How to Make Your Family Trip Unforgettable

Family trips are one of the most valued parts of childhood where lifelong memories are created and families can bond over the getaway. If you’re organised and plan ahead then you have a really enjoyable holiday and a perfect trip with the kids. Plenty of preparation and research is needed to ensure a stress-free trip that goes as smoothly as possible.

1. Make a To-Do List Before the Trip

Between finding a dog sitter to packing medications, there is always an abundance of tasks that need to be completed before any trip. Make a to-do list to stay organised, while downloading a packing app, such as Packing Pr, to help with some of the work. Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to different family members to ensure you can still relax a little before the day you leave.

2. Book a Room at a Family-Friendly Resort

To really enjoy a family holiday and actually relax while you’re away, finding a great all-inclusive family-friendly resort is key. Find a hotel that has high ratings and reviews by former guests, while watching out for any concerns as well. Remember that negative reviews aren’t always bad – what may be negative for one family may not be a problem for yours. For example, a kids club that caters to younger children might have been a disappointment for those with teens and tweens but perfect for your three under 8.

If you’re visiting a destination with entertainment off the premises, such as Walt Disney World, use sites like Gogobot to look into Orlando hotel options with monorail access! On our last trip to Disney, we were able to find a great hotel from other parents’ recommendations that brought the magic of the park back to our hotel, truly giving our kids the best experience.

3. Help Children Sleep on the Road

To make for a smoother trip, have children stick to their normal sleeping schedules by bringing pillows and blankets for the car ride, even their favourite stuffed animal. Installing blinds for the car will also help to make them sleep easier and will prevent glares on movie screens or tablets.

4. Keep Your Kids Busy

Ensure your child is on their best behaviour in the airport or while travelling by downloading audiobooks right onto an iPad or electronic device so they can listen in solitude to some of their favourite stories. This is a great way to make sure they’re getting ready for school, which is right around the corner! Many local libraries offer audiobooks on CD. Remember to provide headphones and extra batteries or chargers!

5. Document the Trip

Record the best memories from your trip by snapping photos along the way. Allow your children to stay busy in the process and help by purchasing a few disposable cameras that they can use. They’ll feel delighted knowing they’re in charge of a fun task you’ve given them, and it will provide an enjoyable activity to browse the photos once they’re developed. If you have older kids, give them photo assignments as if they’re professional travel photographers. A picture of the boardwalk or from the top of the mountain can be a great way to have the kids see your trip through a new lens. Have the kids make a scrapbook of the photos once you’re back home, which will be something they can treasure for many years to come.