Frugal Family Vacation Ideas

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Frugal Family Vacation Ideas, Tips and Destination Suggestions

These family vacation ideas are intended for moms out there who at first may think a family vacation isn't possible for them.

Maybe you think it's not possible financially or maybe the thought of traveling with your kids is a bit daunting, but with a lot of planning, some creativity, and some good family vacation ideas you can enjoy some downtime as a family to refresh and renew.

I am a big believer in the family vacation. I believe our family vacations help keep us emotionally healthy and connected as a family. It's a chance to step away from every day routines and stress. We can do fun activities or just relax together. We create good memories when we're on vacation.

Making good vacation memories doesn't require spending tons of money or traveling great distances. You just need a fun and interesting place to go and some good planning.

Pick a Destination

Be Realistic and Keep an Open Mind

If you're working with a tight budget you certainly don't want to choose a destination that will overextend you, or worse yet, you don't want to find yourself stressing about money while you're supposed to be enjoying yourself on vacation. So start with places that are close to home. The further you have to travel, the more money it's going to cost you just to get there.

Do you have a family member, or work with someone who owns a vacation home somewhere nearby? Consider offering to rent their place for a week or a weekend.

Do you live near a popular vacation destination? The shore, a state park, a historical city, an amusement or water park.

Are you a member of an organization that's sponsoring a trip to somewhere? A ski weekend. A few days at an amusement park. A beach trip.

Vacation with another family. Invite another family to share your vacation and therefore, share the expense. Choose a destination that works well for the group. This is a really good money saver when you're looking to rent a vacation home. When calling for reservations and booking tours and such make sure to mention that you're traveling as a group. This could get you some additional discounts.

Traveling with an organization or purchasing a trip sponsored by a group or organization can give you substantial savings in transportation, accommodations and ticket costs. Even just looking to see where your local organizations are headed can give you some family vacation ideas.

Contact your states Board of Tourism and request a vacation planner. It will tell you all of the places in your state that are attractive tourist destinations. Do the same for states near you. You'll learn about some interesting places, or things to see and do that you never knew were there. I got my own State Vacation Planner and learned about towns and attractions that I didn't know existed. Each one is a potential weekend getaway or family vacation idea. Check out your state website.

If you're a member of AAA you can call them and request vacation information. AAA offers many hotel discounts all over the country.

Be open to considering some unconventional destinations for your family vacation idea. Don't be afraid to go off the beaten path. It may save you money. Just make sure that your destination is a place that will appeal to everyone in your family.

The Beach - A shore vacation is great and our favorite family vacation idea. If you're a single parent taking this vacation alone with very young children you will spend all of your time on the beach with your eyes on them. So there probably won't be much snoozing under the umbrella. However, there is nothing wrong with taking a good book that you can peek up from every so often as long as your kids are playing near you in the sand.

Theme/Amusement Parks - Your kids definitely won't complain about this family vacation idea but you will want to make sure that there is something for everyone. If you have toddlers check and see that there are rides and attractions that cater to their age group.

Historical Locations - Family vacations to historical cities can be wonderful. They can be educational and also totally relaxing, but young children may get bored with things like tours, exhibits and sightseeing.

Resort Locations - Lots of families find resort vacations appealing because most any activity anyone would want to do is located on the resort property. Lots of resorts offer packages that include meals, activities, tours or more. A resort is generally the priciest family vacation idea. Although a package can include practically everything you'll need (meals and activities), convenience is the name of the game here not necessarily saving, so if you're considering a resort vacation make sure you get complete specifics on everything that's included in the price.

Plan Your Spending

Once you know where you're going it's a good idea to plan out your activities and costs so you will know how much money you will need each day of your vacation. I strongly suggest that you pay for as much as you can ahead of time. Tickets to shows and local attractions can be purchased ahead of time.

Check if there is a meal plan available. Meal plans can include 2, sometimes 3 meals a day. Consider your families eating habits and decide if the meal plan works for you and your budget. Keep in mind that hotels will offer meal plans as a convenience, not necessarily as a savings tool, so check out exactly what you're getting to determine if a meal plan will meet your families needs. At the very least it gives you peace of mind knowing that those meals are set and paid for before you get there.

If you're going to be driving a lot during your vacation, either to get there or to get around while you're there, make sure you plan for the cost of gas, tolls and parking. This is especially important when you consider the ever-rising cost of gas.

Pack Lightly

I learned this lesson the hard way. When you're traveling with children you can very easily get bogged down with too much stuff before you even leave your house. Your kids will want to take everything (My kids always want to bring the stuffed animal brigade), so it's best to set limits and stick to them.

Don't wait until the last minute to pack. Make a list restricting the amount of clothes everyone can bring. I admit, this seems nit-picky but you'll be glad you did. It's very easy to over pack and take clothes you'll end up not using. Lugging around extra bags is no fun for anyone.

If you're going to have access to a washer and dryer it makes packing light even easier. If you plan to do one, maybe two loads of laundry while you're away you will be able to get a weeks worth of wear out of 3 or 4 "mix and match" outfits. Multiply that by how many of you will be traveling and you'll see how the suitcases fill up quickly. Don't forget to plan for the cost of coin laundry.

Bring toiletries that can be shared. One tube each of toothpaste, deodorant, lotion and sunblock for everyone to use.

Add in all other necessary items and when you're done if you feel compelled to put in "one more ___" that's a sign that you're about to start over packing. :-) Don't do it.

Enjoy Yourself!

A vacation, by definition, is a respite. A time away from your daily routine and stresses. As moms we sometimes forget to enjoy ourselves too. So make sure you remember this is your vacation too.

Planning an itinerary is a good family vacation idea, but make sure you leave some time open to be spontaneous. Decide on a morning or afternoon activity ahead of time, but then leave the other half of the day open to whatever possibility might present itself.

Let your kids make some choices about what the family gets to see or do.

If you go to the beach don't forget to bring your own pail and shovel! Get down in the sand and play with your kids. Help them build that sandcastle, or walk down the beach with them and gather your own shell collection.

Ride the roller coaster (or the bumper cars) with your kids.

Relax and do "nothing" with your kids.

Buy yourself an ice cream too.

Turn off your cell phone. (The kids are with you. Everyone else can wait.)

Have some totally fattening, yummy foods.

Laugh a lot to burn off the calories.

Take lots of pictures.

Enjoy your children.

Whether you make it a week or a weekend, use these family vacation ideas to make it the best family vacation ever! (Until next year of course.)

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