Spring break is next week for some of us in Alabama and later for others. I've gathered up some sites for you to check out that will help you pick out events, attractions and more to entertain the kids.
I asked readers to share frugal travel tips during a recent post on my Facebook
. They shared some great ideas you can read below.
One tip that most of the readers encourage is to pack a picnic. While some simply suggest it to save money, others point out how the children can benefit from the memories of sitting at picnic table with family or playing after a quick lunch at a rest area.
If you have a tip that helps you save time, money or sanity when road-tripping with children please share in the comments.
MAP
From reader Stephanie Byrd Wiggins: "Mom always had me read the map. It was a game. She would ask me to look & see what town we were going to go thru next. Also taught me to read a map & I have a great sense of direction. Almost never get lost. I think it's because of the map game."
EGGS
From reader EdwardandRachael Montgomery: "We pack a backpack for each kid with crayons, books, paper, small toys, etc for trips. And snacks. Ha!! To save $$ we limit eating out and eat a lot of eggs for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch."
I SPY
From reader Jennifer Bryan Gonzalez: "We play games like "I see something **insert color of choice***. That way both my kids can play (8 and 3 years old). My oldest gets so carsick that reading or doing anything where he had to look down makes him sick. Movies are a go to for us." Photo by Christie Dedman/al.com
COOKIE SHEETS
From reader Libby Lyles Farrington "A cookie sheet! My son is five, and we have always traveled with a cookie sheet, using letter magnets, animal magnets, I even put magnets on the back of puzzles. When he was smaller, I put magnets on "texture items" like pom poms... It keeps him entertained and it's hard to lose pieces."
TAGS
From reader Hannah Wolfson "We play old-fashioned 20 Questions, and keep a list of license plates, checking off each state as we see them in an attempt to get all 50. Like others, we usually pack sandwiches and lots of snacks -- hard-boiled eggs, cheese, crunchy veggies and fruit and nuts; even chips and cookies are cheaper from the grocery store than the gas stations and make the trip feel special."
License Plate games are free in iTunes & Android app stores or just use a notebook.
COLORLESS MARKERS
From reader Lisa Martin: "I downloaded a couple of "read along" audio books for my 4 year old son, who can't read quite yet. We have some already but I like to bring new stuff on the trip so he won't get bored. They also have audio books at Cracker Barrel that you can "rent" and turn in at any other Cracker Barrel location. They are more for older children/adults the last time I checked. I like those colorless markers kit with the coloring book for car trips so there are not any melted crayons or markers bleeding all over my car. The last trip we went on, we discovered my phone has a voice reorder. My son was entertained for hours recording himself and listening back to it."
TENT
From reader Christina L Boggan: "At Disney World we camped at Fort Wilderness for 10 days. That was huge on saving $$. So camping in general can be a great way save $$. At the beach we travel during the off season (Fall), rent a condo, always eat breakfast in and eat out before the dinner prices kick in."
BACKPACK
From reader Elizabeth McCleney: "Pack a bag for each of my two toddlers with crayons and paper/coloring books, stickers, small toys, etc. I have even went to the dollar tree and picked up a few items so they have something new. As always tablets and DVD players are packed as well. Of course a snack bag!! This year we will be taking our longest road trip and with a two and three yr old we have to have new things!"
Photo by Christie Dedman/al.com
TRAVEL BINGO Simple As That shared a free, downloadable printable Travel Bingo game. Go here to print and get her tips. Photo courtesy of Simple As That.
WORD SEARCH
From reader Rahkia Nance: "My sister and I loved word game books (e.g., the books that have crossword puzzles, word find, word jumbles, logic problems, etc.) A lot of our road trips were spent traveling through rural areas. My sister and I played a lot of "That's My/Your House." Or sometimes my mom would challenge us to see how many types of certain vehicles we would see within one state. (We drove from Virginia to Alabama A LOT). So she might say, How many red cars can you count in North Carolina? Or how many white pickup trucks can you count in Georgia? We usually lost count, but it was fun!"
SNACKS
From reader Matt G. Morris Sr.: "Benadryl and they sleep on the road trip. LOL, JK. Pack what people normally eat not what would be a great snack. People are creatures of habit. So stay within the norms of your daily routine as much as possible!" Photo by Christie Dedman/al.com
OPEN ROAD - BOARD SIGNS
From reader Kayla Culwell: "We played the ABC game. When we were younger, it was any letter we saw, but as we got older it had to be the beginning of the word. We got stuck on Q a lot, and if we were lucky enough to find one, we got stuck on X next." To play the game include signs, billboards, etc. Photo by Christie Dedman/al.com
VW BEETLE
From reader Linda Sandlin Cowden: "In the past when my children were young, we would play punch buggy (looking for VW Beetles)."
REACHER GRABBER
From reader Linda Sandlin Cowden: "I bought a 'reacher'/'grabber' in the toy section in WalMart (only $5) and they were able to retrieve dropped items easily." Of course don't let them use it as a weapon.
COOLER
From reader Jennifer Bryan Gonzalez: "We always pack a cooler with drinks to limit gas station purchases."
