Whilst raising a child is an incredibly rewarding experience, it also comes with a hefty price tag.
New research from VoucherCodes.co.uk reveals that the cost of raising a child in the UK has seen a staggering 90% increase since 2020*, with parents now forking out an eye-watering £405,019.68 from pregnancy to 18 years old – more than the price of the average UK home.
As UK families struggle with soaring childcare costs, everyday essentials, and education expenses, the in-depth data sheds light on the financial reality of parenting in 2025 – from fancy car seats and after-school clubs to driving lessons.
With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to impact families across the nation1, and Google searches for ‘child benefit’ surging by over 5,000% in the last 30 days alone, now, more than ever, is the time for parents to plan ahead and cut costs where possible…
Here’s what the research, conducted in March 2025, revealed:
- 0-4 years: During a child’s formative years, parents will experience their most expensive period in a short amount of time, totalling a whopping £166,966 – with nursery fees and baby essentials wearing wallets thin.
- 4-12 years: In the ‘middle years’ of childhood, parents fork out an average of £143,465.68, taking into consideration school trips, pocket money, clothing, and more.
- 12-18 years: As children become teens, costs reach £94,588, with significant outgoings for transport, driving lessons, and technology like laptops and mobile phones.
How to cut costs without cutting corners
Whether you’re a first-time parent, or already have a newborn, toddler, or teen, experts are urging parents to shop smart and take advantage of schemes and offers available to them, where possible. Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk, shares top tips on how families can cut costs without cutting corners:
- Ditch unnecessary baby purchases
“This one’s especially for first-time parents – don’t be swayed by ‘must-have’ baby lists, when a lot of products go unused! Whilst you’ll want to buy car seats brand-new to ensure they meet safety standards, other items can be borrowed from friends or bought second-hand on eBay, Depop, or Vinted. You can also use sites like VoucherCodes.co.uk for savings on new items.
“Shockingly, Mums end up forking out £700 on maternity clothes that will only be worn for around six months! We suggest buying your size, borrowing from friends and family, and buying clothes as you need them, to make sure they fit the size and shape of your bump.”
- Sell unwanted items
“Anything you’ve bought new can absolutely be resold. Hang on to the boxes and receipts, and don’t take labels off new baby clothes or items until you need them. This will help when reselling them as you can fetch a higher price for anything with tags, banking some extra cash.”
- Claim government support
“Lots of parents don’t realise they’re missing out on helpful government support. If your child is over nine months old, you may be entitled to claim 15 hours a week of funded childcare. Make sure to check your eligibility and explore Tax-Free Childcare schemes for extra savings.”
- Save on school essentials
“When it comes to school uniform shopping, the earlier the better! Hit the sales in July and you’ll be sure to save big. I’d also suggest avoiding school uniform shops where possible – they’re always more expensive than high street stores, unless, of course, you need items with the school logo on. For shoes, it’s best to wait until September. Kids’ feet grow fast, and prices rarely drop.”
- Make tech more affordable
“Consider refurbished laptops and phones, use family plans for mobile contracts, and trade in old tech for discounts on new purchases. My top tip is to use Billmonitor to check what you actually need – as 70% of us are currently overpaying on our phone contracts!”
- Cut food and travel costs
“With food and nutrition totting up to £22,968.45 over the years, it’s worth signing up to supermarket loyalty schemes, using restaurant voucher codes, and keeping an eye out for kids-eat-free deals.
“All children aged 5-16 qualify for free school transport if they go to their nearest school and live at least two miles away, so it’s worth checking your eligibility.”
- Affordable recreation and cultural activities
“When it comes to entertaining your kids, look out for free or discounted attractions with family passes or loyalty memberships. Many UK supermarkets also offer loyalty card points that can be redeemed for theme park and cinema tickets.”
