Family Vacation Ideas:
Nature & Outdoor Adventures
Some families use vacation time to relax on a stretch of sand near the ocean or the shore of a serene lake, while others like to get out in the world. They go camping, hiking, biking, or horseback riding; experience the wonders of the world by climbing in caves, zipping around on zip lines, or skydiving; explore strange places by visiting a national park, antique store, or wildlife refuge; or simply enjoy everything offered in an alpine town. Most of these vacations have the same essential element: nature. Nature activities are a great way for families to have fun and develop bonds while becoming less dependent on technology and busy schedules. Here is a sampling of family vacations focusing on nature and outdoor adventures. Get ideas for more by perusing lists of family-friendly activities.
If your kids are like most children, they see a cow on a commercial but aren’t familiar with the sight, smell, and taste of a genuine dairy farm. They’ve visited, or at least seen pictures of, the beach but have yet to feel its warm sand crumbling around their toes, hear the waves splashing, or taste the salty air. National parks, state parks, and monuments offer the opportunity to visit and learn about such places and introduce your children to the type of nature they don’t encounter in their backyards. You can take just a day or two to visit a park or plan a longer trip, stopping to experience what each has to offer on your way to the Pacific Ocean or whether you are heading to the Rocky Mountains. Many families choose summer for such vacations, although spring and fall can be great times to visit national parks if the weather permits. Because of heavy tourist traffic and school vacations, summer is the busiest season for national parks, so you’ll find more crowds, longer lines, limited camp or hotel availability, and higher prices.
1.1. National Park Road Trip
What would be better than enjoying a week or two in nature, away from the hustle and bustle of tourism? What about visiting one of the beautiful National Parks spread all over the country? Imagine the fun to take a road trip with the kids, experiencing some of the most stunning views, at the same time getting to recreate some of the most beautiful postcards. National Parks are awe-inspiring and fun to visit!
Take a road trip to one or more National Parks, and visit some of the great parks in your area. For example, make some reservations and enjoy Custer State Park in South Dakota, Badlands National Park, and Mount Rushmore, which are all located just a few hours away from each other, in one of the most beautiful road trips in the country. Get your cameras ready to take pictures of majestic bison roaming on the roads of the Custer State Park, and hikes on the spectacular scenery of the Badlands National Park. What would be better than taking the famous photo of a family vacation on the road with the backdrop of one of the Four Faces of Mount Rushmore! Spend a filled week in South Dakota National Parks, and if time permits, take a further trip up to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.
1.2. Beach Vacation
When I think back to my childhood family vacations, the ones that pop to mind are all beach-related trips. There’s something about the atmosphere at the beach — the salty air, the ocean breeze, the way the sound of waves crashes onto shore — that transports me back to my happy childhood, where my biggest concern was not getting sunburnt after spending all day in the sun and sand. Because I have such fond memories of vacations spent at the beach, it is a tradition that I hope to carry on with my own family one day. Fortunately, there are many beaches near and far that are great for family vacations. While there are endless tropical beaches with palm trees and soft white sands, not all beach vacations have to be taken in the tropics. Cities across the United States are lined with beaches, each offering its own unique atmosphere and activities to enjoy. If you’re strapped for time and don’t want to fly across the world, a beach trip to one within driving distance would be a great place to spend your time away from work.
If you’re looking for sunshine and sand, head to a tropical beach vacation. Is it not warm enough to go to a tropical beach vacation? Don’t worry; there are plenty of beach vacation spots in the continental United States, most likely within driving distance from your home. You can still take a beach vacation without stepping foot in the sand. Outdoor beach activities like windsurfing, jet skiing, beach volleyball, and many other exciting activities can be done on beaches all year round. Want to escape the crowds and touristy beach spots? Go for a remote beach vacation. Picture yourself lounging in a hammock tied between two palm trees, the ocean breeze rustling the leaves, the sound of waves crashing in the background, away from the noise of the city. Sounds nice? A remote beach vacation is exactly what you need.
1.3. Mountain Retreat
Mountain Retreat | Family Vacation Ideas
If you want to experience a different kind of family vacation, consider a mountain retreat. You’ll be surrounded by the beauty of the mountains and fresh air, and there are many fun activities for the whole family to do together. Several popular rustic destinations can provide a variety of activities to choose from, or find a lodge in the mountains, spread out and recharge, then enjoy family activities such as hiking, fishing or horseback riding from your home base. And the best part is that you don’t have to spend a ton of money to enjoy a mountain family vacation. Many lodges offer all-inclusive deals, which can help you budget for meals and activities ahead of time.
There are many great destinations for a mountain retreat in the continental U.S. Whether your family prefers to hike through more rugged areas, explore horseback along wooded trails, fish in lakes, or enjoy quiet luxury in a rustic lodge, the United States has the destination for you. If you want mountains and a lot of family activities in one location, consider the Mammoth Lakes area in California. In the summer, you can fish, hike, and mountain bike while you’re there, and in the winter ski, snowboard, and go snowmobiling. Another great destination for family hiking and fishing activities is the Glacier National Park area in Montana. This beautiful area is known for bears and other wildlife, so hiking can be particularly exciting!
2. Theme Parks & Entertainment
Theme parks are designed to simulate fictional realities and provide a wide range of entertainment attractions. The word theme park is most often associated with amusement parks that are based on a central theme. Many popular, larger amusement parks are like Disneyland, based on a fantasy theme and provide a fantasy experience for visitors. However, others like Universal Studios Hollywood and Movie World are based on director’s theme and are more dedicated to motion pictures and provide an experience related to Hollywood. Cedar Fair’s Cedar Point and Six Flags theme parks primarily focus on thrill rides. For tourists, theme parks are the primary tourist attractions and the most visited tourist sites. In addition to the rides, theme parks include amenities like hotels, restaurants, and functions as entertainment delegation centers. Theme parks have a close association with the film industry through 5D cinema, restaurants themed with films and characters from films.
A major amusement park is usually a themed version of a small amusement park or a collection of midway carnival rides. Disney is credited with being the first to create the concept of the theme park in 1955, when he opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California. This had the novelty value of being owned and operated by the film company, and of being based on its characters and films. The rides were themed on cartoons such as Dumbo, Snow White, and Pinocchio but not the film itself. Disneyland pioneered the concept of tightly themed areas based on such things as fictional states, popular books, movies, and TV programs. It combined amusements, spectacles, and a full entertainment experience that extended way beyond the traditional amusement park. Disneyland had a huge set of realistic and opulent buildings, trained actors impersonating popular characters, a fantastic train, and elaborate rides that lasted longer than the traditional boring minute or so of an amusement park ride. Most original Disneyland rides had themes or checked board characters.
