Family trips don’t need to be expensive in order to be memorable. There are many options for a family operating on a shoestring budget, but the best bet is to stay local. By saving on transportation costs, you can maximize the limited resources you have at your disposal.

Instead of coughing up bundles of cash on pricy hotel rooms, try bringing the family together in a wilderness setting. Pack up the camping gear, pile into the van, and head on down the road to Washington campgrounds. Once you arrive, begin teaching the kids a few valuable life lessons – give them a tent-pitching primer and a brief seminar on the finer points of catching fish.

While Eastern Washington may not boast a buzzing metropolis like the coastal side of the state, it makes up for what it lacks in urban entertainment with its exciting outdoor activities. There are several pristine skiing and snowboarding locations that are just a short drive from virtually anywhere on the eastern side of the state. Not to mention the ample opportunities for watersports.

One of my favorite Eastern Washington outdoor activities, however, is simply taking a hike through a secluded area. There is such an abundance of beautiful and exotic flora that you can easily spend a day—or two—exploring a single trail. While you really can’t go wrong no matter where venture, I prefer the scenic trails that surround Banks Lake.

If your family members find themselves happily exhausted from all the hiking, fishing, boating, cycling and swimming they have done at Banks Lake and the surrounding areas, Sunbanks Resort has the perfect activity. We specialize in family fun, and our 18-hole miniature golf course is proof of that commitment. The whole family can wind down with relaxing fun as they putt and play on our beautiful course.

Younger kids can learn the basics of golf while the adults practice their putting skills. At only $4 per person, our miniature golf is one of the most affordable Washington outdoor activities available at Sunbanks Resort. The course is located just north of the Lake View Villas and stays open until dusk. In addition, Sunbanks Resort is currently making improvements to its current playground, with an emphasis on safety in the redesign. Kids can enjoy forts, a slide and more when the new playground is completed in Spring 2009.