Learning to Travel with a BIG family on a small budget

See the Son glimmering off our back window...God was with us!

After receiving a nice tax return this year, Monte and I decided that this was the year to take our family on vacation.  We decided on Branson for a week.  We wanted to relax and to have fun as a family without going into debt and breaking the bank (not relaxing or fun when you get home).  Relax with five children in tow?  We did and we actually came in under budget.  The key to our success was being organized and being intentional, having a plan.  Having fun meant trying to avoid meltdowns as much as possible from mommy and the kids.

For months before our trip, we I kept a running packing list.  As I used things, I jotted them down.  The list was very detailed and included things like clothing items (swimming suits/jackets), hygiene items, medications each person needed or might need, baby items (like the Cd player and wave Cd that Gracen can't sleep without), toys and entertainment items and much more.  We actually didn't leave home without anything important which was a small miracle in itself.  We were also blessed with a luggage carrier that held lots of stuff (thanks Terri and Dynette)!

When we chose our lodging we looked for a place that could accommodate our large family.  We needed separate rooms for children to sleep away from children who wanted to play.  The cabin had to have a full kitchen so that we could eat many of our meals in (eating out for our family of seven would add $80-$100 per day to our budget).   A side note...eating out is much less of a temptation when you have two screaming toddlers in a restaurant at the end of the day. Eating IN is actually much more appealing because we are use to their noise and barbaric eating habits.   A perk but also a necessity for us was a washer and dryer in house.  Being able to come home each night and wash a load or two of laundry made coming home at the end of vacation much less messy and stressful.  It also allowed us to pack less clothing, especially for the little ones who can go through a few outfits in a day.  Another requirement was having accommodations where some entertainment was included.  The complex where our cabin was located had two pools, a playground, and hiking trails.  The cabin also needed to be near where the bulk of our activities would be.  The toddlers especially, would not enjoy spending hours in the car each day commuting to activities, just getting them there was enough.  Our cabin was five minutes from Silver Dollar City and ten minutes from Branson.  Spending a little more on accommodations and spending less on other things just makes sense for us.  Having many of the comforts of home makes for happy children (and a happy mama).

We bought season passes to Silver Dollar City for those over the age of three.  This allowed us to come and go as we pleased.  When the babies (and mommy) got tired and cranky we were able to go home and take naps.  For those of you who don't know, Silver Dollar City is a Pioneer/Ozark Themed Christian Park. While we were there we enjoyed watching woodworking, glass blowing, riding rides, dipping candles, learning about their pioneer town, watched some shows (especially enjoyed the Saloon Show), toured the cave and shopped.  Yes all with five children in tow (except the cave...Monte and the older children enjoyed it one morning while mommy and the younger children relaxed at the cabin).  We spent two full days and three half days in the park.  We covered it all but could have spent even more time there. 

Silver Dollar City was probably our most fun Branson adventure but also one of our most difficult until we got the hang of it.  The hardest task was getting on and off the trams that took us to and from the parking lot to the park.  We had to collapse and carry strollers, babies, diaper bag, the food cooler and manage three children all in a crowded line trying to get on the tram.  It took us a few tries but we came up with a system.  Bentley carried Nevaeh, Conner carried a small bag with water bottles, Payton carried a small cooler,  Mommy carried the small stroller and the big diaper bag, daddy carried Gracen and the large stroller.  We literally took up two rows on the tram.  Luckily people were kind and we made it off and on without incident each time.  In the park itself Monte typically led the way with one stroller the three kids walked between and I followed with another stroller.  This also took a bit of trial and error.  We found that walking in age order worked best so that no one was trying to get ahead of the other.  We also found that some unnamed little person didn't pay enough attention and would constantly run into the back of daddy which was only funny the first few times.  When we went into stores, we stayed together and the children put their hands in their pockets (except for at the toy store).  We thought that we might be a sideshow but we were pleased to actually see many families as large or larger than ours.  We saved money at the park by bringing our lunch in, all but one day.   As we looked around there were many families choosing this option.  We bought a few fun snacks and enjoyed supper from the park one evening (it was bluegrass and barbecue week, we couldn't resist) but otherwise spent very little on extras in the park.

Monte took a Picture of the Menu, knowing we were going to eat at the park the next day...this way we could make a plan.  Kind of Funny but it is really hard to order for seven people and not spend lots of money when you feel rushed.

Each child brought their own money along for souvenirs.  We bought one family souvenir and bought and dipped candles with the children but otherwise they were required to spend their own money (much of it was Christmas and or Birthday Money).  I think that this helped to teach them to spend wisely.  First of all it is their money.  It also taught them to make good choices because when it's gone it's gone.  Mom and dad are not just handing over money for each thing they want.  This is the beginning of learning to live on a budget.

Other activities we enjoyed in Branson were very cheap or free.  The Ralph Foster museum at the School of the Ozarks was fun and free for school age children (Monte and I paid a total of $12 to get in).  We went to Branson Landing where the children spent some of their souvenir money and we watched the fountain set to music and lights.  We also visited Bass Pro Shop and enjoyed their fun displays of wildlife.  There was also a Free Wildlife Conservation Area with hiking trails that we spent a short time at.  We drove the strip and to table rock lake and enjoyed the sights the area had to offer.  We played games on the back screened in porch and the kids watched movies in bed (a treat for both us and them).  We kept it simple and that made it relaxing, cheap, and fun

All in all it was a great week and we came home with all of the children, money in our pockets and smiles on our faces!