Family vacations were once a thing we all looked forward to because it meant that no matter how much life treated us a little meh, we’d get our chance to just kick it somewhere awesome. As such, as great as the vacation time was, it was the actual family vacation destination that really became key to having a good time. What good is a break from the real world when you’re traveling somewhere that’s not very fun.
But, of course, the world kind of went into a bit of a tailspin this year, making traveling much tougher if not darn near impossible. Still, there looks to be some light at the end of this very long, dark period, which may mean that the family vacation might be back on again. With fingers crossed, that means it’s also time to start thinking about the places we’d LOVE to go.
Traveling with the family, though, is not easy. Ask anyone who has kids & give them room to talk about the last trip they took. There’s a good chance the trip they took wasn’t as great as it could have been. That’s no fun, and with the beating we’ve all taken this year, traveling needs to be a thing we all look forward to.
If you’re planning a family vacation and aren’t quite sure about the best destination for your & your loved ones, make sure you think about the following:
Variety of Activities – Don’t hang your hat on one really exciting activity while traveling. What happens when you can’t do the thing that your vacation destination is known for? Be sure that your travel planning takes into account the kind of stuff you, your partner, and your kids like to do for fun. Be sure there are things to do throughout the day, and leave a little room for some cool fun in the evening as well.
Keep Things Light – While you’re planning your activities, though, be sure to not over-plan. Vacations are all about relaxation and being “chill”. Keep to a schedule as needed for some stuff, but make sure the stuff you do has some flexibility. Balance touristy stuff with fun stuff, and don’t forget the off-the-cuff, impromptu things that make vacations exciting & memorable.
“Kid” Day – In the vein of keeping things light, designate one day of your vacation as being a “kid” day. This gives your kiddos the opportunity to call the shots a bit. Of course, you need to set some boundaries as to how far this can go, but let your kids pick a cool lunch spot. Maybe they really want to hang out in a local park instead of the museum. It’s all about letting your kids have some ownership on the family vacation.
Budget – Keeping track of the amount of money you spend while traveling isn’t something anyone wants to think about, but it’s inevitable & necessary. Picking the right vacation destination can’t be beyond your means, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t find the perfect place. Put together a list of things you’d like your vacation to include & see which of the places under consideration can deliver while not leaving your wallet too light.
Travel experts and family relationship gurus all agree, however, that the best way to choose a family vacation that pleases everyone is to actually get everyone’s input. It’s that simple – make sure everyone in your family can put in their two cents. Sure, there’s a good chance that eating candy for breakfast & ice cream for dinner might not work, but maybe it means that meal planning on the road should be fun & played a little loose. A good trip is only as good as the fun everyone has, so let the kiddos in on the process. You might be pleasantly surprised!
Martin Wynn
