When you start trying to figure out where to go, what to do, and how to keep your oldest and youngest children entertained without dipping into your savings, you might find yourself wondering how your parents managed to pull it off.

Can you plan a frugal family trip for kids of all ages? Today, there are so many services geared towards budget travelers that it’s easier than ever before. Grab a map and start brainstorming - here’s how to plan an affordable family vacation that will be fun for everyone.

Think Outside the Box

You don’t have to take your children to a theme park or a tropical beach resort to have an amazing family vacation. Get creative and think about interesting destinations that could be cheaper.

Could you spend a few nights camping in a national park? Is there a nearby city with lots of great historical attractions and museums? Consider destinations where there will be attractions that appeal to the whole family and that’s easy to travel around with babies or toddlers. Once you’ve come up with a few options, talk to your older children about which places they’re most interested in. After getting input from your kids and your partner, you can make a final decision together.

Book Through Priceline

By booking your trip through a travel site like Priceline, you can save hundreds of dollars. This is one of the easiest ways to reduce the cost of your trip. Using Priceline is very convenient, because you can book your accommodations and transportation on one simple platform. Through Priceline, you can book your hotel rooms, flights, and even car rentals.

Want to get even bigger discounts? You can also look for priceline coupons and cashback deals to reduce your final prices. You’ll be amazed at how much money you can save if you spend a little time seeking out good deals and promo codes before you book. In addition, AirHelp recommends booking your flights about one to three months in advance if you’re flying domestically to get the lowest ticket prices.

Consider Off-Season Travel

According to Roam Right, there are lots of perks to off-season travel, like lower prices on plane tickets and hotels, as well as smaller crowds. This also means waiting in shorter lines for popular attractions. Whether your kids are toddlers or teenagers, they will appreciate the fact that they won’t have to spend hours waiting in line while on vacation!

Plenty of destinations are just much as fun in the off-season as they are during peak season. For example, instead of going to the mountains to ski during winter, you could plan a family hiking trip during the fall to see the autumnal foliage.

Pack the Essentials

Packing smart can definitely help you save on your trip. For example, stopping at fast food restaurants on a long drive or eating lunch at the airport before your flight can leave you with a bigger bill than you anticipated. Instead, pack plenty of healthy, filling snacks,like granola bars, dried fruit, cheese and crackers, or trail mix. If you have a nursing infant, be prepared to pump before you leave!

Make sure that all of your children have packed something to entertain themselves with. Buying books or toys at airport shops can be quite expensive. Let your younger children bring toys or stuffed animals that they find comforting. Older children might want to go to the library beforehand and bring along a couple of good books. For all other packing essentials that require shopping at stores, such as sunscreen and first aid supplies, you can once again use coupons and promo codes to make the purchases more affordable.

Today, there are countless options for budget travelers, including frugal families. No matter how old your kids are, you can find a budget-friendly destination that the whole family will love. And once your kids get a taste of adventure, they’ll be itching to go on another trip!

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Credit: Daniel Sherwin (DadSolo.com)