BOOKS ON CD/AUDIO BOOKS
From reader Barbara Woods Sanders: "Books on "tape". I download books to the kids iPod and either they listen individually or we will get a book we all agree on and listen to it. Most popular kids books are on cd at the library making it free."
Now let's get started with the day trip ideas:
(Call each of these locations before you go to confirm hours and admission, which are subject to change without notice)
AlaPark.com
-- This is a site featuring all state parks in Alabama including their admission, hours and events calendar. Click on the What To Do tab to find out about events and more. Go here to get started:
Alabama Tourism Department --
This site is a comprehensive list of events and attractions across the state from the mountains to the gulf. Click on the Festival & Event Calendar tab at the top of the page. Select the date on the calendar and submit, then check out the list of events across the state. Go here to get started:
Birmingham365.org -
This is an excellent and comprehensive source of events, attractions and more from Birmingham and surrounding areas. Includes library listings, plays, arts, free events, festivals and more. Go here:
Family Days Out -
This site is a massive list of attractions and destinations for each state. Pick Alabama or the state you'll be visiting, then choose from an alphabetical listing of all family friendly attractions. Go here to get started:
Fresh Air Family --
This site offers free and cheap outdoor activity listings that are all nature and education oriented. They do required registration, which is free. Go here to get started:
Alabama Civil War Trail Features 47 Low Cost Sites + Free Map
Go
for more details. (Mobile users will need to acces this from a desktop)
Birmingham Museum of Art free spring break activities
Go here to see their full calendar:
Montgomery Museum of Art f
amily art days.
details.
BIRMINGHAM ZOO --
No discounts
A number of Spring Break events are scheduled for next week.
Montgomery Zoo
They do offer military discounts. Go here for details
Mobile Zoo
hours and admission.
BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS --
Cherry Blossom Festival
presented by Japan America Society of Alabama
Saturday March 21
Japan America Society of Alabama’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival and viewing will feature Japanese-themed performances, demonstrations and exhibits. This event is free and open to the public. Go here:
HUNTSVILLE SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER, Gulf Coast Exploreum, Anniston Museum of Natural History & Mary G. Hardin Arts/Science Center
Save on admission by joining the Southern Museum of Flight for $45 for the entire family.
They have a reciprocal relationship with the center so you'll get in free!
Southern Museum of Flight membership
This could be a great time to take the kids to see the capitol, archives, Little White House of Confederacy, Old Alabama Town and more.
Go here to see a complete list of attractions and options for educational entertainment.
You might surprise yourself by learning something.
Most of the government attractions are free.
Old Alabama Town is not.
Here's their info:
Hours: Old Alabama Town is open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Our last ticket is sold at 3 p.m. We're closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Admission: Adults, $10; Children ages 6-18, $5. Free to ages 5 and younger. A 10 percent discount is offered to AAA, military and seniors.
Ruffner Mountain Nature Center in East Lake -- They've got several spring break camp options available plus a number of free events starting this week. Go here
Moundville in Tuscaloosa explore Native American culture and more each day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Go here to learn more about their programs and Saturdays in the park.
Anniston Museum of Natural History
Adult/$6
Senior Citizen (age 60+)/$5.50
Child(4–17)/$5 & ages 3 & under/free
This is a fun museum to explore.
They will have special spring break programs the week of March 27 & 28. They are open T
GO HERE.
ALABAMA SPORTS HALL OF FAME
Go here.
Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admissions:
$5 Adults
$4 Senior Citizens
(60 and over)
$3 Students
$14 Families
Go here to learn more about their coming events.
Daily Admission Rates (plus tax) 10 am - 6 pm:
(Includes park grounds, Vulcan Center Museum and Observation Balcony)
$6 Adults
$5 Seniors (65+)
$4 Children ages 5-12
Children 4 years and under are admitted free.
Helen Keller Birthplace in Tuscumbia, AL.
Go here for directions, description and more.
They also have some great kids games and information for you to share with your kids before you get there.
Address:
300 North Commons Street, West
Tuscumbia, Alabama 35674
(256) 383-4066
Hours:
Monday through Saturday 8:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Last tour starts at 3:45 p.m. daily
Home Tour Admission:
Adults..........................................$6.00
Students ages 5 -18..................$2.00
Seniors & "AAA" members......$5.00
Military (Active and Retired).....$5.00
Group of 20 or more..................Adults $5 & Children $1.50 (Group reservations requested)
American Village in Montevallo -
Go here for directions, hours and admission.
Mondays - Fridays from 10-4 PM
Bellingrath Gardens - Mobile
Go here
USS ALABAMA -- MOBILE
Go here
Berman Museum of History in Anniston -
Go here.
Birmingham Civil Rights Museum is free on Sundays only from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Go here: http://www.bcri.org/index.html
Arlington Antebellum Home is open Tuesday through Saturday.
$5 for adults and $3 for kids 18 and under.
Go here.
Also -- Natural Bridge Alabama - $3 or less for park entrance.
County Rd 314
Natural Bridge, AL 35577
(205) 486-5330