Five Family Friendly Vacations Ideas and How To Make Them Inexpensive

21310682395_c960re2.jpgDoes the cost of travel have you wondering whether or not you can afford to take your family on a vacation this year? Your much needed and well deserved vacation should be a priority in your life and we are providing ways to make your family vacation time more affordable and more enjoyable.

1. Kids and Cruises -Traveling by ship is a way for families to visit several places on one trip without constantly having to pack and unpack which is a big benefit for parents with young children. Additionally most cruise lines offer children’s programs and kids will love the freedom of life on board a cruise ship.

Way to save on cruising: Travel agents specializing in cruises and businesses that book blocks of cabins can offer quite a savings on rooms. Cruising prices are also dependent upon the season you choose to cruise. Look for off season specials or cruises that include airfare as part of the deal. Many of the cruise lines offer a kid sail free program.

2. All Inclusive Packages – Look for family friendly locations. Family package destinations will offer activities for both parents and children. Entertainment for everyone plus food, drink and activities are all in one place.

Ways to save on packages:  Mid week departure and arrivals will save you money on airfare. Also schedule your travels for off season.

3. Renting a House – Renting a house for your family vacation in the location you want to visit will provide the benefits of learning the local culture plus you get more for your vacation dollar. You can experience life with all its local flavors. If find out all the info about a location before the trip you will experience all the fun and excitement and not miss anything once you get there

Ways to save on rentals: The internet offers huge resources for finding a rental in the location you prefer. Local newspapers for the areas which are often published on line can help you find a great deal also. Look for coupons to save money on food and activities. It’s a great money-saving idea to split the cost of the house rental with another family whether it be family or friends.

4. Adventure Packages – Adventure vacations are designed to teach basic skills and how to respect the environment. Whether you choose white water rafting or hiking in the wilderness, your family’s safety will be a top priority with your nature guide. Most of the time all equipment is provided and often will include all meals for the day.

Ways to save on adventure trips: Book your trip with an adventure travel specialist. You will be sure to get the best price with the most features.

5. Camping Vacations – Outdoor vacations such as camping provide families ways to work together and play together. Campgrounds normally offer plenty of activities to keep children entertained. Camping can be either in a tent or many places even offer cabins. Additionally you can rent an RV to experience RV camping.

Ways to save on camping: Many national campground locations offer membership cards that offer benefits to its regular campers. Cooking your food at camp rather than eating out will help you save money.

Wherever you decide on the family vacation, whether it’s an airline ticket or a hotel room, never take the first price your quoted. Always attempt to negotiate for a better price. Ask about any available discounts.  Be a flexible traveler. If you’re willing to give up your seats on a flight for someone flying standby, you’ll be rewarded with free tickets. Set aside the dates you want to travel and then watch for last minute deals.  When on vacation skip the souvenirs and start a postcard or refrigerator magnet collection. If you plan properly you can be assured of your family having a fun and affordable family vacation.

Ten Fun Family Friendly Board Games

11310682463_entertainmentfirstnight.jpgWhat can be better than spending an evening around the table with your family? For me, not much! I love Family Game Night, which doesn’t happen nearly as often as I’d like it to, but my family tries to schedule at least one per month. It’s a treasured time of togetherness, reconnecting amidst our hectic schedules, as well as a whole lot of laughter and FUN!

Here is a list of fifteen family friendly games you’ll want to include in your Family Game Night.

1. SORRY. Have a blast chasing each other around the board, trying to get “home.” And no need to feel sorry for sending someone back to start. That’s the name of the game! Recommended for ages 6+

2. ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER? Aha! The perfect way for you to prove to your kids that you ARE just as smart as they are. You’ll love getting those questions right and they’ll love it when you mess up. Recommended for ages 8+

3. MONOPOLY. The world’s most popular board game sometimes also turns out to be the world’s longest. But this classic game is fun, entertaining, and educational. Tired of the original version? Try the Sponge Bob, Speed Die, or Disney version! Recommended for ages 8+

4. CRANIUM’S WHOONU. This game doesn’t actually come with a board but it’s one of my family’s favorites. Played with cards and chips, it gives family members a chance to see how well they know each other. Plus, each round only takes a few minutes so it’s a nice reprieve after an endless game of Monopoly. Recommended for ages 8+

5. CLUE. Okay you mystery lovers, this one’s for you! See if you can figure out who, where and how in this crime solver’s dream game. Also available as a DVD game and in a Junior edition. Recommended for ages 8+

6. A TO Z. This fast-paced word game was named as the 1997 best word game of the year by Games magazine. Race the clock and your opponents as you come up with as many words as you can for pre-selected categories. Recommended for ages 8+

7. SEQUENCE. The ultimate board game and card game, combined. Play with the cards in your hand to make sequences on the board. Super addicting and loads of fun. Recommended for ages 7+

8. YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING! Would you rather run across a hungry alligator’s back or underneath an angry elephant? These are the kinds of questions you’ll have to answer in the kids version of Zobmondo’s Would You Rather Game. This is a totally goofy game that will make you think and keep you laughing. Recommended for ages 7+

9. THE GAME OF LIFE. Take a test drive down your life’s road. Earn money, get married, and have kids along the way! Different versions, such as Sponge Bob and Pirates of the Caribbean are also available. Recommended for ages 9+

10. BEAT THE PARENTS. Pit the parents against the kids in this challenging trivia game. Who knows more about the others’ generation? Recommended for ages 8+

FUN is something every home can use more of and hopefully this list of games will help add some fun to your family. But no matter what games you end up playing, the important thing is that you’re spending time together. When you do, everybody wins!

Family friendly holiday destinations on the cards

01310682396_259732-pm.jpgWhen it comes to choosing the destination for your next family holiday you have to consider many things and these are the things that people have had to consider every time they book a family break. The first and most important thing to consider is what budget you have to spend as this will tell you what to look for. If you have a large family then your budget is going to be stretched and finding a cost effective deal is going to be vital. You first have two options; a holiday in the UK or abroad? This may largely come down to the cost and time frame which you have to work with as both are important.
If you only have a few days off from work whilst the kids are off school then maybe a UK holiday is going to be a better choice as it means less travelling and more time at the destination with the family. So, now you have chosen a UK destination you now need to decide where you fancy going and in the UK, there are many places that are great for all family holidays. This includes the picturesque countryside of the UK as well as the many great holiday parks that are available located in various destinations around the UK that mean accessing them is easy wherever you live.
These parks are certainly family friendly as they make sure that no matter what age your family has (grandparents and toddlers included) there is something for everyone. From the baby pool in the waterpark that is great fun to the entertainment on offer, you will have something to do whether you are looking for an all action holiday or just to kick back and relax, or probably both! With these kinds of deals available to all families, there are plenty of ways of relieving the stress of the modern world and unwinding with those closest to you.
The Easter break is coming up which provides every family with the perfect opportunity to get away and enjoy a great relaxing and enjoyable holiday together. The UK holiday parks have something for everyone and their great accommodation options on offer as well mean that you and your family can enjoy a great night sleep after a day packed with fun and excitement at a time where you most need it.
family holiday parks are great fun and you can make sure that you have the best possible weekend breaks there when you go online.