Top 10 vacation savers

1. Choose destinations that have something to offer both parents and children according to their interests — for instance, cultural attractions as well as beaches.

2. Consider travelling with another family that has children the same ages as yours. The children will entertain each other, and parents can exchange childcare to enjoy occasional child-free outings.

3. Give your children a daily allowance and encourage them to think about how best to spend it — whether on treats, extra activities or souvenirs.

4. Research the health risks of the destination you're considering — everything from sunburn to malaria to altitude sickness.

5. Consider bringing a stocked first-aid kit, especially for a winter getaway when cold and flu can make an appearance at any time.

6. Buy your children disposable cameras and scrapbooks, and get them busy collecting souvenirs, taking photos and writing down observations so they'll have memories to keep.

7. Save money and sanity by flying at night, since the children may sleep for much of the flight.

8. Entertain smaller children on long flights by bringing along gift-wrapped new toys that will have enough novelty appeal to keep little hands busy. Ask for a bulk-head seat location on the plane – it will offer more space for extra gear and allow children to move around more easily.

9. Weigh the appeal of all-inclusive packages carefully – you're not always saving money if you don't eat or drink a lot, so consider a daily rate package instead if that's the case.

10. Remember that buying trips online can be significantly less expensive, especially for last-minute travel. But check first to see if the holiday provider is governed by provincial regulation, such as that provided by Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO).

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top 10 vacation