If you’re organising a family trip then you’re likely feeling two things; excitement at the thought of spending quality time exploring new places with your family and overwhelming dread at the planning and logistical nightmare. Traveling with a family requires 5 times the planning, and this figure goes up when there are kids coming along on the trip.
Here are preparation tips on how to make the trip fun and memorable instead of disastrous.
PACKING
One of the first and trickiest things to do when planning is packing. Packing too much or too little, or packing the wrong things…they all have consequences.
The first thing to remember about packing is to make a list of all the things you’ll need on the trip. Then pack them well ahead of time starting with the things you don’t use every day and can afford to pack. Since it’s a family trip, a good idea is to have everyone else make a list of what they’ll need to pack and combine all these lists into one super list.
Here are tips on how to pack a suitcase in a way that maximizes space:
- Roll your clothes instead of folding them. This way there’ll be more space for all your clothes, picking out one item won’t mess up the others, and rolled clothes have fewer wrinkles than folded clothes.
- Shoes take up a lot of space, so stuff small things like jewelry, ties, socks, and underwear in them to make up for it. Then pack them on their sides.
- Use the bundle method where you fill a pouch with soft clothes then wrap larger clothes around the pouch to make a bundle.
- Try helpful products like packing cubes, packing folders, or expandable bags.
- Zip up your suitcase, then sit on it. This will compress the clothes and give way to more space.
TRANSPORTATION
Having a great time on a family trip also depends on picking the right mode of transportation and preparing for it.
By Air
If you’re traveling via plane, book your plane tickets ahead of time. This will allow you time to look for cheaper flights that offer family discounts or kid discounts in order to save you money. Try to book an early morning departure, as there are fewer crowds and shorter departure times.
Also, because it’s early in the morning the kids will most likely still be tired from being up early and nap on the plane. Definitely avoid flights with long layovers.
By Road
Family road trips can be lots of fun. But the confined space could also mean more conflicts because there are more people. Before the trip, look up the best route on your GPS. You need to know the fastest, safest, way to get to your destination. Also, a road trip means you’ll take longer to get to your destination, so make sure to plan pit stops.
Consider traveling in an RV. Going on a family road trip in an RV is not only a super fun experience but also a super cheap one. Think of all the fun camping activities! Before you embark on the trip with your RV it is important that you consult RV travel guides so that you know what to expect and the right items you’ll need to purchase for a smooth trip. You’re literally saving on hotel costs because the RV is both a car and a home.
RESEARCH LOCATIONS
There’s nothing worse on a vacation than spending time and money to get to a location and being extremely disappointed by it. If you’re in charge of planning the family vacation, avoid the potential angry looks from your family and arguments breaking out by researching locations before you commit to visiting them.
Researching includes reading online reviews to make sure places are safe, clean, and kid-friendly. You wouldn’t want to subject small children (or yourself for that matter) to the view at a nudist beach because you didn’t do your research. It also includes finding out the admittance prices of site visits beforehand. This way you can budget for them, book a place online in advance and even find family discounts or children discounts.
BE FLEXIBLE
While you should absolutely have a detailed plan and itinerary for the family trip it’s best to leave a few gaps. It’s tempting to keep every single day action-packed in an attempt to see all the sights and experience all the feelings, but resist this temptation. Instead, schedule time for resting and just lazing about. A relaxed family is more likely to bond with each other.
Also, the best adventures are not planned. Leave a day or two where you ask the locals about the best spots to visit and the best restaurants to eat at. Or simply spend that day intentionally getting lost and figuring out your way back together.
BRING SNACKS
Not just for the kids, but everyone else. It’s scientifically proven that people are more prone to unpleasant emotions like anger and being judgmental when they’re hungry. To facilitate a pleasant family trip, pack enough snacks to last the trip because it’s unlikely there’ll be snacks readily available at every location when anyone needs them. This comes in handy especially if a family member has food allergies or if you’re trying to eat more healthy food as a family.
This includes fluids, especially water. If you’re traveling by car there’ll, unfortunately, be more stopping for the bathroom, but it’s important to stay hydrated.
Packing your own snacks and beverages will save your budget, because rest stops, food joints, and restaurants can be very expensive.
BRING ENTERTAINMENT
Children have very short attention spans and a lot of energy. They’re also not easily impressed by things like picturesque sunsets. It’s best to pack a few of their favorite things like toys, coloring pages, or an iPad with their favorite shows for when they get fidgety and threaten to ruin the trip for the adults.
Pack entertainment for the adults too. You won’t want to be on the move chasing the next breathtaking sunset or climbing hills to the top every single time. So remember to pack things like board games, puzzles, cards, or interesting books for downtime. Playing games together will also be a cherished memory from the trip. It’s not all about swimming with sharks.
Family trips to spend quality time with family should be a priority. Your trip will either end in tears and possibly trauma or cherished memories. It all depends on planning and preparation!