My mind starting recalling these fond memories when a unique press release advertising an inflatable booster car seat known as the BubbleBum came across my desk.

While the invention might be something to giggle about, I probably would have appreciated it somewhere between Cheyenne and Minneapolis back when I was 10!

Nonetheless, here are some great tips from BubbleBum to get your family thinking about affordable trips to squeeze in right before the kids head back to school -- even if it is in less than two weeks:

• Take a trip to a nearby lake, ocean, river or pool. Bring along a load of swimming gear, snacks and toys to make it feel like you are taking a vacation.
• Travel across the state line and experience something new there. Perhaps visit a national park or a cool museum. Book a night at a hotel or just make it a daylong trip if your home isn’t far away.
• Go camping. Family camping trips are a great way to bond with one another. Include your kids in pitching the tent, canoeing and building a fire. Go fishing together, swim in the lake, and tell stories around a campfire. This will build memories for years to come. You can always bring another family along, too.
• Book a night at a water-park or hotel with a pool (especially if you don't have one in your own backyard). This can feel like a fun vacation for kids even if it is short. Parents can relax poolside, or cool down after a long week at work, while the children enjoy their time as well.
• Visit somewhere local like a nearby zoo, theme park or mini golf park. Do it as a family and it will become a fun getaway that doesn’t take much time and energy.
• Geocaching is an ever-growing activity that more and more families are participating in. Take your clan on a real-world outdoor treasure hunting game, where participants try to locate hidden containers using GPS-enabled devices. For younger children, make your own treasure hunt with clues in your backyard.
• Go see a relative (with kids) that you haven’t in a while. Think through a list of family that you haven’t had the time to visit. Then schedule aside a day to road trip and see them, or meet them halfway. Let the kids play together while you enjoy catching up.
• Take a hike! Doing outdoor activities as a family can build a lasting bond. Use the activity to build your children up with encouragement by how well they are doing. Other ideas include roller skating, biking or exploring a nearby lake.