3. International Family Trips
International family trips can be more adventurous but also more complicated. Along the way, though, your family will learn a lot. Travel broadens the mind, and children reap the benefits if an adventure is well-timed, organized, and well planned. When your child is older, or has even left home for college, this is an excellent time to go on a family trip abroad. Children have been exposed to a greater life experience than when they were younger. A family trip for an older family can focus on family history and getting to know different cultures. Or just some family bonding time in a lovely setting, away from all of life’s distractions, is all anyone needs. 3.1. Where to Go: Japan. Japan is a great first family trip abroad. Japan fits the adventure need of most everything unusual, while providing a safe and comfortable environment. Japanese are extremely polite people and childhoods below about 12-15 years old and the elderly get the most attention from everyone. 3.2. Italy. Italy is another great family trip winner. The history is over the top. Italy is the one place a family can retrace steps taken in history class. The food is fantastic. Pizza, pasta, bread, gelato. Who would have thought one trip could fill your family’s stomachs and heads full of memories? Italy is also a great place for family trips focusing on religion. 3.3. Morocco. Morocco is a great exotic family trip where the children can experience totally different lifestyles. Morocco is predominantly a Muslim country which means observing the traditions, habits and rules when you are there. However, the Western world is now considered civilized and asking questions is okay. This can be an adventure for the more adventurous. Most Moroccans are patient and want to assist you if they see you are lost or confused. 3.4. Spain. Spain is another exciting family trip destination with many things to see and do. The architecture is like no other place in the world; the beaches can’t be beaten, and the Spanish people are outgoing and helpful. Spanish is a great second language. Children love to learn different languages when they travel abroad. They feel special being able to communicate with the locals. Spanish, among other languages, can be learned before you go. 3.5. Portugal. Portugal is another exotic family trip where everything is, again, different. It is a bit more economical than some of the other places in Europe. It is like a smaller version of Spain and is easily manageable with children. You can do as much or as little as you want. It is also a great place for some family bonding time away from distractions. Sit back and enjoy the food, beaches, and sightseeing. 3.6. Australia or New Zealand. Going to the other side of the world is a big adventure. Ao all of you, make sure any long airplane trip fits into your family trip plans. Australia and New Zealand have unusual animals that will amaze children. Both of these faraway places have beautiful sights with easy access and are great family vacation destinations.
3.1. Japan
When I visited Japan, I was an adult on my own, not a kid. Still, it’s the only country that has blown me away so much that I can’t wait to return with Mini! So imagine how it would be like for little children. And you know what? A cousin of mine visited Japan last month with a three-year-old and a five-year-old, and he came back all smiles and full of wonderful memories. So Japan remains my number one international trip idea for a family with children of any age – babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers, and older kids. Who wouldn’t want to see Japan during early cherry blossom season, or when the maple trees turn bright red in December? What’s more, after a stressful year, we all need a little happiness dose, and Japan is one of the happiest nations in the world.
When you think about kids and Japan, what comes to mind? Cute cartoon-like characters. Funny tube-like characters and even funnier cat characters. And what do all those characters stem from? Fun-filled amusement parks! Kids-love-entertainment has been elevated to a high degree of sophistication in Japan. And it’s not just amusement parks; the fun element is at the core of Japanese culture. You don’t need to be a kid in Japan to have fun. You could be anyone – a baby, a toddler, a kid, a teenager, an adult, or even an old grandpa or grandma. Family travel plan – Sunny beaches are all well and good, but how about having fun at international family travel destinations like Japan, Italy, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, or Australia? Our family travel will focus on Japan for now, and other countries will follow.
3.2. Italy
From the canals of Venice to the quaint villages of Tuscany, from the Duomo of Milan to the Colosseum of Rome, Italy is an explosion of sights and experiences for visitors of all ages. Choose one region to explore in depth, or several as you travel through the country via train. A major hub, Milan, has flights from many of the world’s largest cities. Venice is best for visiting the unique canals of this historic city. Rome is best for enjoying the historic Roman temples and buildings. Florence is best for visiting Michelangelo’s David and the art of the Renaissance.
Italy has some of the best food in the world, from classic pizza to richly filled pasta. It has unique and beautiful cities with historic architecture, as well as many smaller towns that invite you to slow down and enjoy the view. Even the big cities aren’t so large that they can’t be enjoyed at a relaxed pace by families or have fun activities to occupy children. You can enjoy roaring fountains in Rome, learn about the historic Venetian canals, or dip your toes in the Mediterranean at Rimini Beach, famous with tourists from all over Europe. The excitement and energy of this famous city will fascinate kids and parents alike. Enjoy riding a gondola, kids’ puppet shows, and the city’s adorable bridges. Throughout the entire country, children will enjoy licking gelato. In Italy, family gatherings are celebrated with traditional holiday meals filled with tasty food. Everyone will feel welcomed.
3.3. Morocco
Once a destination for intrepid travelers only, Morocco is now an increasingly easy and popular place for a family vacation. Tourism in Morocco receives impressive support, and security has improved since the early 1990s. This North African Islamic country offers enticingly foreign culture, intriguing ancient cities, and accessible desert scenery. Morocco is sensibly and tunefully foreign, unlike the touristy overstimulation of other destinations, where one can also wander into the world’s greatest desert but may feel strangled by excessive invitation and discomforting income disparity.
Realistic family tours can now range from three to ten days, taking in steamy Marrakesh and a nearby Berber village in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, funky Fez, and/or the sand dunes of planned itineraries with a shop and photography stops, often traveling at least some of their Moroccan miles by car or minivan, are smart ways to work on contrasting such city-based experiences as the souk, the tanners’ quarter, and the various medina monuments. If your children are several years older than toddlers, some weeks based in Marrakesh, Fez, or Berchidel or looping through the desert can yield some travel duds, some traditional pedestrian highlights, and lots of fun. Walking in rural hills in the spring, venturing into the hot desert, and camping in the winter, when it is cold enough to discourage discomfort, can be magical.
