10 Cheap Family Vacations with Toddlers

From parks to museums and sports, you can find plenty of cheap things to do with toddlers in Tampa, you just need to look in the right places.

One of the best attractions in the area to check out is the Busch Gardens. Although the cost of park admission is close to what they have at Disney or Universal, you’ll get your money’s worth with an amusement park and zoo all in one.

Located within driving distance are beaches where your toddler can enjoy the gentle waves and warm water, and play with the soft white sand.

Located in downtown Tampa on the banks of the Hillsborough River, you’ll find the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park which is a great place for relaxation. The kids can stroll the Riverwalk, let loose on the playground, run through the eight-acre grassy field, and cool off at the playground. 

Are you planning a family vacation with a toddler that’s both fun and budget-friendly, then the City of Pigeon Forge in Tennessee is perfect!

There’s the Pigeon Forge trolley which allows you and your family to explore all of the best things to do in Pigeon Forge with kids at a very low price. What’s so great about it is that children 3 years old and younger can ride it for free!

You can also visit Patriot park where you can take a stroll through the park, have a family picnic and enjoy lots of space for playtime.

And while you’re at it, you can also drop by the Old Mill Square to feed the ducks, your tots will surely have fun watching the ducks swim and splash on the water. 

Chicago is one of the largest cities in the United States and has a ton of things to offer people of all ages. Start with a visit to the Chicago Botanic Garden which is a cluster of 27 stunning gardens spread over 385 vast acres.

Adults will likely enjoy strolling around the gardens but the kids will also have a great time exploring the Nature Play Garden, the learning center, and the vast Esplanade where they can run around in the grass.

Chicago also has museums & zoos which offer plenty of opportunities for your toddlers to learn and enjoy new discoveries. The Lincoln Park Zoo for one is a free zoo located in a great neighborhood and right on the lake.

If you want to see the beauty of Chicago, we recommend hopping on the world-famous Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier which is free for children 3 years old and below.

Yellowstone National Park is the oldest national park in the U.S., spreading over 3,500 square miles with gorgeous landscapes. Families with young kids will find so many things to do without breaking the banks.

Explore forests, waterfalls, hot springs, thermal pools, canyons, and the different wildlife in the area. What's great about it is that there is so much to see within walking distance of the car and you don't have to bring along your toddlers for 5 miles to see the different natural attractions.

There are also free Wildlife workshops and narrated boat tours that you can take with the whole family. If your family enjoys camping, you can bring along your tent or RV and camp in the park as hotels can get pretty expensive during the peak season.

Washington, D.C. may be known as a hub of politics and knowledge, but you don’t have to worry about your toddlers as there are lots of budget-friendly things to do in Washington D.C with your little ones. Here are some incredible ideas to check out:

• Tour the National Zoo (Smithsonian National Zoological Park): which is always free of charge and open 364 days a year.
• Check out the ImagiNations Activity Center at the National Museum of the American Indian: Also FREE!
• Enjoy family-friendly fun in Yards Park
• Attend toddler-friendly programs at a public library
• Head down to the Lincoln Memorial to walk and see the ducks on the reflecting pool.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is one of the best places to take your toddlers for a vacation. Whether you want to relax, to play, or just to shop and eat, there are plenty of toddler-friendly options that the whole family will enjoy. So you’re wondering what’s free?

Having fun at the beach is totally free! Grab your chair, sit down, or play with your kids on the sand while listening to the soothing waves roll in.

Another place to visit is the Huntington Beach State Park offers three miles of beaches and nature trails, a campground, and a variety of habitats for wildlife.

There is also the Savannah's Playground which is open to the public, free, and great for kids of all types but especially those with special needs.

Myrtle Beach also offers tons of family hotel rooms to choose from and you are sure to find accommodation that will fit your family vacation budget. 

Planning a budget-friendly family getaway with toddlers can be stressful, but you don’t have to worry so you're headed to Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. Gatlinburg is home to a wide variety of toddler-friendly attractions that won’t breathe bank.

With the Great Smoky Mountains National park in the area, you and your toddlers can enjoy an entire week’s worth of wildlife exploration, sightseeing, and hiking which are all FREE! You can also ride the Free of charge Gatlinburg Trolley to go around town.

And if you’re not too enthusiastic about staying at a hotel, there are numerous Smoky Mountain Cabins for families on a budget. 

St. Louis in Missouri is one of the best places to visit with toddlers. And there are plenty of cheap or free things to enjoy in the area when you're balling on a budget.

There’s the world-class Saint Louis Zoo which has no admission charge as well as Grant’s Farm and World Bird Sanctuary which is full of awesome birds of prey. And if you think museums are too boring for toddlers, think again. 

There are free museums like the Saint Louis Science Center which is the perfect place for your toddlers to play while learning about science as there are tons of hands-on exhibits from dinosaurs to space exploration. 

Your family can also visit the Saint Louis Art Museum, but be sure to go on a Sunday as they offer free crafts and tours for kids.

Use public transportation If you're hoping to avoid the added expense of renting a car or paying for parking, consider using Metro, the city's light rail and bus system. One-day passes cost $5.00, but children 4 years old and younger can ride free.

Seattle is a great place to take your toddlers for vacation, offering plenty of free ways to spend time in the Emerald City without spending a penny. From public play areas to petting farms to story times every day of the week, you and your little ones will never get bored going around the city. Here are some of the most budget-friendly activities and places to visit with toddlers:

• Kelsey Creek Farm in Bellevue- The kids will surely love seeding the cows, horses, bunnies, chickens, sheep, pigs, and more on this free farm. Plus there’s also a playground that is just the perfect size for toddlers, with swings, seesaws, and climbing toys.
• Seattle Center- this free attraction in Seattle is a blast! Watch your r toddlers as they enjoy wandering around the sculpture garden, create cool sounds at the Sonic Bloom solar-powered art installation, run around the fountain, and more.
• The Center for Wooden Boats- This learning center is all about boats! Aside from the many boating things on display. If you’re lucky you’ll catch a free Sunday Public Sail or the free Tugboat Story Time aboard the historic tugboat Arthur Foss (you can check their events calendar to verify tugboat story time is running that week).

For going around the city, Seattle’s public transit system is a steal! Buy an orca card, just spend $4.50 on one and load it up at the Airport Station or any other stop along the light rail, and you can use it for the entirety of your trip! By the way, children 5 and under are FREE!

With its beautiful sandy beaches, scenic landscapes, and affordable family resorts, the Outer Banks in North Carolina is a great vacation destination with toddlers.

You can pack for a picnic and head to the beach to enjoy some free fun in the sun with your little ones.

Visit the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island to learn about stingrays, alligators, and otters and see the largest collection of sharks in the state, children 2 years and younger are free. 

Ghost Crab Hunting is a nighttime activity that is a family favorite. Once the sun goes down Grab a flashlight and head to the beach, look for crabs and catch (and release) them.

The Outer Banks also have a constant breeze that blows round the clock which makes it a great place for flying a kite.

Instead of renting a hotel, you can rent a beach house which always offers more bang for your buck in the Outer Banks. You’ll enjoy more space, more privacy, and more amenities than you would in a hotel.