The assumption is that going on a vacation will be fun for everyone! Assuming is never a good idea. Just because vacations are supposed to be fun doesn’t necessarily mean your vacation will be fun, especially if you’re traveling with young family members.
A successful vacation is one that is planned, but not necessarily planned the way you think. Here are five tips that will help you make sure every member of your family, no matter what their relation or their age, has fun when you’re on vacation.
Research Activities with the Whole Family Ahead of Time
Planning for a vacation can be just as much fun as going on vacation! Give everyone in the family a sense of joy and control over the trip by planning activities ahead of time.
Allow everyone in the family to plan one thing they want to do, and look for family-friendly activities you think everyone will like. For example, The Smoky Mountain Opry Variety Show In Pigeon Forge is a must-see dinner show that will keep old and young alike engaged, entertained, and full!
Not only will planning activities ahead of time ensure there’s something for everyone in the family to look forward to, it can help you save money too. Some tickets and activities come with discounts and savings vouchers when you purchase them ahead of time!
Don’t Over-Plan
Although it’s a good idea to plan things everyone wants to do when you’re on vacation, that doesn’t mean you should plan an activity for every minute of every day. Make sure you plan plenty of downtime too.
Not over-planning your vacation will prevent you from feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation when you return home! It also helps prevent meltdowns among the youngest family members. Sometimes it really is best to go back to the hotel to take a nap or lounge by the pool instead of powering through the afternoon with cranky kids.
Pack Wisely
What you do on vacation is important, but you can’t underestimate the importance of what you bring with you. Forgetting a single item can make or break your entire vacation experience.
For example, if you forget your little one’s favorite lovey back home, you can bet that you’ll be in for quite a stressful experience that first night in the hotel room.
Get your kids involved in the process and ask them to help pack their own bags. A few tips for making sure they pack everything they need include:
- Making a list well before you leave so you can add to it as the date gets closer.
- Decide which toys they really want to bring, and what they can leave at home.
- Pack their most comfortable clothing, which includes shoes.
There are things you can pack to make everything easier too! For example, a few empty plastic baggies are a great place to store used tissues until you find a garbage can, or wet items until they can be washed.
Give Everyone a Budget
Planning a vacation is a great way to provide your kids with some real-life money lessons. That includes having discussions with them before you leave about how you’re saving for the vacation, but it also includes giving them a budget when you get to your destination.
Avoid having to deal with whining, complaining, and fits every time the kids can’t buy something they want by giving everyone their own budget. Even very young kids can be told to find something for less than $10! It’s a great way to solidify expectations to avoid complaints and hurt feelings.
Don’t Be Afraid to Take a Break from Each Other
You’re probably on vacation to spend more time with your family, but quality is always more important than quantity. Everyone needs a little time away, after all!
Don’t be afraid to spend some time apart from family members on vacation. Ask an older family member to watch the kids while you and your partner go out for dinner, or split up and take half the kids to do an activity while your partner takes the other kids to do something else. It’s a great way to prevent the kids, and adults, from getting on each other’s nerves!
Your vacation isn’t guaranteed to be a great time. It requires proper planning! With the tips on this list, you can help ensure that everyone has a great time, no matter what their age.
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