3.4. Spain
When one thinks of Spain, a whole world of wonderful imageries comes to mind, from the spectacular flamenco shows to exotic Moorish architecture, from sophisticated modern cities to quaint castles – all taking one swoon over the beauty of this magnificent country. Traveling to Spain can truly be a once in a lifetime exhilarating experience that you will always cherish. Add to it the delicious Spanish cuisine, and you will be truly mesmerized. Spain boasts of the culinary creativity of the Basques, the paella of Valencia, the rice dishes of Andalusia, and the fabulous seafood of Galicia, not to mention its many delectable wines. While you’re hopping from country to country, from city to city, take the time to savor every single dish in Spain. There are a galaxy of attractions for families in Spain ranging from art, culture, and medieval history to architecture. Fans will want to see the museum and tour the stadium, but sports lovers will adore the nearby museum. Those interested in Spanish culture and history should visit remarkable services like La Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell, and the museum. Exploring the wild Costa Brava, with its diversion of towering cliffs, picturesque bays, and sandy beach dunes, is as fascinating as shopping on Mar, Barcelona’s grand avenue, where the railroads of the great Catalan architectural market and the Gothic cathedral are located. A few other important cities to visit in Spain are Seville and Granada. Children will be fascinated with the Moorish palace in Granada and the contemporary stadium in Madrid.
3.5. Portugal
On the beautiful banks of the Tagus River lies Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, a maiden harbor city, boasting an entire treasure of monuments that receive tourists from every corner of the world. Lisbon is one of Europe’s oldest cities and only a short flight away from the East Coast of the USA. A perfect city to shop, seek out unique foods, and explore narrow cobblestoned streets filled with old charm. In addition to Lisbon, the Must See cities in Portugal include Sintra, Cascais, Estoril, Évora, and Algarve. Portugal focuses on being a land of simple pleasures and unaffordable luxury – great gastronomy, a unique and fascinating culture, and safe and polite people. It has the fastest growing tourist market and is the new en vogue holiday destination.
Portugal offers amazing experiences for all family members. Dotted with old castles and fortresses, lovely churches, pretty towns and romantic villages, visitors feel like being thrown back in time, while sumptuous palaces built from glorious wealth offer a glimpse into the life of kings and queens. Even today, the Portuguese are among the friendliest people in the world. Their easy-going and fun-loving nature will make you feel welcome, and should you encounter any difficulties, you can always count on their help. Vacationing in Portugal will guarantee an enjoyable family time together. Portugal is a small country and distances are not long, so it is quite easy to visit the tourist attractions listed in this itinerary. Portugal offers a great combination of things to do, from beaches and caves in Algarve, mountains and history in Sintra, Lisbon and Cascais, palaces and castles in Estoril, to beautiful architecture, great shopping and visitors attractions in Lisbon.
3.6. Australia or New Zealand
Why do parents hurry to grow their children while living hours away from the land of happiness? It doesn’t make sense to grab this moment of our bestowed existence and rush past it, just so little William can have a two-week vacation on the beach corral free. That said, even the best parents need a little me time, every now and then. These waiters that squash the last crumb of indulgent selfishness while proving to be flexible with their timetable, are then rewarded with clever insightful children. Everybody is happy. Who said a transglobal vacation with the little rascals isn’t possible? But please not all at once! Just a couple at a time.
I would suggest once in a lifetime trip to either Australia or New Zealand with the children. Don’t try to squeeze them into a trip that lasts more than 14 hours and a non-stop flight. Start small with a couple of unique vacations. And there you will be grateful if daddy and oldest sister can make it convening with everybody on the exclusive beaches around great reef. Or you take the kids and experience the kangaroos hopping past you on your way to the Hungry Duck Café in Port Melbourne. Or you are in Sydney and kids are photographing their mom holding a koala in Taronga Zoo. Or say imagine the little ones on a test drive in the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne? Or in New Zealand clambering into the exotic caves of Waitomo? Catching an exotic fish in fishing central at Mount Cook National Park?
4. Unique Experiences
Every family is unique and each of you has your own preferences and interests. If you weren’t born to be a beach family, the idea of whiling away your family summer vacation stretched out on the sand may be a little uninspiring. Don’t worry. Family vacations need not be traditional! There are plenty of unique family vacation ideas that can satisfy the taste of every member of your family. Cruises, ranch vacations, or even volunteering holidays can give you a lifetime of memories.
Cruise Vacation
With all the unique travel options these days, more and more families are choosing to cruise. They show up at a port, board a floating hotel, unpack, and then set off for truly unique travel experiences. No wonder cruise vacations have become popular with families. On a cruise, all the work is done for you, from meals to activities for both young and grown-up travelers. You can do together as a family or join up with others to share an experience. You can also choose a different activity each day to suit each family member’s interests, be it relaxing on a beach, hiking, snorkeling, or making dinner out of something you just caught at sea. Being onboard allows you to regroup before tackling the next adventure. In fact, cruising is a perfect first-time family adventure.
Farm Stay or Ranch Vacation
Farm stays and ranch vacations immerse you in a region’s nature and culture. You have some fun as you help out, then watch the sun set as the day finishes. There’s nothing as lovely or delicious as coming together outdoors with flowers, meat, and vegetables from the surrounding areas or right outside your door. You can also learn some valuable skills, from fishing to butter making. And the best part is that the kids get to unplug. They need to avoid computers, television, and phone calls since they’ll be helping out with the chores!
4.1. Cruise Vacation
Some cruise lines feature small ships designed to be more family-friendly. More than one cruise line has a distinct Pirate Night, complete with pirate garb for the kids which you can purchase on board. Fulfill your child’s dream of being a pirate for a night or just let them dress up like one for some fun family photos. Cruise lines have activities as diverse as mini-golf, surfing, skydiving and bumper cars. Whether your family loves adventure or you need a relaxing cruise, there are cruise lines with something geared toward your family’s needs. Go whale watching, kayaking, salmon fishing or nature cruising in Alaska at ports of call for cruise lines. Some cruise lines make the ports their ships visit as much a part of the cruise experience as the cruise itself. Don’t forget cruise lines who pioneered the river cruise experience, as well as others for smaller river cruises that are great for the whole family. Some cruise lines have exotic vacation sailings on authentic sailing ships. Other cruise lines also feature beautiful ships with lots of amenities for a cruise with grandpa. Explore family-friendly shore excursions with cruise lines and see if any jump out at you. Visit the Tikal Mayan ruins in Guatemala, snorkel in the Caribbean, see volcanoes and waterfalls in Costa Rica and more. Celebrate a holiday at sea or at one of the spectacular destinations cruises visit. From Thanksgiving dinner on a cruise ship to using a cruise as a hotel while you visit Disneyland, cruises can help your family celebrate simply while exploring the world together.
