How to Plan a Weekend Getaway With Kids

So you want to plan something fun for a weekend with your kids. Doing things together as a family is important, after all, the family that plays together, stays together!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A weekend
• A desire to have fun
• An idea of what to pack for your particular trip

1. 
    

   Make sure you have a budget in mind before figuring out what to do to getaway. Knowing what you have to spend is important. If you hate the thought of carrying around cash, why not try a prepaid card. This gives you the convenience of credit and debit cards without the worry of over-spending. If you need to getaway but don't have the cash up front, use your credit card, but try to pay it off as soon as possible.

2. 
    

   Plan your getaway around your family's interests. If the kids like to go swimming, try a hotel that offers an indoor water park. Most hotels offer free passes to hotel guests with a paid room. This works especially well in regions where it is the winter season and you cannot go swimming outside. Other options are the zoo, museums, amusement parks and camping.

3. 
    

   Plan on spending time together in a vehicle for awhile. Think of it as a time to "get to know" each other. Road trips can be fun. Play car games, like car bingo or eye spy. Pack enough healthy food and beverages for the trip. Put small portions of snacks in baggies for the kids. Keep a cooler in the vehicle, and place frozen water bottles in it to keep the food cold. As the ice in the bottles melts, you have cold drinking water as well.

Tips & Warnings

• To raise money for your trip, one idea is to have a garage sale.
• Pack all the essentials for your particular trip
• Keep a list of what you packed for easy referral
• Packing a meal not only saves you money but you know what you have and can pack healthy choices.
• The main reason kids get crabby is because they are either hungry or tired

Resources

• List of prepaid credit cards
• Healthy picnic recipes and tips
• Stay at hotels for free with Priority Club
• Free printable car games

[irussell]

on 3/11/2009 Good idea!

[goodselfme]

on 3/10/2009 Very good idea! thank you.

[healthymomof5]

on 3/9/2009 Great articles with really great ideas!5*

[kittykat3]

on 3/9/2009 These are great tips. Family trips can produce wonderful memories for years to come. 5*.

[chevee]

on 3/9/2009 These are great tips, my daughter is always planning outings with her kids (5)