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Amazing Mini Vacations for Any Family on a Budget

Summer is a great time to get the family together and enjoy a nice vacation to help refresh for the rest of the year. For many, a vacation isn’t always possible due to work responsibilities, busy schedules and budgeting. One way to avoid skipping the summer vacation altogether is to prepare a mini vacation for your family. You can easily escape for a weekend or even one night just to refresh the family and enjoy one another’s company. If budgeting your mini vacation has you feeling uneasy you will love these ten mini vacation ideas that will make your family leap with joy. So, pack lightly and spend some time taking in a new environment without worrying about the money flow. After one of these mini vacations you will be ready to plan your next getaway without worrying about the financial aspect of your break from the world.
mini-trips-to-save-money
1. Summer Conventions
A great trip for the entire family would be a summer convention. There are a ton of comic, book, pop culture and other conventions that take place during the months your kids will be on summer break. These conventions usually don’t cost a lot for tickets and if you buy the packaged deal you will get three days worth of convention time for the price of 1 1/2 which is an amazing deal. If you have a convention in your area then you’re already set to save a lot of money. Bring snacks to get the kids through the day or go home for lunch and dinner. This will allow you to spend less money while at the convention and will still allow you to enjoy most of the shows, booths and games. You may even get to take a picture with some of your favorite stars, which is always fun. The convention may not force you to leave your hometown, but you’ll still get a taste of a new world while you’re there!

2. State Park
If you’re looking for a great way to teach the kids about the world around them or just a method to get closer to nature than a state park is the way to go. If you don’t have a state park near you then try a state monument. A lot of the time these parks won’t charge you admission unless you plan on camping on the grounds, but you may want to research before you commit to the trip. State parks are usually a great trip for families and will give the kids some time to get fresh air and exercise thanks to the temptation of technology being gone. Monuments also tend to be free for all and offer a lot of lessons that kids may never get in school. Try to come up with a few activities before you head out to your mini vacation destination. A scavenger hunt is usually a great idea for younger kids. If you aren’t allowed to remove things from the park then pick up disposable cameras and let the kids take pictures of each item.

3. Be a tourist
Being near a city is a whole lot of fun; however, most of the amazing factors of the city get overlooked as we tend to only see the area as a work space. A great mini vacation for the whole family is to rediscover a city you live in or near. Head downtown, but avoid your work space! Instead, check out the restaurants, museums and other attractions that real tourists get to see in your city. Don’t be afraid to take a camera, walk slow and enjoy the sights as if it were the first time in your own city. If you live in the suburbs this could be a great time to show your family where you spend all of your time. You may even catch yourself doing a little research about where to hang out while you’re in the city, which could be a great way to find the most relaxing aspects of the area.

4. Water Park
Keeping cool in the summer isn’t always an easy task. One way to get some fun in while staying cool is to check out a water park. The closer the park the better as it means you won’t have to spend as much money on travel expenses. When you find the park you’d like to go to try to see if your qualify for any discount or look for coupons to help lower the price of your entrance fee. Water parks do tend to cost less than a regular amusement park and usually have enough entertainment to keep the entire family busy all day. Remember to take breaks while at the park as sun exhaustion could have your family leaving before you get your money’s worth. If the stamp allows you to leave the park and return then you might want to consider leaving a packed lunch in a cooler in the car so you won’t have to pay for park priced foods. You may also want to try to get to the park early and stay until closing so you get to enjoy some of the rides when there is a lot less people in the lines.

5. Beach/Lake/River Trip
Another way to cool down is to take a trip to your local body of water. Try to stay as close to home as possible unless you plan on camping on your trip. Spending time on the water is a great way to work on your tan, cool down and spend time with the whole family. There’s also a whole lot you can do on the water that doesn’t take a whole lot of extra money. Swimming tends to be free in any body of water and is usually a favorite amongst most families. You may also consider fishing in designated areas. Make sure to check on fishing license requirements in order to avoid any tickets. Usually, there are areas that you can rent items like boogie boards and tubes that can add to your fun. Of course, if you already have these items it will save you even more money! Try packing lighter foods or foods that are easy to fix in a hurry without lots of equipment. These trips are great for one day outings or can be cheaply spanned into a weekend getaway.