4.2. Farm Stay or Ranch Vacation
Children love animals, and a farm is a magical place where they can interact with animals in their natural environment. Enrolling kids in activities like brushing horses, milking cows, or gathering eggs and understanding the importance of these activities could make a lasting impact on their individual growth. Many farms allow children to spend time with newborn animals and teach them to feed the baby goats or buggy the baby calves using a cart. What could be a better vacation than strolling in a huge barn with baby equines that stick their little noses out? Or carrying trays full of food by driving tractor scoops or a barrel wagon full of topdressing to keep the best broodmares for the winter? Enjoy feeding chickens and gathering eggs. Enjoy milking cows, especially the newborn pampered calves on grain bottles. For rides, mounted pony rides or hay rides always steal the show. Barn hunt sows are available for kids to explore and learn about different kinds of animals. It’s normal for horses to get bored. Kids at this age like to understand things. Even silly children’s play games, such as my horse is better than yours or I will wash your mini horse, are welcome. No one gets upset about animals running loose while kids play together. Family tradition bonds are refreshed. Meals are served hot and fresh at large tables, and everyone sits together. Enough dessert usually wipes the memory of any disastrous grooming session. The children love it so much that they think they’re hearing a bedtime song again if they get a tractor ride to fall asleep. Camp is considered a success if the kids roll into deep sleep at dinnertime with smiles, willing to get up in time for breakfast and ride to cows, but the camera shows a different story. Fortunately, there is another year. There is still the opportunity to remove the noise by returning the adult children to camp to volunteer for their children.
4.3. Volunteering Trip (Voluntourism)
Volunteering Trip (Voluntourism)
Would you like to contribute to something bigger while traveling with your family? Voluntourism offers some unique family vacation ideas! Voluntourism, or a volunteer vacation, is a growing type of travel that allows you to use your visit to a different country to give back to the community. Your family can help in areas such as caring for and helping educate the underprivileged, helping animals, help build schools and other facilities, and help with community development.
You may wonder how to plan a volunteer vacation. The first thing you want to determine is what group of people or area you are interested in helping. For example, do you want to help the elderly, youth, or animals? Are you interested in helping people in a different country or at home? Once you decide on which area you would like to volunteer with, the next step would be to research organizations that plan family-friendly volunteer vacations. You can escort native people and even assist in rebuilding their community after a natural disaster. Be sure to check reviews from previous volunteers and be wary of organizations that ask for much more than others so that you don’t get ripped off.
Some destinations to consider for this type of family vacation idea are Africa, Australia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ecuador, India, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Thailand. Each of these areas has various reputable organizations that will help coordinate fun and rewarding family volunteer trips. With some careful research, you can have a fun-filled and life-changing experience!
5. City Trips with Kids
When you think of forgetting about daily life and letting yourself be carried away with your kids by the magic of travel, you won’t necessarily think of a bustling city with a lot of traffic and noise each day! Well, yes, you can also travel to the city with children! A family city trip will allow you to visit famous landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, the London Eye or Trafalgar Square. Children will appreciate it enormously! Using public transport is also funny and your brood may well take the opportunity to visit a museum, theater or do a bit of shopping. Photos of these urban family holidays will also please you for a long time.
In New York City, masala dosa is served to you, a pure South Indian specialty, as well as shepherd’s pie, the traditional pie from Northern Ireland! Did you know that the biggest Chinese New Year parade outside of Asia is being held in New York? I can tell you that your children will be amazed by the parade of dragons, lions, fireworks and candied fruits!
In London, a city where rain is never far away, craft stores and quirky little cafes attract kids looking for something fun to do. Mummy and Daddy can indulge in a shopping spree, or take a boat trip on the Thames and visit the Tower of London with its terrifying Beefeaters. Simply leave Kensington Gardens or St. James Park to relax in the middle of the big city. There’s nothing like watching squirrels playing around!
Toronto or Vancouver! Go on a city adventure trip with your children to discover these two Canadian capital cities. New attraction at the cash register? The CityPass to save on cheap tickets to the big attractions is available in both towns. The nifty little ones will be delighted to have a holiday in the snowy mountains and will spend their days sledding, skiing, snowboarding, or having snowball fights. You can also go dog sledding. An exceptional experience to share with the family.
5.1. New York City
Cozy houses and courtyards, adventure playgrounds, storytelling, and activities designed for toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary kids are not what one expects to find in New York City. But these spaces and programs do exist, making family-friendly vacations in New York City possible. Essential for a family visit to New York City are parks, playgrounds, and shop window displays, especially children’s shop window displays. The displays are made each holiday season, featuring miniature scenes of life-sized toy stores, complete with toy train scenes and live mice scurrying about in this zoo of fantasy that a New York store window is.
Some of New York’s favorite family-friendly museums have play areas with imaginative structure where young children can have a ball. Many have extensive collections of dolls, dollhouses, trains, blocks, and toy displays or fun hands-on exhibits. The Coney Island amusement park, with the famed Wonder Wheel, was devastated by Hurricane Sandy. A small part of the amusement park reopened in the summer of 2013. The rides at Luna Park are not as extensive as they once were, but the beach itself, the boardwalk with its stores and eateries, and grocery stores selling kosher herring, are as colorful as New York gets, especially in the summer. Also on Coney Island is a minor league baseball park that became home to the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2001. Here stadium hamburgers and hot dogs are served and the crowds cheer for the local boys. In summer, fireworks are set off on Friday nights.
If you plan to visit New York City with your little ones, set aside part of your vacation time for visiting one or more of our favorite kid-friendly museums in the city. A guided or self-guided walk around Central Park can make for a fun and relaxing family vacation itinerary. There are two safari-style playgrounds, a castle-like structure, a gigantic bronze statue of Alice in Wonderland, and both a lake and a small zoo with seals, polar bears, and turtles.
