If money is tight, camping is one of the most affordable single parent travel ideas. Better yet, it is loads of fun! While you can camp by renting cabins or an RV, to keep costs down, you can cam free style which means that you pitch a tent and do without your usual amenities.
Camping free style gives your family the chance to have conversations around the campfire, live off the land, and become one with nature. Camping offers adventure, excitement, educational opportunities and fun. In addition, you may find that camping is a much cheaper form of overnight accomodations for other trips where you do not care about the whole nature idea.
If you do not already have camping equipment, you will need to go shopping. The basics include a tent designed to house all of your family members, a cooler, food, sleeping bags, ice, camp stove, pillows, folding table, cookware, utensils and plates (paper may be easiest), first aid kit, flashlights, battery lamp, and batteries. Bringing a tarp to place underneath your tent is also a good idea. This helps to prevent water from getting inside your tent and gives you a floor for your tent.
Now that you have the gear, you will need to find a campground. You can hunt online for information or if you are a AAA Club member, you can get books that list campsites and their amenities. Since you are in a tent, you will probably want a campground that has restroom facilities unless you want a really primitive experience. You also may want grills, a playground for the kids, swimming in a lake or pool, and other fun activities to be available.
Camping free style can be a great single parent travel idea. You get to spend quality time with their children and a cheap vacation at the same time!