A family vacation can be a fabulous chance to bond with your kids. Normally, work, school, and extracurricular activities can get in the way of dedicated family time. On a trip, you have all day to relax and explore together. You can expose your children to new experiences and cultures, too. It can be exciting to be in novel places and in the midst of all the hustle and bustle. When you’re in new environments, though, you have to keep your kids’ needs in mind. Read on to discover five travel tips for having a successful family vacation whatever your destination.
1. Use Safety-Oriented Tech
Though you may want to unplug on your vacation, the right technology can be beneficial. Did you ever experience getting left at a gas station bathroom as a kid? Or did you ever look up while on a trip and realize you had inadvertently wandered off? Those memories stick with you and are scary moments for parents and kids alike. Remember that your childhood was a different time; today you can use tech as a safety net.
From early elementary on, child-friendly devices can let your kids feel independent while giving you peace of mind. A GPS tracker for kids, for instance, allows you to see where your kids are at all times. That’s a relief when your family is traversing a crowded airport or wandering through a labyrinthine museum. Some models even allow you and your child to call each other via the device.
2. Pack With Kid Needs in Mind
Traveling as a family can be a great time. It can also be a little daunting making sure everyone has what they need. Depending on where you’re traveling and the ages of your kids, you may need to pack more in the way of essentials. If your kiddo is still on formula, pack enough for the whole trip. Especially given recent shortages, you might not be able to buy the brands they are accustomed to where you’re going.
Some children have sensitivities to unfamiliar soaps or diapers, so having what they are used to is vital. Nothing is worse than a rashy, grumpy baby. If your kids take any medications, make sure you pack enough for the entire vacation so they don’t miss a dose. Being prepared with prescriptions and necessary over-the-counter medicines will help your child stay well.
3. Be Flexible
Traveling alone or as a couple never felt so easy until you go on that first trip as a family. Now you have a family’s worth of needs to consider, from “Will they eat French food?” to “Did they pack enough undies?” You may have a well-curated itinerary for the trip, but now you’re on little people time. To travel successfully as a family, flexibility is key.
Your trip schedule might revolve around nap times and when your littles need to eat. Forcing your art museum march on preschool bodies will just make for an exhausting time for everyone. Know that not everything will go according to plan. It’s about spending time together and having new experiences. Your kid might love the park across from your hotel more than the zoo, and that’s OK.
4. Recognize That Travel Is About More than the Destination
While you might hope to plan the trip of a lifetime, each vacation is about more than the destination. Being together as a family and being out in the world is something your kids will always remember. The younger you start taking children on trips, the more they will adapt to being on the go. It’s like taking your little ones to a restaurant. If they get used to it, they often are better behaved than the older kid who goes for the first time.
As children travel and experience different places and different types of people, their worldview expands. It lets them see that there is more to life than their own neighborhood. And it can help create a sense they are part of something larger than themselves. As they get older, they will likely feel more empowered to get out there and make adventures for themselves.
5. Pick Something for Everyone
While you have to be flexible on family trips, make sure everyone is an equal part of the journey. One day, you can choose an attraction that appeals to the parents. Other days, make sure there’s at least one activity that is special for each kid — this will promote buy-in for the trip. The fact that different family members get to set the daily agenda helps teach patience and turn taking. More than that, it shows your kids the value of doing things for others even if it’s not their favorite option.
Kids tend to consider life through their own eyes. Observing Dad’s love for trains and getting to experience that with him can be eye-opening. Seeing art that Mom likes might ignite a new passion in your little one, too. Maybe they will discover a new interest that is mutually enjoyable. Ensuring the vacation truly offers something for everyone will make your family excited for the next trip, too.
Some might say, “Oh, don’t travel with kids — what a nightmare!” Nothing could be further from the truth. Family vacations can be a great time to unplug and forge strong family bonds. So get your kids out and experience the world together. It doesn’t have to break the bank to have wonderful times and create lasting memories as a family.
