If you’re thinking of taking the whole family on an adventure this summer but don’t have a ton of money to spend, check out this blog. Here are 10 budget-friendly family vacation ideas.
Taking vacation as a family is an important experience for both parents and kids. As a parent, you want the opportunity to take time off work and see some place new, while kids want to have fun and break out of their routine. Sharing these trips can have a long-lasting impact on children’s happiness, and can bring you closer as a family.
If you’re on a budget, check out the Common Cents Mom blog to get tips on living well on a budget. And although planning this type of vacation can feel more stressful than it is rewarding, it will be worth it in the long run. But that shouldn’t be the case. All families, no matter how much money they have to spend, should be able to create the kind of lasting memories you only make on vacation.
When it comes to budget-friendly family vacation ideas, a little inspiration and creative thinking can go a long way. Below, we’re sharing ideas for cheap family vacations you can take this summer.
Read on to learn more!
1. Visit a Nearby City
Even a slight change of scenery can make a summer vacation feel like an exciting adventure. You don’t have to book plane tickets or spend hours in the car to have a worthwhile family vacation.
Pick a city within driving limits that your family has never been to together. To make the most out of a day trip, do research ahead of time so you know exactly what spots to hit and how much they cost. You may not be traveling far, but it will be a memorable trip all the same.
2. Spend a Weekend at the Beach
A beach trip is one of the best cheap vacation ideas for families, especially if you can find a beach within driving distance.
If possible, try to find a house or condo to rent for the duration of your stay. You can save money by grocery shopping and cooking your own meals, rather than eating out as you would have to do if you were in a hotel. It will also be a more comfortable home base for your family.
3. Take to the Woods
Camping is a great way for you and your family to enjoy the great outdoors without spending a lot of money. Most campsites are inexpensive to book for a night or a short stay, and you can bring all of your own supplies with you.
The best part about camping as a budget-conscious family is that most of the activities are free! You can find great hiking trails or swimming spots, and enjoy them over and over again without paying a cent.
If you think you’ll be camping often as a family, it’s worth investing in equipment that will last you a long time. Many sporting goods stores also have rental equipment available, which could be another good option for keeping costs down.
4. Visit Family
Paying for hotels and accommodations can be one of the biggest expenses when traveling, which is why going to visit family is one of the best summer vacations. If there are grandparents, aunts, and uncles, or any other relatives who live far away, see if they can host you.
You’ll save on costs by avoiding lodging, and your kids will get to spend time with their extended family. Just be sure to be a gracious guest, since you are staying in someone else’s home. Even if you end up on an air mattress, sleeper sofa, or smaller guest bedroom, at least it’s free of charge!
5. Stay Where You Play
All-inclusive resorts can be unnecessarily expensive, but there are plenty of affordable ways to combine accommodations and activities. At a holiday park, for example, you have kid-friendly activities just footsteps from the front door of your RV.
A place like Ingenia Holidays offers you and your family the chance to do everything from hiking to water sports to arts and crafts projects to open-air movie viewings. Make your friends jealous with how much you’re doing and how little you’re spending.
6. Plan a Staycation
You’d probably be surprised at how much there is to do in your own hometown that you’re usually to busy to explore. A summertime staycation is a perfect way to explore something new, which is what summer vacation should be about — without the expensive travel.
Make a list of museums, parks, that you’ve always meant to visit but haven’t yet. Try foods you wouldn’t ordinarily eat. Anything you can do to shake up the routine and make your staycation feel exotic will be special.
7. Travel With Friends
There are lots of benefits to traveling with friends and other families, especially if you have kids that are close in age. They’ll have more playmates to share their experience with, and you’ll have other adults to share yours with.
Traveling in numbers could also qualify you for group rates and discounts at popular tourist attractions all over the world. It’s a great way to experience all the must-see sights while keeping costs down.
8. Wait For a Deal
If you don’t have a specific destination in mind, there are lots of ways to secure cheap travel deals. Many airline sights offer last-minute deals on flights to locations all over the world.
Find a few sights that offer daily deals, and wait for one that seems like a good fit for your family. You have to be vigilant in tracking the deals, but you could end up saving significantly on an expensive vacation.
9. Take a Road Trip
Sometimes, cheap family vacations are more about the journey than they are the destination. You don’t have to end up anywhere to have an amazing trip.
A family road trip is a classic family summer vacation. Even if you aren’t traveling anywhere special, even if you just drive for the day and end up back at home, you can still make it an amazing experience. Pack road trip snacks, create a playlist, and play car games to make it memorable.
10. Visit Somewhere Off-Season
Ski towns and resorts can be expensive to visit in the winter. In the summer off-season, though, many of these places offer significant discounts in an effort to attract guests.
Visiting a ski resort in the summer might sound boring, but you could be surprised at how many outdoor activities there are to enjoy, and how much cheaper the experience will be.
Want More Family Vacation Ideas?
No matter where you go, if you and your family are together, you’ll be creating a special memory for your kids. These family vacation ideas are budget-friendly, but the experience will be far from cheap.
For more information about traveling with your whole family, contact us today.