I'm happy to introduce Kendra Thornton to you today. She is a full-time mother of 3 and the former Director of Communications for Orbitz. Her work gave her the opportunity to travel a great deal and since we are in the season of summer vacations, today she is sharing some tips on traveling with kids.
Making the Most of Your Family Vacation
Going on a family vacation can bring everyone closer together. As you spend quality time with your spouse and children, stories can be told, fun can be had, and relationships can be strengthened. However, if you're unprepared, your family vacation can miss out on some of the fun and happy times you should be having. The key to having a successful vacation is being prepared, and here are some tips to make yours a success.
1. Packing
There is nothing worse than arriving at your destination and realizing you forgot a much need item. Lucky for us, there are new apps like Packing Pro that can help in creating lists and ease the packing experience. Also, bringing snacks and drinks for the kids is a must, whether traveling by plane or by car. This way, if your children get grumpy, you'll have something to keep them at bay.
2. Pick the Right Hotel for You
Make sure you do extensive research on a number of hotels. Find out how family friendly they are, what amenities they offer, and how accommodating their rooms will be. Also, be sure to check out their staff. Customers are very good informants, so read up on their reviews. I used Gogobot to read a number of reviews on Orlando hotels, and was able to find a great hotel that provided my family with a free continental breakfast. Gathering all this information will make your hotel-booking dilemma much easier.
3. Make it a Surprise
If there's ever a time to keep a secret, it's now. Keep your kids excited and eager for the family vacation by periodically giving them hints about where you are going, but without actually revealing the destination. Just remember, if you are going to do this there has got to be a big “wow” in store for them—a trip to Uncle Jack’s might leave them underwhelmed.
4. Make Traveling Enjoyable
For you and your children, the journey to the destination
can be nerve-wracking. It can also be fun, stress-free and unforgettable. The
key is to use your imagination. Try to be creative with the games you play,
like singing funny songs, telling jokes and sharing appropriate, unexpected
secrets. Nothing is wrong with improvising throughout the journey. If you have
little ones, also use the travel time to let them get some rest before you
reach your destination. You may want to invest in car
window shades to help your children sleep during the drive.
5. Fun for the Whole Family
A family vacation
supposed to be enjoyable for everybody. Make sure you keep your kid’s interests
in mind as well as your own, as this will go a long way in making the trip
enjoyable for everyone. Whether this means going to the hotel’s pool, exploring
the landscape and the wildlife, or booking a guided tour or sightseeing
adventure, remember to have the interests of the entire family in mind.
I hope these tips
will be useful for planning your next family vacation! Remember to have fun,
and safe travels!
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