Our 5 and 3 year old have never been to the beach and we would like to take them somewhere fun and affordable April 2014. Any ideas.............

Do you want to go near where you live to be "affordable" - or fly? Here in So Cal is fine - although the water will not be as warm yet as it might be in Florid - or definitely not as warm in say Cabo San Lucas - Mexico - or Hawaii.

You have to define "affordable" - that word means different things to different people.

Where are you traveling from? How long a trip are you planning?

Hint: If in US the further south you go the better your chances are you'll find "warm beach weather" in April - look a southern Florida, Southern California. If you are willing (and can afford) to travel outside the mainland US look at Mexico, the Caribbean or Hawaii but keep in mind airfares will add to your cost and may push the overall trip cost past what you deem "affordable".

If you can wait wait until summer (late June, July or Augist) you'll have a lot more "beach" options open to you.

Florida in April has plenty of choices... we took our kids to the gulf coast anywhere between Clearwater and Naples...

Places get more "affordable" if you avoid the week prior to and after Easter.

From where are you traveling?

I would nix California from the list of possibilities for April. It might be beach weather in Southern CA in April, but you can't count on it. The weather will probably be nice, but barring a heat wave, it probably won't be warm enough for kids to play in the water, build sand castles, etc.

Florida would be my pick for someplace in the US.

We live in Ohio and are up for flying or driving. We would only like to spend a couple thousand dollars if possible.

If you drive and stop once along the way,you should have plenty of money for an affordable vacation on the gulf coast... airfare for 4 would be close to $1200 round trip...

Thanks for all your great recommendations. I think we may drive and spend a week on the Gulf side of Florida. Any recommendations for favorite beaches, places to stay, or things to do?