Planning affordable family vacations is tough! One of the best parts of parenting is planning memorable family vacations. There are so many wonderful places to visit and the learning opportunities of exploring places near and far is unmatched.

However, travel costs can be immense. How can you make sure your kids have the magic of travel as a big part of their lives, while also not sacrificing your bank account? 

I'm here for you! I am a master of planning affordable family vacations. I know exactly how to find family vacation trips that don't break the bank. Here, I'm sharing my tips, in an easy step-by-step guide. Read on for my tried-and-true steps for planning affordable nearby road trips, week-long trips across the country, long weekend jumps to Europe, and more. 

Find Boston-area spots where kids eat free today!

Find great meal deals at these CT restaurants where kids eat free!

Who needs to cook when kids eat free every night of the week at restaurants around the DC area? From popular chains like IHOP and Denny’s to neighborhood pubs, Italian bistros, and more, we’ve got you covered with kid-friendly meal deals that will help you enjoy an evening out with your family while saving money, too. 

Read on for our list of 17 restaurants where kids eat free in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. For more great freebies, check out our Guide to Free Things to Do with Kids in DC, and look up our Kid-Friendly DC Restaurants Guide for more family restaurants throughout the area.

As you may have noticed, today is a snow day! And as the winter weather (or spring's rainy weather) settles in, having reliable free things to do indoors in your back pocket is crucial. Free indoor activities in Atlanta help parents keep the party going no matter what's happening outdoors, without a huge hit to the wallet. Here are some of our favorite free things to do when its rainy, icy, snowy, or some type of combination that haunts Atlanta. Just make sure you can safely drive there!

For more free fun in Atlanta, check out our Free Things To Do with Kids Guide and sign up for our newsletters to get info delivered straight to your inbox.

Find out what days kids eat free at IHOP; where kids can eat free today; or where kids eat free as part of an awesome rewards program in Orlando. We've rounded up Orlando restaurants where kids eat free and sorted them by every day of the week. And who doesn't want to save money on tasty, FREE food?!

This list is accurate as of publish date, but call ahead to verify that specials are current as individual locations. Also, many Orlando restaurants require the purchase of an adult entree with a kid's free meal. Find more free and budget-friendly fun with our Orlando Kids Free Things to Do Guide!

Are you looking for FREE things to do with kids on Long Island? We've compiled a massive list of 100 FREE, family-friendly, interactive adventures that you should not miss. 

Finding free things to do with the family on Long Island is a great way to have fun, make memories, and stay on budget. From playgrounds and parks to museums and historic towns, we've rounded up 100 activities perfect for kids of all ages. Read on to plan your next completely free family outing. 

For even more no-cost fun check out our Guide to Free Things To Do with Long Island Kids.

Free New Jersey indoor play spots–which range from malls and toy stores to libraries and bookstores–help banish winter boredom...at least for a little while. So grab a coffee, a friend, and schedule your next play date at one of these indoor gems.

For even more family fun, don't miss our guide to great indoor play spaces on Long Island with fees for winter drop-in hours.