Planning your family's vacation can be an overwhelming experience. From choosing a destination and booking accommodations to saving enough money to ensure you and your family have a memorable experience, the challenges of planning are easy to see. If you have a larger family, these challenges can become even more stressful. An estimated 28 percent of mothers have more than 3 children today, so larger families are becoming more and more common. Traveling with a large family may seem impossible, but these tips can help you plan an affordable, relaxing, and fun vacation at the beach.
Skip Cramped Hotels
One of the most common misconceptions people have is that hotel rooms are the least expensive option for a vacation. Thankfully, that is not true.
Larger families can avoid staying in cramped hotel rooms to save money because most cities offer condo rentals at affordable prices. You can choose from a large condo that has multiple bedrooms or rent two smaller condos that are situated right next to one another.
Booking an oceanfront or ocean-side condo is also a great option, since you will have amazing views and quick access to the beach. However, these are a bit more expensive, so you will need to weigh out the pros and cons. Condo vacation rentals a street or two off of the beach will be less expensive. You may not have a view, but easy access to the beach will still be possible.
Shop for Groceries
Your condo will most likely have a kitchen and dining area, which will be perfect for your larger family. When you first arrive to your destination, visit the local grocery store to stock up on essentials.
A carton of eggs and some bacon or sausage, bread, deli meats, cheese, cookies, apples, bananas, celery, carrots, chips, coffee, bottled water, juice boxes, and soda are great items to stock up on. You and your family can prepare quick meals for breakfast and lunch while also having foods for snacks throughout your trip.
It is your vacation, so you should be able to splurge and enjoy yourself, but you do not have to eat out for every meal. This would become very expensive for your large family. Consider picking one restaurant each day to enjoy at dinnertime. This will allow you to relax and unwind while having a nice meal each night of your vacation.
You should also stop at local rest areas and welcome centers to pick up free coupon books. These books not only have advertisements and contact information on your destination's restaurants and tourist sites, but they will also have coupons that can be used to save a good amount of money during your vacation.
One Thing a Day
When visiting a new place, you may become overwhelmed by the different things to see and do with your family. Unfortunately, many of these things will not be free, which can increase the cost of vacationing with a large family. By picking one thing to do each day, you can your family will be able to enjoy the vacation in a more affordable manner.
When you arrive, use the coupon books to search through the different sites and attractions that will appeal to you and your family members. Check travel websites for reviews to ensure you do not waste money on certain attractions.
You did travel to the beach for a reason, so make sure to spend large portions of your day at the beach or by the pool. This is a free way for you to relax while your children have fun and make memories.
Even though you are traveling with your large family, you can enjoy an affordable and memorable vacation.
Share
