How to Plan the Best Vacation for Your Family (That All Ages Will Love)
Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure to learn more.
Image by rawpixel.com
By Daniel Sherwin of Dad Solo
Family Travel
Planning the Best Vacation for All Ages
Planning the Best Vacation for All Ages
Traveling is a rewarding experience, but what happens when you add children to the mix? Going anywhere can take ten times as long, and you can expect a bit of frustration no matter the age of your children. But there are ways to plan a fun vacation that’s easy on mom and dad, too. Eat Wander Explore presents some tips to help you make that happen.
Image by rawpixel.com
Relax About Technology Use
Plopping your infant in front of a screen may not be the best idea. But for preschoolers and up, technology can offer a reprieve from travel-day stress. For an antsy child on a plane or in a car, having something to watch can help them zone out and relax.
For teens, you can even encourage learning opportunities as well as facilitate entertainment options. Buying a youth-friendly laptop is an excellent way to provide educational games plus shows and movies. A computer can be used for schoolwork, too, which is a good rule to establish when you hand your teen the Wi-Fi password. Before you buy, check out laptops that are lightweight, durable, and have plenty of storage for downloading movies and games.
If your child uses your phone to watch movies or play games during your trip, consider purchasing a good screen protector that can help shield your device from scratches or cracks due to accidental drops or damage. This is especially useful if your child hasn’t learned just how fragile these gadgets can be.
Image by rawpixel.com
Try Audiobooks for Some Escapism (and Good Discussion)
For adults and teens who love reading, books can be an escape. And who needs an escape more than a child stuck in the car for a six-hour road trip? Parents can enjoy audiobooks, too, and there are plenty of titles that appeal to the whole family.
You can use a service to download books or purchase your favorites on CD. Another option is to visit your local library and pick some out for the trip. Just make sure to download them before you depart—or invest in a portable Wi-Fi hotspot for connectivity.
Image by rawpixel.com
Plan Activities for All Ages
If you have an infant, they won’t care what activities you do—as long there’s milk and someone’s arms to nap in. But for bigger kids, it can be hard to choose activities that are ideal for a large age range. At the same time, the best way to ensure the trip is fun for everyone is to plan something each group enjoys.
For example, if you’re going to a theme park, make sure the younger kids have plenty of rides and attractions to choose from. Or, you can plan on bigger kids having their own adventure with one parent while the other sticks with the little ones for nap time.
And from theme parks like Legoland in California—with activities for ages two to 12—to Universal Orlando in Florida, which has Harry Potter for the teens and small-scale rides for the younger set—there’s truly something for all ages at most places.
Photo by Asad Photo Maldives from Pexels
Prioritize the Hotel Accommodations
Wherever you’re traveling, you might think that your hotel room will just be a place to lay your head. But with a family, that’s not entirely accurate. Especially if you’re traveling with an infant, you need plenty of space for gear and stowing diapers, wipes, and more. With teens, you need space for everyone to stretch out and have their alone time.
Therefore, it’s important that you don’t skimp on the hotel accommodations. Think of it as your base to explore from, and the place to return to when your kids (or you!) need a break. Travel Mamas recommends focusing on the location—proximity to your favorite attractions is vital—plus on-site breakfast options, childcare, and other conveniences when booking a room.
Photo by Victoria Borodinova from Pexels
Get Your Car Ready to Go
Lastly, make sure that the family car is ready for a road trip. This involves checking your tires, changing the oil, and making sure everything is in good working order. You should also put together a car emergency kit with a quart of oil, blankets, snacks, and other essentials that will come in useful if the car breaks down during your trip. To make sure you’re getting the right gear for your car, check out websites that provide honest reviews about different car-related items and guides on how to do things like change a tire.
The best vacations with kids result from smart planning and a relaxed attitude. The better you prepare for your trip, the better the time everyone will have—including mom and dad. Happy travelers make a memorable vacation, no matter what age your children are.
Additional Information
If you’re looking for tips and advice about your next travel adventure, Eat Wander Explore has all the bases covered. Explore our website today!
Thank you VERY much for reading our article. We actually created this website to help people reach financial independence. Did you know that by having a remote job and traveling endlessly, or living in a country that has low costs of living, you can actually reach retirement quicker? Plus, retirement abroad is up to 75 percent cheaper as well! Learn more by exploring our website: EatWanderExplore and REmotiFIRE.
See our Thank You page to sign up for our free weekly newsletter - you’ll receive only 1 email per week letting you know about our latest travel articles, remote-work life, and amazingly affordable destinations!
Found this post useful? Buy us a coffee to help support this site’s running costs OR share this article with a friend.
