Family Weekend Vacation Ideas

Vacations are an important part of life. UT Southwestern Medical Center psychologist Dr. Ann Maddrey claims that vacations are necessary to help clear the mind and rejuvenate the body by breaking out of the regular routine. However, with a family, it is not always easy to coordinate more than a short weekend break. That should not mean all vacations need to go on the back burner. These family weekend vacation ideas are attainable for any busy family.

Don’t Beat the Heat Join It Instead of escaping from the sun, go to the desert! You’d be surprised at the great deals and fun you can have during the summer in places like Palm Springs. La Quinta is a beautiful getaway and with amazing rates in the summer months - you can’t beat it. The place has 41 pools! Each little cluster of rooms (casitas) has its own small pool.

Great for young kids because you can literally leave your hotel room door open and go in and out to the pool because it’s that close. And these little pools are not crowded at all! There is also a large pool with food service if you’re feeling more social.

And, if you are looking for a nice free evening activity, on Saturday nights they play a children’s movie at the pool. You literally can float on a raft and watch a movie (they even provide popcorn). Inexpensive, old-fashioned family fun. Did I mention they also have tennis, golf, a large exercise room, and gorgeous full spa – so moms and dads can also enjoy. I’d highly recommend it.

Camping In terms of family bonding, it does not get much better than a family camping trip. The whole experience of gathering firewood, cooking meals on a stick over a crackling fire and shooting the breeze with the kids can give the whole family lasting memories. The USDA Forest Service also claims that outdoor recreation like camping results in healthier, stronger and smarter children.

Cruise Many cruise lines now offer weekend cruises for the whole family. Some cruise ships come equipped with swimming pools, climbing walls, miniature golf, kid-friendly meals and family entertainment.

This makes for a fun escape for children of all ages as well as their parents. However, one of the best parts of a weekend cruise with the family is the fact that you will all get to see a new location. Visit Mexico, the Bahamas or even Canada for around $200 per family member. Considering that this cost includes food, entertainment, sleeping quarters and travel expenses, it can be well worth it.

Big City Reserve a hotel room for a night or two in the largest nearby city. Get a room downtown and walk to museums, art galleries, shopping areas and restaurants. Check out any local events, concerts or even unique transportation methods like cable cars or monorails.

Visit a zoo or take a walk on the beach. Whatever the city has to offer, take advantage of it. This kind of adventure is not only memorable, it is educational. There are few places outside of the big cities where you can find such diversity and that kind of education cannot be found in a classroom setting.

Guided Retreats Learning a new skill with your family can offer loads of fun and, more importantly, bonding time. You and your family can learn to cook, weave, make pottery or even search for gold in your own local area. If your family is a little more adventurous, try staying at a dude ranch, white water rafting, sea fishing or mountain climbing with professional guides. Find an overnight retreat that fits your family's interest and make the most of your family weekend vacation.