5 Budget-Friendly Family Vacation Ideas

1. Take a road trip: It now costs you less to put gas in your car while it will take more money to get your bags on a plane. The idea of spending hours in a car with howling kids might terrify you, but they are your kids and the howls of laughter can make it worth all your effort. The key to a successful family road trip is planning. Pick a travel route that connects interesting places at least 75% of your family will enjoy. MP3 and portable DVD players can be great to keep the kids quiet, but don’t rely on them the entire trip. Technology creep has led families to spend less and less time actually communicating. Just don’t expect anything miraculous to happen. Most family bonding happens when remembering a trip, not during it.
2. Visit a relative or friend: That crazy old aunt of yours who lives right on a beautiful lake might be willing to have you and your family stay in her huge house for a few days. If you’ve got a buddy from college who also lives in a beautiful spot, you might want to call him first. Being a great guest can take a bit of work. It’s much like anything else that offers great rewards for very little money: a bit of planning, some practice, and a lot of patience will bring about success.
3. Vacation during the off-season: As a kid, I grew up spending the last three weeks of August camping in the wild woods of Eastern Canada. The weather was still pleasant but most tourists were already at home fighting over new binders and shoes for school. By taking care of school shopping and other details ahead of time, you not only miss the lines at the mall but also the long waits to see attractions during your vacation. Cheaper housing, tickets, and shorter lines at attractions all mean you spend less money while spending more time with your family before school starts.
4. Stay close: If you don’t like the idea of driving long distances or just prefer to sip fossil fuels, consider staying close for your next family vacation. Depending on which part of the world you live in, there may be hundreds of activities, attractions, and places to eat nearby that you have never tried with your family. Put together a schedule and plan out each day for your vacation. Especially if your kids are young, planning vacation activities that interest your family and land you in your bed each night mean good times with less exhaustion.
5. Eat in: There is no rule that states you must eat out every meal during your vacation. Grab sandwich ingredients at a nearby store and put lunches together in your hotel room. If eating out is important to your family feeling like they’re on vacation, go to a nice restaurant for dinner each night as a compromise.

Have a wonderful vacation!

Tags: family vacations | planning adventures | Saving Money | travelling with kids