A recent survey by First Transpennine Express has revealed that parents will spend on average £1,150 keeping children amused during the six week summer holiday.

In some areas, the average basic cost is closer to £3,000. And then there's all the extras of trips to theme parks, endless ice creams and burgers and holidays abroad.

Parents can expect to spend an average of nearly £80 on special days out, such as visits to theme parks, cinemas or the zoo, and bills for eating out will add up to an average of £62.90. Childcare is likely to cost parents around £76.90 during the summer break, while they will also spend an average of £72 on their children's hobbies and give them £45 in pocket money.

This report reveals keeping children entertained through the six-week summer holiday can cost parents thousands of pounds - and sleepless nights trying to keep offspring entertained.

For working parents, school holidays can be a nightmare or childcare options, expensive clubs and logistical pick up points. Try not to get stressed or feel guilty, your situation is what it is and try to make the most of it knowing your children are in a safe, fun environment whilst you're at work.

With all this in mind the 'summer holiday juggling mums' team at MumKnowsBest have devised a list of fun activities which won't cost you very much - if anything at all.

Cycling and Picnics
Go for a bike ride - cycling is an ideal way to stay healthy and have fun. Lots of parks and woodlands have cycle tracks which are completely free to visit. Why not take a picnic with you, children love picnics and depending on where you go, they can run freely and at the same time be safe and secure.

Pet Farms
All around the country there are parks and farms where you can take the children to see domestic animals like sheep, cows, rabbits in a safe and secure environment, these are sometimes called Children's Farms so look in your yellow pages for your nearest centre.

Bug Hunts and Nature Trails
Get closer to nature by searching out animals in a nature reserve; there are lots of reserves around the country most of them are free to enter. Failing that, the back gardne or local park is a good a place as any to collect leaves, twigs, flowers or bugs. Get home and retrieve the glue, glitter and paper and turn the trip into a craft day too.

Den Making
Whether it's turning a garden table upside down to make a boat or an indoor tent with old sheets, kids can come up with the most innovative ideas to create a play environment.

Get Bored
Bored children need to learn to be creative. If a child moans he's bored - great! As soon as you turn round and say - 'OK, load the dishwasher, do the weeding, wash the car', chances are, he's dashed out and found something to do! Failing that - get them to load the dishwasher or wash the car.

Stop Organising
Children who are used to being organised, ferried around, and entertained are often those hardest to please in the holidays. If children are being 'told' what to do or their days are 'planned' they are perhaps unsure of themselves when left to their own devices. Give them some space emotionally and physically and let them discover some quiet time at home or in the garden. Try something spontaneous or let them make the suggestions.

Fishing
Enjoy a days fishing, all children love the excitement of catching a fish - but please ensure an adult is present and the children can swim.

Kite Flying
Children love to fly kites, so on a breezy day, why not take them to the local park and fly kites. Kites can be inexpensive and can be bought in local shops for about £1.99 well worth the money as will keep the children occupied for hours. If they really like kite flying, look out for local kite flying competitions they are fabulous and usually free to watch

Jobs around the home
All children like to spend time with mum and dad, so why not have cooking days when the children can help bake cakes and biscuits, or a gardening day helping dad in the garden. Taking the children supermarket shopping can be a nightmare, why not give them their own list and let them shop for their favourite items. The simplest activities will keep them entertained.

Museums, Art Galleries and Libraries
Lots of local museums, galleries and libraries are now free to enter any many of them run children's activities in the holidays such as reading groups, computer classes and learning events.

Fruit Picking
All children love to go fruit picking, look in your local paper to see what fruit farms are around and what fruit is available to pick.

Keeping Fit
Local leisure centres run activity days for children, some are free others charge a nominal entrance fee, but these are always popular, some local football and cricket clubs also run taster days for children to learn about the game and participate. Also swimming in some areas is now free for children under 16 at local council pools. Parents can apply for free swimming cards for their children by going to their local council's website and registering. Always ensure your child can swim or is supervised.

Go back to School
Lots of schools now run summer schools, where children can go for the day or week and have organised trips or play activities.