How to Fit More Travel Into The School Year

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Fitting travel into the school year can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re balancing work, kids’ activities, and other obligations. But with some planning and creativity, you can make room for more adventures without disrupting your family’s routine. Whether it’s a long weekend getaway, a strategically planned vacation, or a quick road trip, you don’t have to wait until summer to travel.

The key to traveling more during the school year is thinking ahead, being flexible with timing, and getting creative with how you spend your time off.

Use the School Calendar to Plan Ahead

Your school district’s calendar is your secret weapon for planning travel during the school year. Here’s how to make the most of it:

Check Next Year’s Calendar Early

I always start checking for next year’s school calendar in January. My wife, an educator, often sees tentative versions of her district’s calendar before it’s officially approved. Even if it’s not final, it gives us a rough idea of the available travel dates.

If you need to book flights or accommodations well in advance for a bigger trip, making educated guesses based on past school schedules can help. Consider booking refundable travel or investing in travel insurance if you’re unsure of final dates.

Know the School’s Policies on Absences

Taking kids out of school for travel is a personal decision, but be aware that most schools disapprove of it. You can opt to have your kids miss school, but they may not receive accommodations, such as makeup assignments. Also, extracurricular activities may have consequences. Our daughter had to sit out a softball game after we returned from spring break travels. Research school policies and decide what works best for your family.

Prioritize Longer Breaks for Bigger Trips

Our kids have been in the same school district their entire academic careers, while my wife teaches in a different district. Their spring breaks only align every few years. When they do, we plan a bigger trip. When they don’t, I sometimes take one or two of the kids on a smaller adventure while the others stay home.

Maximize Travel on Long Weekends

When holidays and teacher in-service days land on a Friday or Monday, they create built-in opportunities for long weekend trips. Here’s how to make the most of them:

Explore Locally: We live near Cleveland, so some of our favorite quick trips include the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Shores & Islands Ohio.

Visit Family: Holiday weekends are great for traveling to visit extended family, giving you both a getaway and a chance to reconnect.

Use Regional Travel Opportunities: Many destinations within a few hours’ drive offer new experiences without requiring extensive travel planning.

In our area, schools also have a day off for NEOEA Day, which is intended for teacher professional development. Since it always falls on a Friday, it provides another opportunity to plan a long weekend away.

Balance Travel Costs and Family Time

Traveling during the school year can be expensive, especially if it coincides with peak travel times. But you can still make it work with some planning:

Set Aside Travel Funds Year-Round: We contribute to a dedicated travel budget every month, even when we don’t have a specific trip planned.

Use Credit Card Rewards: Our goal is to cover at least one major expense per trip, such as flights or hotels, with points and miles.

Book Early for Savings: Planning ahead allows you to lock in better prices on accommodations and flights before demand drives costs up.

Make Time for Travel While School Is in Session

Fitting travel into the school year is all about being strategic. By planning ahead, taking advantage of long weekends, and budgeting wisely, you can create more opportunities for travel without disrupting your family’s routine. Whether it’s a short weekend getaway or a carefully planned spring break trip, these strategies will help you make the most of your available time.

Your kids won’t be in school forever. Take the time to make memories now, no matter how small the trip might seem.