Summer Costs for Israeli Families with Three Kids Nearly Double Monthly Income

A joint report by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Education Minister Yoav Kisch, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich highlights the significant financial burden summer vacation places on families with children. The analysis focuses on a typical family with two working parents and three children aged 6 to 10. During a regular school month, such a family spends about 8,600 shekels on child-related expenses, including food, after-school programs, activities, transportation, and occasional babysitting, according to a survey published by Calcalist.

However, in August, when children are out of school and require full-day care, expenses nearly double to approximately 17,300 shekels. This increase of around 8,700 shekels stems mainly from summer camp fees, babysitting costs, increased food consumption, and family outings. The average summer camp in central Israel costs about 3,500 shekels per child for a full program, totaling roughly 10,500 shekels for three children without subsidies. Babysitting for three hours a day over 15 days adds about 2,700 shekels, while extra food expenses during the month reach nearly 1,860 shekels.

Family outings, such as movies, museums, national parks, and water parks, further add between 2,100 and 3,000 shekels depending on frequency. The report notes that families with flexible work arrangements, available grandparents, or subsidized programs may face lower costs. Yet, for many, these expenses approach the equivalent of two median monthly salaries in Israel, which stood at 10,586 shekels gross in early 2025.

Eli Cohen, CEO of the aid organization Petachon Lev, emphasized that employment alone no longer guarantees protection from poverty, as 60% of aid recipients are working-age families. He urged families struggling with summer costs to seek assistance through the organization's website. The report underscores the financial strain summer vacation imposes on Israeli families, especially those without support networks or flexible work options.