Parents are expected to spend nearly £50 per child on ice creams during the upcoming summer holidays, according to a recent survey. The average price of an ice cream cone now stands at £2.65, with many children consuming around three ice creams per week over the six-week break. This means families could be spending approximately £47.70 per child on these treats alone.

The survey, which included responses from 2,000 parents of children aged four to 16, highlighted regional variations in ice cream prices. Leeds was identified as the most expensive city, with an average cone price of £2.86, followed closely by London at £2.82, and Bristol and Manchester both averaging £2.80 per cone. Notably, about 10 percent of parents reported paying as much as £4 for a single ice cream cone from vans.

Financial pressure was evident among parents, with one in three admitting they had foregone buying ice cream for themselves so their child could have one. Additionally, around 25 percent of parents have resorted to telling their children that the ice cream van had run out of stock as a means to limit spending.

Beyond ice cream, parents also expect to face broader holiday expenses. The survey found that average anticipated spending across the summer includes £134 on eating out, £105 on holiday clubs, and £132 on day trip tickets. These figures underscore the financial strain many families experience during the summer holiday period as they balance leisure activities and treat costs.