The movie follows the story of 13-year-old Laura Chartoff (played by Hillary Wolf), who feels like she doesn't fit in with her oddball family. Her father, Tom (played by Griffin Dunne), is an eccentric artist who is more concerned with creating his latest masterpiece than paying the bills. Her mother, Linda (played by Margaret Whitton), is a health food nut who spends her days meditating and practicing yoga. Laura's older sister, Molly (played by Patricia Kalember), is a New Age enthusiast who spends her time getting in touch with her inner self. Laura's younger brother, Mickey (played by David Strathairn), is a computer whiz who rarely leaves his room.
Feeling frustrated and isolated, Laura decides to run away from home. However, to her surprise, her family bands together to find her. Along the way, they begin to see each other in a new light and learn to appreciate the quirks that make them unique. Tom finally understands the importance of responsibility, Linda learns to relax a little, Molly discovers she doesn't need to rely on New Age fads to be happy, and Mickey becomes more social.
As the family travels around looking for Laura, they encounter a series of misadventures, including getting stranded on a houseboat, falling off a dock, and encountering a group of eccentric street performers. Through it all, they come to understand the importance of sticking together and loving each other, no matter how different they may seem. In the end, Laura returns home with a newfound appreciation for her family, and they all live happily ever after.