5.2. London
With its great museums, impressive sights, and charming royal history, London has to be the greatest city in the world for a family holiday. But all the grandiosity does come with a small price: most hotels are either hideously expensive or in locations too far from the main attractions you’ll be visiting. Look out for apartment hotels which in many cases offer fully furnished self-catering facilities and pay-at-check-in booking rules. The other way around the hotel problem is to go out into the nearby counties, where you can find charming villages and fun historical attractions, à la daytrip.
Once you settle in central London, here are essential stops that should please everyone. The British Museum has maintained a truly impressive collection of archaeological wonders, which attract millions of visitors each year. And unlike most other great collections in the world, this one is free of admission. Just as collection-rich is the British Museum’s younger sibling, the National Gallery; and the famous Natural History Museum, which contains many interesting exhibits on how life appeared and survived on our planet. If kids are less into collections, they might be happier visiting the Exploratorium in Kensington, whose touch-and-play philosophy guarantees all family members fun experiences with science at different levels. And finally, London’s open space parks can be quite a change from city bustle at times. No matter what time of the year you go, you are unlikely to make a bad choice in any of the Queen’s parks: Hyde Park, St. James Park, or Kensington Gardens.
5.3. Toronto or Vancouver
Toronto at Christmastime is pretty spectacular, with its snowy streets crammed with shoppers enticed by the twinkling lights and tantalizing decorations. It’s also the warmhearted fun and excitement of the Christmas Market in the Distillery District. They also boast the world’s largest free fireworks show Christmas Eve at Nathan Phillips Square, just in case you aren’t there by family vacation. But Toronto is also so much more than that. It’s a combination of many cultures and ethnic groups crammed together in Canada’s largest city, showcasing everything from a world-class zoo to the world’s tallest tower, plus all the shopping, professional sports, nightlife, theaters, and playing tourist attractions that any big city can muster.
And just like any major city, Toronto initially seems better suited to the adults. But it has its share of kid-friendly activities too, like visiting wildlife at the Toronto Zoo, the Ontario Science Center, the Royal Ontario Museum, and of course the CN Tower. The Toronto Blue Jays, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Raptors, the Toronto Argonauts, and the Toronto FC can be seen. The Toronto International Film Festival is one of the largest film festivals in the world showcasing over 300 films, including some of Hollywood’s biggest releases during peak season, which make the city more desirable.
The city has events and festivals throughout the year for visitors to enjoy. Additionally, there are countless places that visitors can explore, including the Canadian National Exhibition, located near Lake Ontario; the Art Gallery of Ontario; the Hockey Hall of Fame; Center Island; Ontario Place; the Toronto Islands; Canada’s Wonderland amusement park. Toronto is a hub of major foreign films, and it has been featured in quite a few movies due to its fine architecture. There are many beautiful places close to Toronto worth visiting.
5.4. Marrakech
Not only beaches and palm trees – how about a little culture shock? Marrakech is a truly overwhelming experience – especially for kids. Mysterious narrow streets, palaces with enormous gardens and fountains, food stalls at Jemaa el Fna Square, riding on camels – colourful, exotic, lush, smelly, noisy, but nevertheless just wonderful! In Marrakech children will not get bored – not even for one second! The only problem is: How can you take the stress off your legs?
Joschi enjoys doing pilgrimage tours not far away from our hometown on weekends – but one day he expressed his desire to visit a really far-away country – just to get rid of the “boring” weekend hikes he had to put up with for ages. We were searching for an apartment in Marrakech for a long time until we finally found one. Not far away from the Bab Doukkala, it served as our perfect little home for the week. So, let’s go! Finally, we started and moved right into the craziness of Marrakech.
Wouldn’t it have been much easier to lie on a beach with a cocktail? Yes. But Marrakech is definitely worthwhile! After only two experiences, you’ll be able to cross it by yourself. The heavy air filled with the scent of spices and meat hanging over Jemaa el Fna Square will take your breath away. Riding on camels, visiting palaces and gardens – a dream come true! A cameltrekking tour can be arranged. If you’re lucky you’ll be able to see monkeys.
6. Planning Tips
6.1. Involve the Kids in Planning
6.2. Choose Accommodations Wisely
6.3. Book in Advance
7. Packing Tips
Packing is one of the last things you have to do before you start your family vacation. However, it can also be one of the most difficult things on your to-do list. The important thing is to remember that packing doesn’t have to be stressful and it doesn’t have to take a lot of time. The key is to find the packing process that works for your family. These tips for packing should help make accomplishing this last minute task a little easier.
7.1. Homelight but Smart
For some families, packing light is the best approach. For others, a fully packed suitcase gives you peace of mind. Which camp are you in? Either way, you can set some guidelines for the type of packing you’re going to do. For instance, you might just be able to get away with a small suitcase with two pairs of shorts and a swimsuit for a week in the Bahamas. But if you’re going to Italy for two months, you’re probably going to want a bigger suitcase and pack layers to prepare for cool weather. In any case, the key is to decide how much packing space you’ll have for your family vacation and what the weather will be like for your trip. Once you’ve established that information, you can pack accordingly.
While you may have some concerns about forgetting something that you absolutely need on the family vacation, take heart in knowing that people are always available to help you out. As long as you don’t plan on going into the wilds without a toothbrush, you should be able to purchase or borrow the essentials. So, when it comes to packing light, go ahead and put down those extra shoes. Think to yourself, “Do I really need this?” On the other hand, you’ll want to pack smart. Make sure you’re choosing the right items and bringing items upon which you can rely. If you’re still leaning toward a bigger suitcase, make sure you’re bringing items that can be used for multiple outfits to save some space, like sweaters that can go with two or three different pairs of pants.
7.2 Create a Travel Day Kit
Also, when packing, separate out your travel day items into a travel day kit. This should include food involving non-messy snacks, as well as any car or plane activity items (or homework), like portable games, books, and even computers with games or movies to catch their interest and keep them before the actual vacation begins.
7.1. Pack Light but Smart
Packing for a family trip can feel overwhelming. With the right techniques, it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips and family packing lists to help you pack smart, and save room in your suitcase for souvenirs! Traveling is exciting! New places to see, new foods to eat, and new experiences to share. What’s not exciting? Packing. The endless lists, the backaches from lifting heavy bags, attempting once again to master the art of zipping a suitcase! If you are like many people, and the packing process hasn’t gotten any easier after years of family trips, perhaps it’s time to shake it up a little. Hence these tips. Once you clear out your clutter, simplify your accordion files, and gather your reusable large zipper bags, packing a family bag will take you no time at all!
