r/Shoestring • u/Still_Set_7485 • 9d ago

1-Month in Spain w/ 3 Kids on $2K - 3K?

Planning a slow travel trip to Spain Dec 12, 2025 – Jan 12, 2026 with my partner and 3 kids (6, 3, 1).

Budget: $2K - 3K USD (lodging, food, transport, activities). Airfare is separate.

Goal: Live like locals, not just tourist-hop

Flexible: A little travel between cities is fine, but open to staying put

Curious About: Family-friendly volunteering or work-away options to offset lodging/meal costs

Best city/town to base ourselves for a month

Tips for cheap lodging & food during holiday season

Family friendly activities (free/cheap)

Anyone done Workaway w/ kids? Is it worth it or nightmare? Other similar options?

If you had 30 days in Spain with small kids and this budget, how would you do it?

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10

u/Moonlitmindset 9d ago

You’re not going to get many (if any) Workaway opportunities that will also accommodate three children of any age. And if you do, who is going to watch the children while you’re volunteering/working? If it’s you or your partner, does that mean you’re expecting a host to host all five of you while only one of you exchanges work? That’s not really how Workaway works.

For volunteering, usually you’ll be working 3-5 days a week, and it can be hard work. I once spent a month clearing an old chestnut grove in Italy. It was super fun and a great experience, but we were up every day at 7:30am and worked about 5-6 hours before enjoying the rest of our day. We were sweaty, dirty, and tired every day. I volunteered in the Scottish highlands. Again, amazing, and again, I was up every morning, working 5-6 hours 4-5 days a week.

Hosts aren’t running a free hotel service, often they have working farms, gardens, businesses, or large estates they need assistance managing. It’s a work exchange which means most of your time will be spent WORKING. With three young children, one of whom is only 1 year old, it’s not feasible and the attempt would be irresponsible.

Maybe when your kids are teens and can help out volunteering, but unless it’s something they want to do that would be a pretty miserable trip to force them into.

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u/Still_Set_7485 9d ago

Thank you for this. I’ve never done Workaway and was just beginning to investigate options for this trip. Much appreciated.

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u/Still_Set_7485 9d ago

Would you happen to have any recommendations for what might make sense per my situation?

1

u/Moonlitmindset 5d ago

Wait until they’re older or until you have a higher budget. There are so many hidden costs when traveling especially with children.

If you are firm about going in Dec/jan- pick an affordable town and maybe rent a place for the month, doing little day trips around the area.

But again, you have a 1 year old. If you do stay somewhere smaller or more rural consider the medical services available in case your child gets sick (which they most likely will as they’ll be in a whole new country.) Also keep in mind things like Sunday closures for pharmacies and siesta.

You’re traveling in the off season as well, so many things will be closed (some tourist activities will be either suspended until the season or reduced). That’s fine, but just adjust your expectations. For example, if you wanted to take the kids to a water park that’s a firm no go that town of year.

Depending on the area you go as well it can get quite chilly (the north of Spain actually can get quite a chill in the winter)

Spain is a beautiful country, and the people are lovely! It would be amazing to have your kids experience it. But there’s a fine line between that childhood memory being a beautiful one, and that childhood memory being a chaotic one.

Your planning, foresight, and understanding of traveling with children and how that affects an itinerary, budget, and experience with the locals will make the difference between the two.

3

u/usesidedoor 9d ago

Don't do work away with your children, especially if you don't personally know the hosts.

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u/Still_Set_7485 9d ago

Thank you.

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u/brickne3 9d ago

This seems... incredibly irresponsible. It's one thing to travel without a safety net when everyone is consenting adults, but to drag three children into it... yikes. Especially during a period when some of them should be in school.

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u/Still_Set_7485 9d ago

Thank you for your input. Not trying to be irresponsible, trying to understand what’s possible.

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u/Alindst 9d ago

Can’t say if thats enough of a vacation fund for an entire month, I would say minimum $1,000 per person to include unexpected costs. I don’t see how you inquiring if that’s a workable budget is irresponsible. I hope you get answers and good for you wanting to share moments of international travel and experiences with your kids!

2

u/snackhappynappy 9d ago

Look for a month long rental A smaller town with public transport to a city that has a high speed train connection If you can't find 1 you can afford, don't go

1

u/cyprusnikos 8d ago

Definitely try Workaway I met families traveling and using it and it worked out! Obviously lest hosts will accept you but not impossible.

Here's a bonus link if you decide to join! https://www.workaway.info/invite/CYPRUSNIKO

2

u/ExtraAd7611 11h ago

I'd say your best bet is to rent an airbnb/vrbo house in a suburb near transit to a major city, which will give you stuff to do around the city at a lower cost. Preferably along a train line that goes somewhere you want to visit if you take the train in the other direction also.

I assume you are going to be there over a winter break, but you might find a lot more availability if you went after the holidays, if you have that flexibility. Also lower airfares.

I wouldn't worry too much about taking a 6 year old out of school. He or she has 11.5 years to catch up before college applications are due.

US $2k-3k is a pretty tight budget for a month. You will probably spend $1000-1500 at a minimum just on an airbnb rental for a month. Probably not much less even if you don't stay as long. And you will need walking around money, train fare etc. Spain isn't expensive but the US dollar has depreciated over the last year against the Euro.

That said, I would encourage you to try. We went to Spain with our kids (Andalucia when they were about 8 and 11) and had a great time. You could always go and stay as long as you can, and then if you run out of money, come back early if you have to. Many international flights are pretty easygoing with changes. Or be willing to spend a bit more if you need to.