Because when the kids feel involved, the trip begins before we even leave the house...and that makes life easier for us all, am i right?!
If you've ever tried planning a vacation with kids without meltdowns, random mystery messes, mid-flight "I'm boreds!", or even better yet...an hour into, make that 15 minutes into a road trip "are we there yets?"... you know it takes mores than just booking a flight and packing some snacks.
As a travel advisor and a mom, I've learned that the secret to smooth family travel isn't just great planning- it's also involving the kids in the process in fun, age-appropriate ways. It turns the stress into excitement... and make the countdown part of the adventure.
Here's how we do that in our family:
🗺️ 1. We Make a Family “Trip Dream Board”
Before you think "ok, that is way too much for me, I don't have time for all of that..." Hear me out! Before I book anything, we sit down and talk about what everyone wants to do on this trip. My kids love being able to help pick activities ("Can we swim with dolphins?") We love to look at pictures of where we might stay, different things we can do where we are going, different places we might want to eat, things like that! Sometimes we make a list and I will write them down, I don't usually make an actual "board" but letting the kids visualize the activities and scroll through them on the iPad helps them feel like it's their trip, not just one they're tagging along for!
📚 2. We Learn About the Destination—Together
Once we have our destination decided, we dive into some research together! We have been known to spend quite some time watching kid-friendly videos on cruises or Disney, learning fun facts about our vacation spot. They get to "research" while I quietly figure out the logistics behind the scenes (like finding dog-friendly stays, or flights with decent timing 🙃).
This builds up the excitement for them and helps with those "how much long?" questions once we're on the road. (More on this "how much longer question later...!)
✈️ 3. They Help Pack (Sort Of)
I will let them each help choose a couple outfits, swimsuits, or toys to bring. I still do the final zip-up, of course, but giving them some say makes them feel like official travel team members! I typically let them each pack their own bag as well, depending on the trip of course, but they each have their own special suitcase.
Bonus: Our dogs have their own bag when they travel too- so they get to help pack their treats and toys!
📆 4. We Count Down With a Travel Calendar
We like to make a countdown calendar on an app in my phone so we can easily pop on there and check how many days left until VACATION! For some trips we even will put special little notes on the calendar in our kitchen to be silly! Each day we check builds anticipations and keeps the "when are we leaving?" energy positive.
🌴 Why It Matters
Travel isn't just about where you go-it's about what you feel before you get there. When my kids are involved, the trip becomes something we build together. And when our pups get to come too? It's truly a family adventure, start to finish.
💬 Want to Make Your Next Trip a Family Win?
I'd love to help you plan a family vacation your kids are excited for before the plane even takes off. Whether it's a beach trip, lake escape, or dog-friendly getaway, I've got ideas to keep the whole crew happy (without the stress). I have included an image of a countdown you can use as well, I would love to customize one for you once we book you your own trip! Let me know in the comments what your favorite travel planning tips are.