Where should I start? If you’re packing wisely, take a little time before you pack to reflect on your kids’ needs. There are many areas to think about while you make your packing list, but I suggest starting with toiletries, as those are used every day regardless of age. Using the master list, go through your kids’ toiletry bags with your child. If they’re old enough, you should be able to supervise them as they select their favorite items. Ask each child on the trip what they want to have with them, and insist on listening to their opinions. At the same time, emphasize the need to pack light! Have each child scout for items to share, and stress that none of them can pack products for every day away! A family vacation is for trying new things (hopefully!). Assign each child and each adult a heavy-duty quart-sized freezer bag for their shareable products. After toiletries are sorted-list, done-organizing your kids’ clothes is breezy.
7.2. Create a Travel Day Kit
A few days before travel day, make one other kit for each of your family members. This is a kit that will allow everyone to travel comfortably and happily without a dozen rummaging trips into suitcases on the road. Ideally, this bag or backpack will sit in or on your vehicle and contain items that each person will want from the time they finish breakfast until they arrive at their destination. If you have younger kids, it may be a good idea to make separate kits for each one; this way you can pack age-appropriate items and avoid fights. Each kit should have a change of clothes (including underwear) plus a jacket in case you will start in a cool or rainy area. You might also include a blanket for each person if that will make them more comfortable for the drive itself. Snacks lose much of their appeal when kids are hungry, so pack a selection of snacks sure to keep your kids and spouse from getting cranky midway through a boring stretch of road. Bring a couple of magazines, books, crossword or Sudoku puzzles, a sketch pad, and whatever else it will take to keep your family members occupied while they’re in the car with you.
You can load the child-sized DVD player and one or two movies into your day kit, but if you have a larger television/DVD player in your car, think about preparing the feature-length movies you’d like your family to see during the trip and discarding them as you watch them. Load different kinds of things into each kit so that family members won’t be fighting over which one gets to play with a certain item. If you have room for a cooler, pack fresh drinkable water, sodas, or fruit juices. Avoid sodas with a lot of sugar, contact food, and any food or beverage likely to cause car sickness. Everyone will want a way to keep warm, so pack jackets for everyone or take time to load your small car with towels and blankets.
8. Travel Day Tips
Airports tend to be busy and the check in-at times frenetic. Where travelers usually rush to check in their bags, get boarding passes, and line up to scan their bags, see if you can help alleviate some of the stress. If you’re doing curb side check-in, tip the staff, please! Or, designate a family member to guard the check-in area while the rest of the group loads up baggage onto the cart. You can also save on travel time and let the airline travel for you by shipping a few items. Also, don’t forget about parking! If you’re thinking of driving to the airport, allow some extra time for parking and catching a shuttle to the terminal, especially if you have pets or if you’re traveling during a busy travel season.
Make sure to allow some extra time for delays by keeping your schedule flexible. No one wants to miss a flight, especially at holiday time. It can make for a long day, as well as frustrate travelers and airline employees alike. Plan on arriving at the airport a minimum of two hours before your flight departure– long enough to go through security, grab something to eat, and take care of any unpleasantness. Feeling hungry? Try bringing healthy snacks for the kids and yourself, just in case boarding takes longer than expected. If you’re flying with kids, don’t be surprised if they need to find a wide open space to burn off some energy before boarding the plane. Do be aware that only ticketed parties may go through the security line and to the gate, so you may need to swap off with a spouse or other family member if flying with toddlers.
8.1. Arrive Early and Stay Flexible
In your present-day world of travel, stress and hassle are unavoidable. Try the following tips to help reduce the tension for your family as you set off for a destination. Give yourself plenty of time. Arrive before the recommended time to check-in at the airport, and — wrestling with transport security and the airport’s size and layout — at least the same before boarding at the cruise dock or train station. And allow time for weather and traffic conditions. Include snacks and drinks, sound- and sight-proofing devices, favorite activities, new media, and a comfy seat. Again, they will help make the wait for your travel adventure less stressful. In addition to packing snacks and activities for your travel day, think about how you are going to pack yourselves. Before anyone heads for the beach, consider fueling them with a vacation lure: Let them know how nice it would be to be lying in the sand instead of waiting in the airport. Ready to fly away, but stuck here, they will need some extra encouragement to be in a good mood until you make it to your destination.
Try not to overpack. Limit the number of items you check and the size of the items they will pack in for the return trip. Take advantage of what’s available near your destination. Bring new activities and devices to keep them busy over the entire trip. Find spots to cool off or catch some rest and get a snack during longer trips. Engage in conversations, reminisce about previous adventures, and share stories while you wait, travel, or rest. Help your kids expand their idea of family travel fun. And set up the travel day for a win-win situation: pursuing your adult travel goals while keeping your kids entertained and engaged as you are in your trip adventure.
8.2. Use Tech Tools
Parents, grandparents, and other caregivers traveling with kids have a bit more to plan than if they were just hopping on a flight or into a car. Thankfully, technology offers many great options to make your life easier. Book hotel rooms and tickets to attractions in advance from your home computer. Most hotels offer convenient, kid-friendly perks, like pack-and-plays and mini-fridges for storing snacks. Call ahead; don’t assume all your hotels are kid-friendly.
For travel jitters, consider planning for distraction. Load kids up with the necessities (and the temptations), providing noise-canceling headphones and tech that becomes essential. Download some of their favorite shows or apps for offline use on long routes. Plan ahead to avoid frustrating hiccups by bringing back-up batteries or chargers and a mix of large and small nibbles to keep tummies full. When you’re packing actual snacks, it’s important to pack all types of nibbles to keep them satisfied.
Parents with small children often use travel time to recharge by popping in a DVD of their favorite show or letting their kids spend time on an age-appropriate app that offers some educational zing. However, video entertainment can wreak havoc on young kids, who can’t turn themselves off for an unexpected stretch. So for a long flight or drive, use the promise of technology as a reward for good travel behavior: they can use their device for a short amount of time, then go back to reading, playing with toys, and staring out the window or at you. Use travel tech to address specific problems, like whining about boredom, but don’t forget that it’s nice to encourage other activities, too.
