Another school year is coming to an end and families are busy making plans for summer camps and for the annual family vacation. According to the American Automobile Association, a family of four spent an average of $269 per day on food and lodging in 2007. That cost doesn't factor in the cost of travel, visits to theme parks and other attractions, or boarding the family dog.
Here are some simple steps to help families save on their summer vacation plans:

Dining and Entertainment
The average vacationing family of four spent about $120 per day on meals last summer. For a 10-day trip, the cost of food can rival the cost of the airline tickets.
Dining

• Pack snacks. When traveling by car, reduce the number of stops you have to make by packing a cooler with drinks and snacks for your trip. If you are traveling to theme parks during your vacation, packing some fruit and other snacks can save you lots of money.
• Kids eat free. If your hotel has a free meal option for your family or just for the kids, be sure to use it. And many restaurants offer free kids meals too. Before you go, visit www.kidseatfree.com and jot down a list of the restaurants where you can get special deals.
• Look for coupon specials. Most cities have travel and entertainment brochures and magazines that include coupons for free appetizers, discounted meals, and more. Find the visitor center when you get to town.
• Eat-in. If you are staying in a family suite hotel, private home, or other location with access to a kitchen, fix some of your meals in and you will save. While breakfast for four can easily run $35 or more, fixing eggs, toast and fresh fruit at home can be done for less than $10.

Entertainment

• A one-day visit to a theme park can easily cost $300 for a family of four. Consider multi-day passes if you are planning to go to more than once or visit multiple passes. Annual passes at some attractions can cost just a few dollars more than a one-day pass and might be a good value if you are in town for a couple of weeks. Look for website deals before you leave town-sometimes advance purchases can be done at a discount. And if you are a state resident, there may be special pricing available.
• Consider low and no-cost attractions such as state or national parks and museums. Spend a day lounging by the hotel pool, catching up on your reading, and enjoying a nap. Go fishing, hiking or biking-enjoy the outdoors with your family for a fraction of the cost.

There's No Place Like Home
Many families will consider taking a "staycation" this summer-opting to stay at home for their vacation. It eliminates lodging costs and can significantly reduce travel and meal costs. There are likely many places right in your hometown that you never visit-a zoo, science museum, butterfly garden, aquarium-all within driving distance. The key is to plan out your time off so you don't spend it cleaning out closets or scrubbing floors. Plan a morning drive to a beach or lake followed by a picnic lunch and an afternoon of bowling. Follow dinner with a make your own sundae station-the kids will love it. After a fun-filled day with your family, everyone can crawl into their own comfy beds.