3 Affordable Family Vacation Ideas with Baby

Babies love being outdoors and you'll love seeing the excitement in their eyes as they investigate the glory of their surroundings. Exploring nature is also an excellent way to engage older siblings, especially with Junior Ranger badge activities available through the park service. 

Best of all, you can buy the annual pass and save a ton on multiple National Park visits. At least four days out of the year, all the National Parks offer free admission. Now that's budget friendly. Go ahead, #FindYourPark 

Discount Travel Clubs

One of the biggest costs when keeping a family vacation affordable with baby is grabbing great deals on lodging rates. Being a member of your favorite hotel chain's rewards program may offer discounted lodging rates. Sometimes, you can find lower rates through your AAA or wholesale club membership or by spending countless hours scouring the internet on different booking engines like Expedia, Hotwire or Priceline. 

Luckily, there's a better way to go easy on the budget when booking your lodging. GoJoinGo is a travel membership club which allows its members access to save money through incredibly discounted wholesale rates that can even seem too good to be true. But trust me, they're not.

Try GoJoinGO on a seven day free trial to see for yourself. They have access to special unpublished rates which aren't available to the public at over 800,000 hotels internationally. When you book just one night of travel, you'll most likely save more than your entire year's membership cost of $99. And, if you use the coupon code GO and the links on this post, you'll save an additional $25 on your annual discount travel membership. 

On a quick search for exactly the same rooms, dates, and occupancy near Zion National Park, I found the SAME hotels on GoJoinGo for up to 42% LESS! 

(low rates on GoJoinGo above)

(same hotel rates on Expedia, much higher)

Staycation in Your Own or Neighboring County 

One of the best ways to take an affordable family vacation with baby is to stay close to home. Not only will you save on airfare or road trip expenses, you'll gain a whole new appreciation for exploring in your own community.

When I advise families to take a staycation, I always mention checking into vacation rentals. We love renting quaint cottages or charming condos and feeling like we have a home away from home. This is an especially cost-effective way to travel with a baby, as preparing meals on vacation can be a big money saver.

Once you've located a couple vacation rentals close to home (maybe within an hour or two drive,) read all the reviews from other families. Then, reach out to the owner to ask any questions you may have.

Also, consider negotiating for a better price if it's a last minute booking. I know from being a vacation rental owner myself that I'd rather take a bit lower rate than have our property sit empty. 

Another way to make the most of a staycation is to contact the tourism board or convention and visitor's bureau for the appropriate county. Ask them for any local specials on attractions, and tell them you want to see your county in a new light, as if you were a tourist. The CVB is sure to direct you to the highlights of your area, possibly share some discount coupons, and you may even discover something new!

Travel with Baby Can Be Affordable

However you decide to head out with baby on vacation, it can be affordable. Most importantly, it will be memorable. And trust me, memories and grace are what will sustain every parenting moment ahead on your greatest adventure: family. 

Jen Reyneri

Renaissance Woman Jen Reyneri and her husband Luis often live life on the road with their two home-schooled sons. Popular author and speaker, Jen is founder of WordTraveling.com. Spirited and spirit filled, she savors life, poetic words, sabbaticals and strong coffee.

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