It’s Summer! That means we are melting here in Florida, but it also means more time for family traveling. Our family has been fortunate enough to take make trips both for vacation and to see family in other states.
But there is no denying the fact that travel can be costly especially with a family. So over the years, my husband and I have learned a fe tips for traveling on a budget with family.
They are little things that make a big difference when added up!
1. Make a packing list and check it twice.
If you don’t take the time to make a list, it is very easy to forget something or run out of an item while on the road. When I went to Europe, I forgot to pack my memory card for my camera and ended up paying 3x the price at the airport. What’s worse is I already had one at home!
Forgetting my memory card taught me to always make a detailed list before traveling. I like to make a few lists about a week before packing: a list of clothes and accessories for each person, a list of food, and a list of things we need to pack the day we leave such as toiletries and phone chargers.
If it is at all possible, I start packing a few days before leaving too. That way I am less likely to forget things.
2. Use free car entertainment.
You don’t have to spend a bunch of money keeping you or your family entertained while driving. Here are some free things we do to stay entertained while traveling.
Get things from the library.
Visit the library before hitting the road. You can check out magazines, books, music, books on CD, and even DVD’s for portable DVD players. I like to keep all of the things from the library in one bag with the receipt so that I don’t loose track of any of the items while on the road.
Play games.
Do you know any fun car games? My husband and I get a little (okay a lot) competitive when it comes to road games!
Our favorite game to play is the “The License Plate Game”: Look for as many different states plates as you can find. The only plates that don’t count are the ones from the current state you are driving in. Each person calls out the state as they see them and keeps a tally for themselves. Decide on a winning number such as 20.
Some other favorites while growing up were The Alphabet Game, 20 Questions, and “I’m going on a trip…” Let me know of other road trip games you enjoy in the comments!
Have kids pack a backpack.
If you are going on a long road trip with kids, you’ll want to have things for them to do. Have each of your kids pack a small bag or backpack with toys and activities they can do while riding in the car.
3. Plan destination activities ahead of time.
Many museums, theme parks, and other tourists sites offer online discounts that have to be purchased a day or even up to a week in advance. Before leaving for your trip, look up places that you are sure to visit and find out if you can purchase tickets early to take advantage of any discounts.
You can also research free places to visit. Many towns offer free or low cost museums or outdoor attractions.
Another thing to check before you leave is the weather. Knowing the weather forecast means you are better prepared and less likely that you will have to make a run to the store to purchase items you need for the weather conditions such as umbrellas, jackets, or sunscreen.
4. Bring your own road trip snacks and drinks.
Buying drinks and snacks on the road gets really pricey. Avoid those crazy prices by bringing your own such as water bottles and juice boxes. Bring along a small cooler, fill with drinks, and pour ice over the drinks. This keeps them cool all day.
You can also bring healthy snacks for the road such as granola bars, fruit, crackers, and trail mix. They are easy to eat in the car and you are less likely to spend money on candy bars and other snacks at rest stops.
You can even make your own meals instead of eating out, if you are staying somewhere with a kitchen.
5. Limit souvenir shopping.
There will be souvenirs every where you go, and you will probably be tempted to purchase a lot of things you and your family don’t need. Set your expectation ahead of time and let your kids know what you are willing and not willing to purchase.
We set a price limit and allow our kids to pick one souvenir for the entire trip. They know this and we stick with what we said. Also, we only purchase things on our trips that we know we need or will use.
These are just some of our favorite ways to travel on a budget as a family. They help us have a good time without spending crazy amounts of money.
What other tips do you have for sticking to a budget on family trips?
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4 thoughts on “5 Tips for Traveling on a Budget with Family!”
Really good tips! I try to always pack our own snacks. It really can be a lifesaver with a toddler in the car! 🙂
Yes, toddlers need their snacks!