Family vacations are where memories are made for your children that are often cherished and relived throughout their lives. But taking a large family to a theme park or on a cruise ship can cost tens of thousands of dollars, something that is just not possible for most families to afford each year. If you would like to begin an annual vacation tradition that your children will love without wiping out your savings, these frugal tips can help you succeed.
Choose an off-season vacation time
Timing should be the first consideration when attempting to reduce the overall cost of a family vacation. Families who can take advantage of off-peak times to schedule their vacation may be able to enjoy off-season discounts on travel, accommodations, and even meals and entertainment. To determine if taking an off-season vacation could work for your family, start by checking and comparing school and work schedules months before you want to go on vacation to see what opportunities exist. In some cases, opting to take a few long weekend outings may be easier to coordinate than trying to find a full week when the entire family can take off work or school.
Select a convenient area with good potential for inexpensive activities
Once you have selected a time frame for your vacation, it will be time to choose a vacation destination. For some families, going to the same place each year adds additional fun to the family vacation, while others may prefer to explore a new area each year. As you work to narrow down your choices, keep the vacation budget in mind and look for one that offers a wide variety of free or low-cost activities your family enjoys.
For instance, a family that loves being outdoors may want to choose a destination with access to woods for hiking and lakes or seashores for swimming and boating. Others may enjoy spending their time exploring a town or city with cultural or historical interests or visiting local museums and galleries. No matter what destination is ultimately chosen, researching beforehand to discover activities that can be enjoyed at little cost will prevent vacation boredom and help to avoid temptation to take part in more expensive entertainment options.
Select accommodations with group rates
Another excellent way for families to save money and still have a wonderful annual vacation experience is to avoid motels and opt for vacation rentals with group rates, instead. In addition to being less expensive than renting several motel rooms, family vacation rentals often include some type of kitchen facilities so that frugal families can prepare and enjoy meals as a group without relying on more costly restaurant fare.
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