6. Themed Night
Although it might be difficult to travel the world on a tight budget, short notice and no vacation time, it is possible to pretend to travel the world in only one day! Have your family pick a theme based on where they would like to travel. For instance, you can have an Japanese or French night. Once decided, take to the internet to research all of the places you can visit in your local are based on this theme. Many places will have restaurants, museums and sometimes even movie theaters to check out. If you’re really luck your city might have an entire district based around this theme. Try to plan out the entire day around the theme so everyone can pretend they’re taking in sights from the area. You may even decide to switch up your transportation method to the same type you would use if visiting this country. If you have trouble finding things to do in your area then improvise. You may have to rent a movie or make your own meal instead, but no matter what you decide it will be a lot of fun to help the kids pretend they’re traveling abroad.

7. Visit Family
If you want to travel a bit further then visiting family might be the best way to unwind from your busy schedule. Reuniting with some family can get you out of your environment without forcing you to spend a fortune on hotel and restaurant costs while you’re out of town. Usually, spending time with family means hanging out and relaxing with those you love but don’t get to see often, which will help you save money. It can also show you a new town which will help you feel a lot fresher when you return your own area. Family time is important for growing children and will allow your family to understand where you came from while growing close bonds to relatives who will help become a support system for years to come.

8. Camping
Taking some time out to hang out in Mother Nature is a great way to bond while teaching your family some important survival skills. If you can find a free campsite you’ll be all set for a money saving weekend that will relax you and satisfy your need for a vacation. Camping is usually a lot cheaper if you already own the equipment, but if not you can always ask around to see if you can borrow important items from friends and family. When you do pick a campsite try to find one that gives you access to hiking trails, fishing holes and safe places to swim and have fun. Of course, you also want to find locations that are closer to you so you won’t have to spend what little time you have on the wide open road. Once you find your camp grounds, teach the kids how to pitch a tent, find edible berries and fish. You may also want to pack snack foods, bottled water and other food in case your fishing adventures don’t pan out.

9. Group Courses
One of the most fun aspects about being a family is learning together. As the kids grow older this a lot easier to do. Instead of spending time on a big vacation try to find some family courses in your area. Things like surf lessons, horseback riding and crafts are usually great for families with older children. If you’re a little thrown back by the cost then you might want to consider looking at groupons. Even if you don’t have an idea of what you want to do the groupon page for your area might lead you to consider some amazing activities. Once you try out your first family lesson you might be hooked on these activities, which will give your family something to do on weekends or whenever anyone can get together to share some excellent learning adventures.

10. Hotel
Sometimes we just need a break from the house and all of the responsibilities of everyday life. If you just want a simple and fast vacation then check yourself into a hotel. It can be in your own town or one nearby as the price generally won’t change much. Once in the hotel just take some time for yourself and the family. Let the kids hang out in the pool while you enjoy the hot tub or spa area of the hotel. You may even want to get in a workout while you can use the free facility. Try to take a walk and check out places around the area. You never know what kind of activities or restaurants you may find in the small area surrounding the hotel. Try not to get in your car or access your phone while you’re in the hotel, instead spend as much time you can enjoying yourself and your family. You may consider renting some movies or pay per view in the room at night to finish off your day away from the stresses of the world. No matter what you do, the cool air, refreshing pool and stress free zone will help you rejuvenate for the week.

Mini vacations don’t have to force you to leave your own town or even spend a lot of money. With these ten mini vacations you’ll be able to find the relaxation you need to finish up the summer and move into the fast moving holiday months. Remember to breathe and enjoy the extra savings!

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