up roughly 35% of their median household income.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
