Inside: Can You Still Have A Good Time On A Budget Family Holiday? Yes!. Collaborative post.
Having a good time on a budget can be tricky, yes. But when you’re already used to budgeting for your family’s health and wealth, planning a holiday the same way will be second nature! But to make sure this is an easy ride for you, we’ve listed a few considerations below to keep in mind.
A budget holiday can still be super fun, especially when kids love spending time outdoors with nothing but their imagination!
Pack Your Own Toys
The more toys you take for the kids, the less you have to spend on whilst you’re there. And we don’t just mean the stuff out of their toybox – take bigger inflatable toys, or ones you can set up, that you can use outside too! Beach balls, a big chess set, swingball and the bats, a small cricket set etc.
Make sure they’re all packed in the back of the car and then use them during the quieter times when you’ve come home from a day out or when the weather isn’t all that great.
Stay Nearer the Country
The countryside is always a little bit cheaper. Rural areas and communities tend to keep prices low, even in popular tourist areas, and you can buy twice the amount from a shop compared to one in a city centre.
So throw out your accommodation ideas and see if you can find a place that’s surrounded by fields and hills and old castles; a place like the Black Swan in Helmsley would be a good fit, so look out for BnBs and Inns like this.
Visit the Beach as Often as Possible
The beach is always free! And there are usually some very affordable takeaway shops and ice cream stands around as well, so it won’t be hard to keep the kids hopped up on some sugar either. And as long as you’ve got something to provide shade, as well as something soft to lay on, you can have a good time too.
Scope out nearby attractions like penny arcades and bowling lanes – you can nip in there for some games when the sun is going down and then go home and nurse any sun burns you’ve picked up!
Avoid Paid Tickets
Finally, try to avoid as many paid attractions as you can. After all, ticket prices go up all the time, especially during peak periods like the summer holidays. But thankfully, there are usually a couple free places to visit for every entrance fee you can find.
Museums, galleries, outdoor shows; they’re everywhere these days! And never be afraid to try and score a discount either; family tickets can usually save you around 20%, but signing up for a membership can slash the cost in half. You can always cancel later, even if it’s a little bit inconvenient!
Plan Everything Important Beforehand
It’s important that you are also taking the time to plan every important little detail. This does not mean that you are coming up with a schedule that accounts for every single second of your time though, instead we mean the bigger things.
Ensure that you have thought about where you are going to stay and booked it accordingly. Look at the transport options available to you and work out which is going to be most convenient. If you need to store your luggage somewhere, then look into luggage storage in the area that you are staying in and so on. It’s important to be prepared so that there is no more stress than there needs to be!
A budget family holiday can be super fun, and you can make some great memories with a bit of creativity. If you need somewhere to start, use tips like these.