8.3. Don’t Overschedule
Your family is more likely to forget about your day and want to remember it with fondness if they are relaxed and doing what they want. Avoid getting caught up in this competitive activity. Your vacation is a way to visit and spend time with your family while having some fun intertwined. Think seriously about packing as much fun into your family trip as is possible, doing and seeing as many thrills and chills as you can. Planning your family vacation shouldn’t be as complex as preparing an operational battle plan. It’s not a race, it’s a family vacation, and not even a very long vacation at that. Be willing to drop planned events if something else comes along or if it seems that everyone is getting too stressed. If you see that the kids or other family members are getting worn out, allow them to take it easy for a while and just rest in the hotel. Don’t keep pushing until you have to hire paramedics or head for the emergency room. If you want to tour all the important sites in a city, take into account how long it takes to get there and wait in line, how long you need to spend at the site itself, how long it takes to get to the next site, and the hours when a number of the best-known tourist sites are open for viewing. Add in snacks and lunchtime, water breaks, shop stops, pee breaks, tantrum breaks, and you may find that you will end up with just one or two stops along your journey.
Also allow for some unscheduled time in between events. Time when casual, spontaneous activities can happen in a relaxed manner, when your family can get more acquainted with each other and make wonderful memories. Block out an entire day or afternoon during your vacation with nothing planned. If you are in a city with massive amounts of shops and restaurants, consider scheduling some of that time to leisurely browse through the stores. Or just tell your kids, “We’re off today, you figure out what to do.” You may then get to enjoy something you never would have thought about on your own. You want the whole vacation to be about serendipity, that magical moment when you’re in the right time and place. Your “little expedition of discovery” may be a picnic in some green space, kids’ park in or near the city that you just happen upon or a game of charades in the family room or the restaurant before the food arrives.
Keeping Kids Happy
Pondering on a family vacation? Keeping the kids happy and entertained while traveling is a tricky aspect of plugging the vacation into the family calendar. Some people think that you don’t need to worry about the kids so long as the grown-ups are having a good time, but the facts speak differently. The best type of family vacation is one that makes adults and children equally happy and allows family ties and bonds to develop and strengthen. With a little bit of extra planning and effort, you can spend a great and relaxing vacation in any corner of the world with your whole family.
The first and most important element to keep in mind is to plan the vacation according to the children’s needs. Contrary to popular belief, children do not like it if each day of the vacation follows a strict plan and if there are not enough idle hours in the day that you can hang around the hotel swimming pool. They also need to vary their daily activities. For instance, if one day has been devoted to visiting museums, concerts or ancient ruins, they should be compensated with a completely different experience the next day. If the kids are too old to be taken along to sightseeing sights, you will have to organize some time to let them enjoy their own preferred activity. This wise strategy will minimize complaints and sulking throughout the trip.
A suitable destination makes a family vacation a rewarding experience. Check the weather for the time of year you’re planning to travel. Beach resorts are good, but crowded. Nature parks offer beautiful landscapes, fresh air, and will entice your children to sit quietly for hours while watching the animals or camping by a lake. Check carefully whether the camping infrastructure is sufficient. A good compromise is a cruise. There will be many diversion possibilities that will appeal to adults as well as children.
Have a routine, but be flexible
Vacation is a time when normal daily routines dissolve, and with this, stress cannot help but lessen. But when you are traveling with children, maintaining some semblance of a set rhythm will minimize everyone’s stress levels. Some degree of routine, when blended with flexibility, will decrease tantrums and emotional outbursts, and create a smoother, more enjoyable family experience. It is a fact that children feel better when they are well rested, fed adequately, and comfortable. As a family on vacation, the goal is to be able to create those extremely necessary conditions without missing out on any of the fun along the way.
It is possible to stick to a routine when on vacation. First, know child’s schedule really well. Get a sense for each child – their usually wake-up time, when they start to look for lunch and what general time they want to head to bed at. Little children tend to get tired a lot earlier than you would think due to all the stimulus and excitement they experience, so make sure naps are in order for a happy camper. Next, develop a vacation routine that works for your children. You probably wake up, eat breakfast, and get out the door – maybe spend a good chunk of time in the morning at your vacation activity. Depending on the age of your children, you may need to have lunch planned around 11:30/12ish and either return to the hotel or condo for nap time or plan a light activity after lunch. Then you can either do something in the afternoon or return to wherever you are staying to regroup before heading out to dinner. It really does not have to be complicated. Just tweak what you normally do at home to fit your vacation day. The important thing to keep in mind is that flexibility does need to play a part. Kids will get tired, hungry or cranky at some point. You may not be able to stick exactly to the plan every day, and it’s important to accept that. The goal for the day is a fun day with your family!
Surprise them!
Of course, vacations are not necessarily a surprise. There is a lot to be said about the family researching and planning the vacation together, especially about the destination itself. After all, not every family member may have the same interests, and by discussing potential places, your family could narrow down the choices and hopefully come to a mutual agreement on a few choices. However, if you would like to surprise the family, you could choose a destination that no one has ever visited, and as you are packing the night before or the morning of your departure, you could leave clues or mini gifts that would indicate where you are going. You could even try the old standby where you blindfold them and drive them around for a couple of hours before removing the blindfold, but I am not sure how they would react to that and all the questions that would entail. Either way, it would add an air of mystery and fun to the journey! Once at your airport or train station of departure, you could surprise them by upgrading their seats to first class or letting them know that you have booked a vacation rental with all the amenities, such as a private pool or game room, which they could enjoy while on vacation. In addition to the excitement of vacation, everyone would love to have more space and a private place to hang out in during their off-hours. However, besides all the amenities of the destination, I think most families would prefer more quality time and family bonding in a quiet and off-the-beaten path location rather than having everyone always plugged into their electronics.
Teach them about the destination
Games can help kids grasp the historical and cultural significance of new places, and there are plenty of possibilities wherever you’re going. Let’s say you’re visiting an area famed for high-end shopping or internationally renowned wines. Hold a scavenger hunt, looking for those iridescent high heels or a bottle of Bordeaux that would cost a month’s salary — whoever finds the priciest item wins. Or learn to speak a few words of the local language — maybe the phrasebook is lying and there aren’t any horking sounds involved. Order meals in that tongue — hey, it’s fun and you can whine to restaurant hosts that you’re just trying to immerse yourself. If you’re going to a city where art is key, have everyone do one original piece, and ask a local gallery if they’ll display it. And for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, a picture book or two about the city is good preparation, too.
