Parents are facing a nearly £48 bill per child for ice creams over the summer holidays, according to a new survey. The poll of 2,000 parents of children aged four to 16 found the average price of an ice cream is now £2.65. With the average child eating three ice creams a week during the six-week break, this amounts to a total of £47.70.
The research, commissioned by supermarket chain Aldi, also revealed significant regional variations in ice cream prices. Leeds emerged as the most expensive city, with an average cost of £2.86 per ice cream, followed closely by London at £2.82, and Bristol and Manchester both at £2.80. Notably, 18 per cent of respondents in Leeds reported paying at least £4 for a single cone from an ice cream van.
Financial Strain on Families
The findings highlight the growing financial pressure on families during the summer break. A staggering 85 per cent of parents believe that the days of buying a 99p whippy ice cream are over. Furthermore, one in three (30 per cent) admitted they have gone without buying an ice cream for themselves so their child could enjoy one, while a quarter confessed to lying to their children that the ice cream van had sold out to avoid the cost.
Julie Ashfield, chief commercial officer at Aldi, commented: "Summer holidays are becoming increasingly expensive for families, with the cost of everyday treats and activities quickly adding up. With so many families budgeting months in advance and worrying about costs, it's never been more important that everyday essentials and family favourites remain affordable."
Broader Summer Holiday Costs
The study, conducted by OnePoll, also found that the six-week break is expected to set families back an additional £200 on average compared to term time. Weekly grocery bills are projected to rise by an extra £49 during the holidays. Parents anticipate spending an average of £134 on dining out, £105 on holiday clubs, and £132 on day trip tickets over the summer.
Top family outings include trips to the beach (68 per cent), the cinema (56 per cent), and the zoo (44 per cent). Even staying at home comes with costs, as indoor activities such as arts and crafts average £70 over the break.
Planning and Saving
As a result of these financial pressures, one in three parents are concerned about the burden of summer holiday costs. Thirty per cent plan ahead to make the most of their time with their children, with 21 per cent starting to save as early as January. Additionally, 38 per cent of parents want to give their children the best summer possible but feel restricted by their finances.
To assist families, Aldi has implemented additional price reductions on more than 300 family favourites as part of its broader £300 million investment to lower prices on over 1,000 products this year. The retailer has also launched a Summer Support Scheme, giving away £50 shopping vouchers to families every day throughout July and August.
Most Expensive 99s Across the UK
The survey ranked cities by the average cost of an ice cream. Leeds topped the list, followed by London, Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, Leicester, Sheffield, Newcastle, Glasgow, and Birmingham.
