
Family holidays are exciting adventures that bring everyone together to create lifelong memories. Whether you want to explore a new destination or are revisiting your favourite place, having a well-thought-out plan in place takes the stress out of travelling – especially if you’re travelling with children!
Thankfully, Kaleido is here with some essential tips to help you plan the perfect family adventure.
Choose the Right Destination
It’s crucial to choose a destination that caters to the interests and needs of each family member to ensure that everyone is going to have the best time possible while on holiday. Make a list of everyone’s interests. Are they adventure seekers? Beach lovers? History buffs? Once you have a comprehensive list of the family’s interests, you can start researching destinations that offer these experiences.
It’s also important to ensure that the destination is easily accessible. If you’re travelling with very young children, it’s a good idea to make sure that there isn’t an overly long travel time. Most importantly, make sure that the holiday will fit into your budget without having to compromise on fun and activities when you get there!
You might want to visit Kaleido’s world map to find out more about some of the world’s most popular holiday destinations and see which ones are most suitable for your family!
Plan Ahead
A well-planned trip will reduce stress before and after travelling and allow for more time to enjoy your time away with your family when you get there! Once you’ve chosen your destination, read reviews, watch travel vlogs, or browse travel forums to gather more information and choose the activities you’re going to do when you arrive.
To be as organised as possible, we recommend securing your flights, accommodation, and tickets to any major attractions and excursions well in advance to not only get the best deal but also to ensure availability and avoid disappointment.
When you’re on holiday, it’s important to balance excitement with relaxation. To do this, create an itinerary before you go, outlining your daily activities but also leaving room for any spontaneous decisions, such as spending a day relaxing by the pool or the beach and enjoying some quiet time with your family!
Pack Smart
Arguably, one of the most stressful parts of planning a holiday is packing! No matter how far in advance you start packing or how many lists you make, you always feel like there’s something you have forgotten. Pack your essentials first. These could be items such as medications, travel documents, or comfort items for the children.
Once you’ve packed the essentials, you can start filling your suitcase with clothing, toiletries, and entertainment for some travel downtime, such as books, games, and electronic devices. It’s also a good idea to invest in packing cubes or zip-lock bags to keep your items organised and easily accessible and create more space in your suitcase. These can make the packing and unpacking experience less stressful!
Plan Your Family Friendly Activities
You want to ensure that the whole family has a great time on your holiday, and the best way to do this is by planning family-friendly activities that are suitable for everyone. Research the local areas to see what activities cater to all age groups. It’s important to include a mixture of indoor activities such as museums or art galleries and outdoor adventures such as beach outings and theme parks to maximise the fun and create the perfect balance between enjoyment and education.
It’s also important to balance active days with downtime to relax and recharge little ones’ batteries! Involve the whole family while choosing your activities to ensure that you consider everyone’s interests and remember to be flexible and adapt plans if new opportunities arise.
Capture the Moments
Cherish the magical memories you make on holiday by documenting the trip in creative ways. This may be capturing photos and videos of candid moments, scenic views, or family activities to look at – then you can reminisce long after the holiday is over and post online to share with your wider family and friends.
Encourage the children to keep a travel journal or create a holiday scrapbook to write about their experiences and how they thought or felt while on holiday. Include photos, tickets, and mementoes. This isn’t just a fun activity; it allows children to reflect on their holiday and enhance their writing and design skills!
Budget Wisely
Setting a realistic budget for your family holiday helps ensure a stress-free experience for everyone. Make sure that your budget covers all expenses, including travel, accommodation, food, and activities, and practice mindful spending on these activities to stay within the budget.
As we mentioned before, booking your travel, accommodation, and some activities in advance can save money. However, you can also search for discounts if you’re booking the activity on the day, such as family discounts, student discounts, or younger children attending for free.
Opt for self-catering accommodation options or dine at locally owned eateries instead of expensive tourist restaurants. This will save you money while also supporting local, family-owned businesses!
Most Importantly… Enjoy Quality Family Time!
Here are some suggestions to make the most of each moment and enjoy quality time together as a family:
- Prioritise bonding activities such as playing games, exploring new places, and eating together every day.
- Unplug from your devices where possible to limit screen time and ensure that everyone is fully engaged with each other, the surroundings, and the activities you’re participating in.
- Embrace spontaneity and just be present in the moment to appreciate the company of your loved ones.
- Create traditions such as nightly storytelling or reflecting on the day’s highlights, discussing which parts of the day everyone enjoyed the most.
While planning the perfect family holiday, focus on flexibility and family fun to create magical memories that last a lifetime for both you and your children. With these handy tips, your next family trip will be one to remember!
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