Cheap Vacation Ideas

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
Cheap Vacation Ideas
15
Wed, 06-17-2009 - 1:17pm

We just found out that friends of ours are going to let us use their Lake "camp/house" up in Maine for the 3rd week in July. It's right on a lake and she says the beach is fabulous for kids because it's not too deep. We've never really been on a vacation like this before. They have a kitchen and a bathroom, but I'm not sure how extensive either one is. They have a grill for food and we'll be able to make fires. We're basically 'cityfolk', but our kids are so excited.

Our basic plan is to spend our days by the lake, maybe do some kayaking, and grill food. The only thing I really would like to spend some money on is a life jacket for the baby (the kids already have some) a tent and some sleeping bags so the kids can experience sleeping outside a few nights. I can get a great one at Target for 80 dollars and the sleeping bags are only 20 dollars.

I don't want to spend a ton of money on this trip, but I will probably have the tendency to think "Oh, we need this..we need this..." and go crazy! What are some fun things we can do with little to no money while semi-camping?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2008
Wed, 06-17-2009 - 1:31pm

Oh, you will have a great time!




iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-1998
Wed, 06-17-2009 - 2:00pm

Not sure how old your children are, but my kids used to like to go bug hunting (read frogs, salamanders, cocoons etc) so we would take along some clear plastic mayo jars that will fit a canning jar ring so you can put a piece of cloth over the top.
Fishing can be an inexpensive thing you only need some fishing line, a stick to tie it to, and an inexpensive hook. Check first to see if they need a license though, most places kids under 16 don't need one. If you have one pack a bird/wildlife book and they can try to figure out what types of birds and critters are there.
Pack an old pot that you can use to pop popcorn over the fire for a campfire snack.

Sharon





iVillage Member
Registered: 11-14-2008
Wed, 06-17-2009 - 3:53pm

The kids will have fun with the fire, but tell them they have to work for it gathering kindling and that will keep them entertained for part of each day. Make sure to pack a deck of cards in case it rains. They might have fun collecting funky rocks and shells etc?


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
Wed, 06-17-2009 - 5:51pm

Abbie I have a tent you can borrow if you're not too far

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-29-2008
Wed, 06-17-2009 - 7:37pm

Abbe,


Stacy made a very nice offer.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
Wed, 06-17-2009 - 8:56pm

Where do you guys live? That would be great if we could coordinate it. Let me see if any of our friends or family have a tent...I'll let you know

 
Abbie

 




Edited 6/17/2009 8:57 pm ET by abigailnh2
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
Wed, 06-17-2009 - 10:25pm
Great Ideas! My kids will love that! We actually have a bug catcher machine. It sucks in the bugs and the kids can view them with a magnifying glass, but they would love to keep them in a jar for a few hours. And I'll have to see if I can find a wildlife book.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
Wed, 06-17-2009 - 10:26pm
I'm getting so many good ideas!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2006
Wed, 06-17-2009 - 11:33pm

I would also suggest maybe you post on FreeCycle for the baby life jacket. I bet someone has one around that they aren't using, even if you just borrow it.

Peg

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
Thu, 06-18-2009 - 7:28am

Hi.


We are in Nashua.

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