Spring Break is quickly coming up on us. Last year we went to Sea World San Antonio, and had a BLAST! We were able to do it cheap and with 9 people that isn’t always easy!
I wanted to give you some ideas of things that we have done in the past to still be able to take the kids somewhere and not spend a lot of money.
Camping. We have camped a LOT in our marriage with our kids. It is a TON of work for me before and after but it is fairly inexpensive and really a lot of fun for the kids and yes, even me once we are there. Reserve America is where we make our reservations normally. If you are interested I could write up a post on how I pack and what food we make?
Visiting Relatives. Yuck I know, that can be scary! But it is so good for the kids to see family that is far away. Plus, if you are able to stay with them you save the big expense of where to sleep at night. We have family that will even let all 9 of us stay with them! I always bring sleeping bags so the little kids can sleep on the floor, Paul and I have often done that as well. There are so many things that you can busy kids doing during the day that you dont have to be trapped in the house with “Uncle Bert” all day. Take them to the local parks that they have not seen before, new museums, walk around the old part of town. Kids don’t have to know that you are not spending a lot on vacation, they just want to see new things.
Staycations. We have done this a few times and the kids LOVE it. We make up a plan of things we want to do in our own city that we are always too busy for. Then we plan each day as if we are out of town with no distractions and spend the day as a family. We go to parks that are “in town” or down to the beach, or see historical sites that we had no idea about. Just google “things to do in….” and make a list of places you are interested in. We have also gotten a great deal on a hotel room only 40 minutes from our house ( make sure it has a pool!) and spent the night there and did a few things during the day and came home. It didn’t cost a lot, but the kids felt like they had a vacation because sleeping in a hotel “is soooo cool!” Plus, they got to swim in the pool all night!
What are you doing for Spring break? Have you done any frugal trips before?
Part comedian, part Dad, part athlete. He will boss around your children while they play ball.
Just as angelic as she looks, this girl could easily raise a Village by herself, and all the children would grow up to be President.
Self proclaimed, she would be a webkinz dog. Because, "they're cute, and puppies are too. And they're sweet and they always get along with other puppies."
This mini-Martha Stewart can handle ANY craft you send her way. She isn't all bows and rainbows, she's got karate kid moves!
Not "Pick-Me-Up" like caffeine, she wants you to pick her up! AND NOW!
Anything that can be destroyed WILL be destroyed!
Practically Perfect in Every Way for now! Nicknamed "The Panda" she is rolly polly and lives by the motto, "the little one, is KING!"
The resident Labradoodle, Miller got his name because Mom won and got to name the baby! Need something chewed up? He'll take care of it. Especially if it's expensive..
We are coming to San Antonio for Spring Break from Washington State!
We do quite a bit of camping ourselves (albeit there’s only 4 of us!), and I always manage to forget something, no matter how many list I make ahead of time. We do own a camper, which makes some of it a little easier, but I find it can still be difficult to plan for meals that my whole family will eat. So I would love to hear how you prep for camping…
I would love to read all about what and how you pack for camping. I think that it is a TON of prep work, too, but worth it for the memories, especially on a budget. Any tips I could learn from you, I am sure they would be great! Thanks so much for such a great site!
Tiffany,
I would love to see some of your packing tips and recipe ideas, always looking for new ideas and tips! Thanks
I’d love to see a post on your camping trips. We camp/fish a lot so helpful tips would be great.
I love this post and love your website. It has a lot of great ideas besides couponing to help you live better on a budget. If you have a chance I would love information on camping with kids and how to get prepared. Thanks so much for all you do. Melissa
If you have a chance to write more on the camping tips that would be awesome. I love your site, it helps so much, I love that it covers more than couponing, it is very inspirational I have a family of 5 so yours is almost double mine, and you make it seem so easy.
We are traveling to Kansas City for Spring Break. Got a great deal on a motel for booking 14+ days in advance.(Had to pay in advance and no refunds on this deal–better not be any spring snow storms to keep me away!) And KC has lots of free stuff–Hallmark visitors center, museum of contemporary art, Boulevard Brewing Co., Federal Reserve Bank, Harley Davidson Factory, and tons more. And with all the freebies, we’ll be able to splurge on the Titanic exhibit that will be in town! My daughter will be home from college; haven’t seen her since Christmas; can’t wait!
Yes! A post on camping! Please! We are campers, and could always use some new ideas, recipes, and money-savers! Thanks!
hey tiffany!!love your site!!i too have a litter(7 children)so for our spring break i am going to do the staycation!!we live in missouri(moved here from long island NY just 3 years ago)so we are going to check out some places around home we havent seen yet!!i love when the kids dont have school, so we will have fun!!
We are doing San Antonio in April- does Sea World really need three days? We were only planning one… but planning on the shows mostly and not so much the rides, etc since my kids are so little. Any advice? Maybe two days…
We do 2 days if we have not been in a while. But you can really see everything in 1 if you are there all day. In the summer when the water park is open I would do 2.
I would also love to read about your camping tips. Packing for the kids and food and all! We have 3 kids (6, 4, and 1) and have only camped all together once (before #3 was born). I’ve never camped with a baby. How do you get any sleep? Or don’t you? 😉 I’d love some tips especially for camping with babies, if you don’t mind. =) Thanks!