We had really wanted to take a vacation this year, dh took the same week off as the kids and we planned to go away for a couple of nights to somewhere, probably Dallas or St Louis, both about six hours drive. Recently we did a vacation budget...and with gas at the highest I've ever seen, two nights hotel, etc...we decided against it. Instead we're going to:
*paint one of the bedrooms
*go to the local aquarium and/or zoo ( have memberships so will be free!)
*go to the drive-in movies (children under twelve are free!)
*go fishing
*discount bowling night (late sunday so it's normally too inconvenient)
*maybe hiking and a picnic.
Even if we get around to doing all of those and eat out a little, we'll still come in under half of what only gas, hotel and food would have cost. My four and six year olds have never been fishing or to the drive-in so I'm looking forward to sharing it with them :) Any other suggestions welcome!
Anne

That sounds great! Have fun!!

Personally, I really don't remember much about the vacations we took as a kid-but I do remember my Christmas and Spring breaks when I did special things at home with my family.