The current cost of living increases have forced everyone to tighten their belts more than a little – but at the same time, no one wants to disappoint their children by cancelling the annual holiday outright. Instead, people are switching to staycations rather than overseas trips, and for those of us lucky enough to own a campervan or have access to a motorhome, you can ensure that your children (and you!) have a wonderful break without irreparably crushing the family’s budget. Here are six budget holiday ideas for great getaways with happy kids in 2024.
Stay Close to Resorts
The keyword in that subtitle is ‘close’ – resort prices tend to be fairly high all year round, but they can be punishingly high in summer or during half-term breaks when the entire country’s schools are all on the look-out for a fun place to get away to. By staying close to these high-value areas, you will be close enough for easy day trips – but far away enough that your budget will survive the journey! Of course, this does mean that you might be reliant upon traffic being reasonable, or on there being a good provision of public transport – but a little research before you go will help you to find the perfect sweet spot that combines good access to holiday facilities with the lowest possible impact on your wallet!
Sleep In Your Campervan
If you are a campervan owner – no matter if you made it yourself from an old works van or bought one that someone else had already converted – then your biggest cost (accommodation) is already mostly waived, and this opens up your budget for so many more fun but budget holiday activities! Don’t forget to allow for campsite fees and ensure your insurance is up to date – check www.campervaninsurance.co.uk for more. Campervans might not be as spacious as motorhomes, but they are a cheap and cheerful alternative that can save you and your family a lot of cash as well as providing a familiar home away from home, which is a bonus with young children who can easily become overstimulated by too much change.
Photo by Alex Guillaume on Unsplash
Hit the Beach
Aim for destinations where you can have fun for very little or no money. Beaches are perfect for this: you can walk for miles along the beach, your little ones can collect seashells and sea glass, and the whole family can make glorious sandcastles for no money at all! Beach activities for kids are likely to be little or no cost. And for a modest investment you can enjoy ice creams at sunset, warm crab-pool frozen hands up with a fragrant bundle of fish and chips, or even enjoy a meal out at a seaside pub. Compare this to the cost of a fancy hotel, complete with room fees, expensive restaurant meals and portions – don’t forget to tip! And that’s not to mention stifling dress codes and the possibility that your children might become tired and stressed after a busy day and so much unfamiliarity… A cosy meal before returning to your known and loved campervan can seem like the best possible option after all!
Take a Hike!
Just as going to the beach can provide a fun-filled low-cost day out, so too can hiking. The UK is packed with walks for those of all abilities, from very young children and elderly people right up to more risky ventures aimed at the brave and technically skilled hiker-climber! Find an age appropriate walk, plot out a couple of likely looking places to stop along the way (not forgetting that young children will most likely need the loo every couple of hours as a minimum!) and then lace up your trainers and head out. Do make sure that someone knows where you’re going and what time you’ll be back – better safe than sorry – and don’t be tempted into trying climbs or walks that are beyond the skill-set of your youngest, weakest member.
Photo by R.D. Smith on Unsplash
Split the Costs
Another excellent idea for a budget holiday is to split the costs with a good friend or relative, preferably one that has children of about the same age as your children. If the children are already friends and get on well, so much the better! This way, you can afford to hire a spacious holiday cottage and you will be splitting the costs of food, drinks and occasional treats, which somehow always seems to work out cheaper than trying to pay for it all yourself!
Find the Freebies
Most local councils in the UK publish lists of free activities for children during holiday times and half-terms on their websites. These include things like acting or dance workshops, painting or drawing classes, day trips and education talks, amongst many others. Look for events that your children will like, and sign them up for as many as you feel they will enjoy, then sit back and know that while your children are making friends and fantastic memories, they are not doing so at the expense of your credit score! I hope these budget holiday ideas help!