10 Ways to Save Money While on Vacation with Kids

For the past week and a half we've been away with our kids on a road trip to the east coast.  I wonder why we don't do this more often, then I tally up the costs associated with a vacation once were back and realize just how expensive it is.  That's why!

Now that we've been vacationing with the kids for years, we have some things down to a science.  This vacation in particular I feel like we've really aced some skills in money saving that I thought I'd share.

10 Ways to Save Money While on Vacation with Kids

Get a Hotel Room or AirBNB with a Kitchenette 

Or at least a fridge, microwave, and kettle.  This will allow you to make some of the meals while you're on the road from your room.  Even if you're just mixing up chocolate milk for an afternoon snack, it's going to be cheaper than buying individually packaged milk from the corner store.

BYOT or C

That stands for bring your own tea or coffee.  Trips to a local coffee shop add up, particularly when you have two little children demanding honey donuts and croissants.  This easily saved us $40 to $50.

Make the Kids Contribute

Molly and Jack were given some birthday money early from their grandparents to buy souvenirs on vacation.  We find that when it's their money they are a lot more choosey about how it's spent.  Like, when they both contributed $5 each to buy carrots to feed the deer at a wildlife reserve we knew they really wanted to.

Support Local Farmers

This is a fun way to explore where you're vacationing and to get fresh, healthy, good food for cheap.  We went to the Charlottetown Farmers' Market (open on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the summer) and picked up an amazing dinner and some fresh fruits and veggies for snacks, all for under $25.

Book a Room That Includes Breakfast

If there is a nominal difference in cost and breakfast is included, book there.  This will give you a good start to your day, in what's already the sunk cost of your accommodation.  We only managed this once on this particular vacation, but every bit helps.

Look for Deals

More and more companies charge more for 'at the gate' purchases of admission.  If you know you're going somewhere, check online for coupons, discounts for buying online advance, or even have a flexible Groupon or Living Social price that is somewhat flexible on when you can use it.  For the most part it's only $5 to $10 here and there, but when you're paying for a family of four it adds up very quickly.  We found out that kids get in free in National and Provincial parks this summer, so made sure we included those destinations on our itinerary.

The Best Things in Life are Free

Visiting 'the world's biggest' whatever is a fun, and often free, way to break up the monotony of a long driving day.  Local parks have playgrounds that let the kids wear off excess energy at zero cost.

Bring Your Gift Cards for the Journey

We often ask for experiences over things for gifts, and this means we often have passes for movie theatres and gift cards for chain restaurants at our disposal.  Bring these along on vacation.  If you hit some rainy weather an afternoon at the movies is the perfect escape.

Snack Before Supper

My kids are pretty good eaters, but we've found for the most part it's best to feed them a simple dinner (think hot dogs, sandwiches, fresh veggies etc.) before we go out and then we simply order them an appetizer to split, and if they're still hungry let them eat off of our plates. This way there is less wasted food, and less expense on food that for the most part they're lukewarm about.

Domo was a part of a lot of our vacation photos this year.  A game that Jack loved.

Bring Your Own Entertainment

Print out colouring sheets, bring some cards and board games, or a portable DVD player or tablet to avoid spending on a hotel movie.  When you're out make up a scavenger hunt or go geocaching, cause it's free.  Going to the beach?  Bring your own buckets and shovels, and maybe even a kite to fly. Remember what they're going to remember most of all is the time they got to spend with you.


Have other travel money saving tips?  Let me know!