Studies have found that spending quality time together gives families the opportunity to be present with each other and strengthen relationship bonds. Family vacations are a great way to take a break from day-to-day responsibilities, explore other cultures, and create life-time memories. Vacations are an excellent form of self-care for the entire family!
It’s probably no surprise to anyone that many families are struggling to maintain the same standard of living they had before the pandemic. Personally, I was more than disappointed when I realized that my husband and I could only afford to budget $700 toward a family vacation this year. (Last time I checked Disneyland was waaaaay more than $700 for a family of five. Let’s have a moment of silence for this year’s canceled Disneyland trip…it’s okay. I’m okay.) Then the problem-solver in me thought, “what can we plan to do that feels like a vacation but for much less money?” [Cue angelic music] A family field trip!
As I’m sure you’ve figured out by now, family field trips are much like traditional field trips – opportunities to experience new places and rediscover familiar ones. These mini-adventures can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Here are 5 tips for planning your first family field trip.
- Set a Budget
As with any well-planned trip, deciding on a comfortable budget can help you enjoy your adventure guilt-free. You can choose a master budget to include several field trips or splurge on an epic staycation. (Tip #3 is a great way to plan trips for free!) - Have a Family Brainstorming Session
If your kids are old enough to get excited about a family trip, they most likely have some great ideas of where they’d like to go. Use this time to generate a list of places, activities, or themed days they’d be interested in. Here are a few examples from my brainstorming session to get you started:- Plan some healthy competition at an arcade
- Discover a local tourist attraction and plan to stay the night at a nearby hotel (i.e. Legoland, Medieval Times, etc)
- Have lunch at a local beach
- Go thrifting at a flea market
- Check Out Community Events
Many communities have events planned for families that are often low-cost or even free! Try your local library, your city’s website/paper, faith-based organizations, and festivals to check for fun events. - Set the Mood
Make the day extra special just like you would any other vacation. Plan so you can splurge on food and souvenirs. Don’t forget to take pictures to remember what a fun time you had. - Venture Out!
Don’t be afraid to explore nearby cities or rediscover local attractions. Remember many tourists travel to your city for their vacations! You have the advantage of living close by, so you won’t need to spend money on expensive travel costs 😊. You can turn almost any idea into a small vacation so be open-minded. - Pro Tip
If you have little ones, make your field trip a learning experience by reading complementary books about the places you’ll go. Planning a trip to an aquarium? Visit your local library and grab a book about the many types of fish you might see.
A family field trip cannot only generate a lot of memories, but can be a time to connect and be present with your family.
Telisa Fears
Marriage and Family Therapist Intern