Some kids and teens might have a less-than-cheerful attitude toward broadening their horizons — you try spending hours listening to some professor-turned-tourist-guide waxing on about a mural or a tombstone. But when they note old wall paintings and copper timepieces all over that quaint little village, you’ll be glad you seized the opportunity. Whether you’re on the road or on a plane, there are so many ways that can help youngsters learn about your holiday destination along the way. Talk to an expert! Not a boring history teacher, but a knowledgeable local. When you arrive, have the kids ask questions or interview them (too shy? You ask the questions and involve them in the conversation). If your trip is an organized adventure, get the guide to explain history all over town, and ask tens of questions while sightseeing. But if you get a language guidebook and a good map, you can also venture out on your own. Pick up a history or city comic book — not just any history, but a humorous comic. Tell silly jokes for toddlers!
For the Parents
Remember to keep the fun in family vacation planning. Making memories is what it’s all about, and when family trips turn into a stressful production, people feel the strain. Obviously, you have to make certain decisions along the way, but don’t delay planning until everyone is too old to enjoy sloshing through the rain or trekking across the tundra in search of caribou. Try to mix up trips, accommodating various interests each year. Remember: you may not get to do everything everyone wants to do; compromise is part of the trip too.
As your kids grow, the nature of the vacation likely will change and your children will be able to participate in decisions and even help plan. Especially with teenagers, it will be beneficial to build-in some flexibility and free time so they don’t resent being forced into family time. Having meals together is a good idea; consider planning a cooking night into the schedule, where everyone helps prepare dinner and cleans up afterwards. Doing it in a new place with unfamiliar ingredients can be a lot of fun and a great bonding opportunity.
Traveling with small children, especially babies and toddlers can be more challenging. Use the opportunity, however, to share some of your travel interests. Kids love the excitement and have big eyes for new experiences, even if they can’t remember them. Visit the local playgrounds, zoos, and fountains. Walk around with them in a baby backpack. Join in toddler activities. Keep the routine, if possible, as it helps a lot in reducing melt-downs, and try to allow for easy days. A children’s museum or aquarium can be a lot of fun. Your direction is not as important as having fun as a family.
Stay calm and positive
It’s easy to start thinking about all of the things that could go wrong when planning a family vacation: bad weather, illness, tired children, unfinished work (and the list goes on), and it’s easy to let your worries take away the joy of planning. My advice is this: Don’t let. When your kids see how stressed out you are, they will start to feel anxious about the trip as well and excitement will quickly give way to anxiety and dread. Besides, with a little advance planning, most bumps in the road can be either averted altogether, dealt with smoothly, or turned into fun memories of their own. Staying calm and positive starts with your own attitude about the trip and the true feelings behind it. Are you looking forward to a few days away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life with your family? Or are you feeling pressured to plan a perfect vacation, just like the last one you took? Are you wishing to get your kids away from video games or other technology and back into nature? Or do you wish to keep them entertained for hours at a time, spoiled by everything a vacation hotel has to offer? Before doing anything else even if it means thinking about it for a few more days sit down and write down everything you hope to accomplish with this trip: important family bonding time with just-the-four-of-you, inexpensive fun, luxury and indulgence, cultural enrichment, and so on. The happiest vacations are those that are fun for everyone, yet don’t cost an arm and a leg. By focusing your trip on some of your family’s favorite activities – whether it’s birdwatching or getting to know a faraway cousin likely does not have to be your children – then work towards facilitating them. And don’t worry about doing near your kids – in fact, planning some time apart will likely help everyone stay calm, happy, and positive!
Take turns getting downtime
Family vacations often entail being together 24/7, which can leave parents with little alone time. While family activities are important, it’s also equally important to take a break now and then. Vacations are often hectic for families—trying to fit everything into the time allotted and insufficiently watching kids. It’s easy to understand how stress can build up. Taking time apart can restore your energy levels and keep things running more smoothly. The best way to maintain the fun throughout your vacation is to take turns getting downtime. The simple act of trading off takes shifts makes it easy to schedule a break. If the idea of splitting up into two groups on vacation seems unappealing, consider that a bit of alone time is probably key to enjoying each other at other times. Remember that vacations are often busy or filled with new sights, sounds, and smells. Disturbances in sleep schedules, new environments, and lots of excitement can spell disaster in terms of maintaining your children’s usual behavior patterns. As a result, a good mood can quickly turn into crankiness or tantrums. Taking some downtime can offer kids a chance to recharge. You may find that some time apart during the day can result in a happier family vacation experience. Depending on the ages of your children, you can usually find some fair trade-offs. For young kids, you can switch off while the other takes a nap or reads a book. If you have infants, the non-napping parent may want to seek out some off-site entertainment. Encourage other household members to spend time with the kids. Taking turns on downtime becomes especially important as the children get older. With teenagers, it’s fairly easy to spend a couple of hours apart from one another, as long as each child has a couple of siblings for companions.
Capture memories, not just photos
We take tons of photos on family vacations. In fact, we often take more photos when we’re on vacation than at any other time of year! While photos are a great way to remember a trip, don’t forget to document some of the fun and spontaneous details of the experience as well. Have everyone write journals or make scrapbooks that include things like maps, brochures, tickets, and short stories about things that happen on vacation. Journal entries can take just a few minutes to write and are usually not time-consuming. Journals should be colorful and fun. Although they don’t have to be beautiful, they should be personalized! Journaling presents a great opportunity to check-in with younger kids about making choices without writing it all down. If they balk about writing in their journals, ask them questions about your shared travel experience, and take notes for them while you write down what they say!
Some tips for kids’ travel journals: -Include maps showing your travel route. Don’t forget to include the names of the states you travel through! They are often excited about reaching a new state and sometimes they may want to visit all 50 states. -Use stickers, drawings, and photographs to decorate your travel journals. -Break up long periods of driving with short stops to write in your journals. It’s a good time to rest your hands and your minds.
When you get home from your family vacation, take time to get your memories organized. Share your stories with each other, finish your journals, put scrapbook pages together, and enjoy looking through the piles of pictures you’ve taken. Your vacation can last a little longer this way, and you’ll have some keepsakes to reminisce over for years to come!
