Let’s face it, vacationing can be as tough as nails with kids. Between the extra expenses and having to find special activities that are not only safe but fun, you may find that your planning session is frustrating and leads to a whole lot of expenses. Luckily, there’s a few great ways you can have the time of your life with your children that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. These ten ideas should help you find a vacation or two to help the whole family kick back and relax, so you can bond and take your minds off the daily grind. Better yet, you’ll be able to save some money without sacrificing your fun time.
1. Working Farm
One of the latest vacation trends is actually heading to a ranch or working farm to help you relax. Although it may not sound like a vacation, you may find the slow-paced life of the farm a lot easier on you than the hustle and bustle of the city. Even if it isn’t the break you’re looking for, you will be able to work in all new ways, which will allow you to learn new skills and take a break from your typical job. Not to mention, the farm life will be great for the kids. It will give them the opportunity to learn where food comes from, which could improve their nutrition in the future. Not to mention, working together will help the family bond, which may even help the family get in the routine of doing chores together when you return home.
2. Cruise
Although it may seem a bit expensive, booking a cruise for the family will give you a bit more for your money if you’re planning on a big vacation. The cruise will allow the whole family to have a blast with activities catered to each age group as well as the family unit. When you go on your cruise you’ll be able to schedule everything you’d like to do and most things won’t cost any extra money. You will also get a room included in the price of the cruise so you won’t have to stress out about hotel prices. Of course, one of the best things about the cruise is they often allow you to see foreign countries that you may never get the chance to. Of course, some are also catered to amusement parks, like Disney World, which will be a real blast for the kids. Before you know it, everyone will be able to have the time of their life for one flat price.
3. National Park
If the family loves to run around and be close to Mother Nature, then nothing is better than a trip to the National Park. Most national parks have some kind of attraction that will not only have you wowed over the beauty and power of the Earth, but will also teach the kids a bit more about science and the environment. A lot of national parks are also campsites, which will come in handy when it comes to sleeping reservations and allowing the family to have some peaceful time in the park for much longer. You will have to look at specific rules for fishing or bringing food into the camp, but as long as you abide by the rules you should be ready to go. Apart from that, most national parks do have free admission days, which may be the perfect time to plan your vacation. If not, the price usually isn’t bad and most children get into the parks for free.
4. The Lake
Nothing says cooling down quite like time spent at the lake. The lake will allow you to kick back and relax while swimming, finishing or simply hanging out and shooting the breeze. The best thing about lakes is they usually don’t cost anything, which is pretty important if you’re on a budget. Your entertainment will be all set for you and if you end up fishing you may not even have to buy food. Some lakes will allow you to pitch a tent or park an RV too, which will help cut down on the price of boarding. If you do want to stay somewhere, try to share a rental cabin with someone to cut down on the price and get more out of your amazing experience. With most everything taken care of, all you’ll need to do is grab some food, beverages and floating toys to make the vacation go smoothly. Also, planning out activities will cut back on down time, so no one can complain about being bored.
5. Amusement Parks
When it comes to children, nothing will bring on the fun quite like an amusement park. These awesome hot spots are usually great for the entire family as they have large rollercoasters for the older kids and a fun play area for the younger kids. When you tire of roller coasters, there tends to be lots of games and shows to keep everyone happy. These are the perfect places to enjoy if you only have a day to spend on the vacation too. Sometimes admission prices aren’t exactly the best, but there are discounts around every corner if you know what to look for. Not to mention, packing meals and leaving them in the car can help you save even more money when it comes to this trip. If you’re not liking the price of the amusement park, then try to check out a water park instead. These parks generally cost a bit less and will allow everyone to stay cool throughout the day. You may even look for a season pass, which can help you save money if you plan on visiting a park for the entire summer.
6. The City
If you live in the suburbs or a rural town, then you might want to spend some time in a city for your vacation. Of course, this idea also works if you already live in a city and want to check out what another city has to offer. Try to find free things to do while you’re there. For instance, you may be able to find free admission to a museum or you could simply check out a local park. Before you leave for your destination try to check out the attractions and make reservations for what is in your budget. When choosing a hotel, look for a package deal or find a hotel that is outside of the city. This should cut down on the cost of the hotel and may even place you in a safer area. While you’re there, try to utilize public transit too as it will help save on parking fees and the costs of taxies. You should also look around on apps like Yelp to find cheap food that will be a new experience for everyone.
7. Family Camps
Rather than sending the kids away for summer camp on their own, you may want to consider going to a family camp together. This will allow you all to bond as a family, while allowing everyone to get outside and have some fun that doesn’t involve technology. There’s lots of amazing camps to consider too, so you can base it on your needs as well as your interests. Usually these camps take a lot less time than a typical summer camp, which will help you get back to work while giving your child the experience they want. Also, many of these camps focus on family bonding, which may be a good idea if you have preteens or teens. Make sure you do lots of research before you choose your camp though!
8. Zoo
Most younger kids will go crazy for the zoo when it comes to celebrating a little vacation time. The good thing is, most zoos are perfect for all ages, thanks to the educational components that the zoo offers. If you have a zoo nearby, look around to see if there’s any discounts you can enjoy while you’re there. Many will offer discounts to military service members and some will even let kids in for free. You may also want to see if the zoo offers any features, such as classes or tours that could help bring even more excitement to the vacation. If you think it’s too hot for the zoo, then look around to see if there’s a drive through zoo. These safari-inspired zoos will allow you stay in your cool car while still enjoying a wide variety of animals. You should also be able to bring your own snacks and drinks too, which will save a whole lot of money in the long run.
9. Kid Friendly Resorts
Resorts aren’t just for adults, so you may consider planning a trip to a family resort, so everyone can get pampered and have a lot of fun. Most of these resorts are designed to offer individual, age-based activities as well as a variety of family bonding periods. This can really help the family get the vacation they deserve. The resort tends to have day care facilities for the youngest members of the family, but they also have many activities for kids as young as toddlers, so everyone should be stimulated. While the kids are off doing their thing, you can enjoy a massage or other pampering as well as physical activities or crafts. There’s many resorts to choose from too, so you can easily find one that is going to make everyone happy.
10. Grandparents
If you really want to make the whole family happy then it may be wise to head out and visit the grandparents. Kids will adore seeing their grandparents again and you won’t have to worry about paying a lot of extra expenditures. Whether you fly or drive, your trip expenditures should be at a minimum, especially if you stay with the grandparents. This should make the trip a lot less stressful and will give everyone time to catch up. The kids may even want to spend the summer with grandparents, which will help keep them occupied, while allowing everyone to get in the bonding time they want. Of course, you may want to make sure you visit both sets of grandparents in order to make sure every side of the family is happy.
Choosing a family vacation can be tough, but with these ten options you may find that hanging out with your family doesn’t have to be a huge expense. With a little planning, you’ll be well on your way to the vacation you need and want without having to stress about the money. So, don’t let planning your vacation become a cause for stress too, because these hassle free vacations will put you on the right track to fun.
