5 Spring Break Travel Tips for Families

Now’s the time to start planning your family’s spring break getaway. Whether you’re planning for snow-filled slopes or warm, sandy sunsets, consider these spring break travel tips for extra savings, packing and more.

5. Know Where to Go

If you’re vacationing with kids, it’s important to keep everyone’s interest in mind when planning the perfect getaway. While you may be looking for a change of pace and a chance to rest and relax, your smaller travel companions are out for adventure, so it can be important to find a good balance between all parties involved. Taking a family cruise or staying at an all-inclusive resort can be a smart move because oftentimes both offer various activities for kids of different ages so they can do their own thing as well as family fun and relaxing options for adults. If you’re planning to take an adventure this spring that doesn’t involve heading to Austin for SXSW, then it’s critical to know what you want out of the adventure. Are you wanting to hit the big destinations? Maybe take the road less traveled? Or perhaps you’re looking to take the vacay to experience a new side of your own city?

4. Stick to Your Budget

If you’re planning on being the family that vacays the right way this year, you’ll want to make sure your money matches your ambition. You don’t have to break the back with every excursion, and spring break is one of the worst times to vacation big — once you get back, you could be looking at prom, graduation, extracurricular expenses and more. Take time to plan out your budget so you know what you’ve got to work with. If the vacation itself is more important than luxurious digs, consider opting for a more budget-friendly hotel with more built-in amenities like a pool and complimentary breakfast. These can save your family a ton of money for the week. Be sure to set aside additional funds for the inevitable impulse buys.

3. Take Advantage of Deals

Take advantage of the economic situation most of the travel industry has found itself in, and save some serious cash by finding the places that offer deep discounts for spring break travel. Do your Googles on the hotels and attractions in the destination your family is headed to and compare prices. In many cases, you can save money simply by booking in advance. And if you’ve got strong people skills, a phone call to discuss possible discounts could make all the difference. One of the best values you can take advantage of is getting Pogo Passes for the family. These work simple: A single Pogo Pass can offer you access to some of the top family attractions in a city, such as zoos, aquariums, and arcades for a fraction of the price.

2. Pack the essentials

Know where you’re going and start stocking the essentials early. Prices often rise on items like sunscreen — yes, your family needs sunscreen — swim diapers, and travel-size toiletries. You can save some money by finding out which toiletries your hotel offers, such as toothpaste and body lotion. These small savers can add up to equal more fun for you and the family. If you’re unsure what essentials to pack, check out our Family Packing List to see what you need in order to be ready for hitting the road.

1. Keep a Routine

Vacation may be the time to unwind, but it’s always a good idea to keep some sense of normalcy in the routine, especially when it comes to the kids. It’s alright to sleep in on some days, but plan to wake up earlier on the last day or two to start getting back into the habit. Bedtime can be prolonged, but don’t let them over do it. You don’t want to spend a lot of time getting them back into the swing of things once you get back. But, if you have enough fun during the day, bedtime won’t be much of a problem. Beyond that, make sure to keep them on any medication schedules they may be on and keep their eating times on a routine.

Bonus: Protect the Fort

It goes without saying, but everybody isn’t your friend. You may get tons of likes on social media, but somebody on your friends list is waiting for you to fail. Don’t let the whole world know that you and the family are away by posting a ton of vacation photos while you’re gone. Save the posting for once you get home — you should be living in the moment anyway. To help keep things safe at home, connect with a trusted friend and ask them to check on your home and collect any mail or packages that may be delivered while you’re away.