Summer is the perfect time to plan an unforgettable family vacation. Not only are school holidays in place, but you can also capitalize on long, warm summer days. Use these sun-soaked months to take a much-deserved break yourself from either work or the monotony of daily duties.

As enjoyable as family getaways can be, planning a trip that both you and your kids will be equally excited for can prove a bit of challenge. To help you organize your next summer holiday, we thought we’d offer some tips for family travel planning specifically geared towards summer vacations.

From choosing the right destination to smart packing tips, and budget-friendly travel advice to simply managing to keep your kids entertained, we’ll cover all the essential needs to plan a seamless and enjoyable summer vacation the whole family will love.

Sun, Sand, and Smiles: How to Plan the Perfect Family Summer Getaway

Choosing a Travel Destination

The first step to planning a family holiday is of course deciding on a travel destination. While many destinations will likely be experiencing their peak tourist season during the summer months, you may be able to book your holiday towards the very start or end of the school break period to save money. There may also be certain destinations that won’t follow the norm and may actually offer discounts during summer possibly due to especially warm weather they may experience this time of year.

It’s important to get everyone’s input when choosing a travel spot, including your spouse and kids’ opinions. Discuss your destination options and the activities and experiences in each, narrowing down your list of choices with a list of pros and cons of each and possibly holding a family vote.

Consider looking for lesser-popular summer travel destinations that will not only offer unique experiences but also may offer far less crowds and cheaper rates. And while school may be out, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to at least make some of the trip educational for both you and your kids, which can be achieved by visiting museums and historical sites.

Family holidays are made enjoyable when they are as stress-free as possible. This often means selecting places that don’t require long or complicated travel, especially when young children are in tow.

Research family vacation packages or deals that may be able to save you money with all-inclusive holidays where little planning is needed to reduce stress further. You can further save on costs by selecting a destination that offer a broad range of free or low-cost activities and attractions as opposed to popular big-ticket attractions.

Gathering Travel Documents

The next step is to ensure you prepare all the relevant documents you’ll need for your family trip. You will of course need to make sure that everyone has a valid passport if planning an international trip, ensuring that they all have more than 6-months validity remaining or that you take the steps far in advance of your trip to get a new passport if anyone requires one since passport processing times can be quite lengthy in some countries.  

When traveling internationally, you will also need to research whether you’ll need a visa and how far in advance you need to get one. If you plan on renting a vehicle, find out if it will be acceptable to simply use your own driver’s license or if you will require an international driving permit as well.

Print or have access to digital copies of all your travel bookings including airline tickets, hotel reservations, rental car confirmations, and entry passes to attractions. Be sure to also purchase comprehensive travel insurance and have access to a copy of your policy with contact details in case you need to make a claim or have questions during your travels.

Some destinations may also require proof of certain vaccinations such as Yellow Fever. Be sure to visit your doctor or pharmacy to get copies of prescriptions for any medications you or your family members may need and make sure to get them translated if visiting a destination that speaks a different language.

A few final helpful tips are to notify your credit card companies where you will be traveling to and during which dates so as to avoid holds being placed on your cards due to unusual or suspicious charges. You may also be required to carry notarized consent forms when traveling solo with your kids and you share joint custody with an ex-partner.

Planning an Itinerary

Just as you considered everyone’s interests when choosing a destination, you also want to ensure your itinerary caters rather equally to the desires of all family members. If tight on time, seek out common interests or find ways book activities or experiences that may include at least a bit of everyone’s preferences.

Another key to family travel itinerary planning is to ensure you don’t overload your itinerary. The more moving parts and restrictive your itinerary gets, the more stress and potential problems that are created. And remember, traveling with kids often brings about the unexpected since kids regularly get tired or sick which can throw a wrench into your daily travel plans.

You want to leave some room for both spontaneity and down time for relaxation to avoid burnout. Take time to explore a new place, try new activities, sample new foods, and simply bond with your family. The ultimate goal is to spend quality time with your family rather than what specifically you experience together.

Include a mix of activities, such as beaches, hiking trails, museums, amusement parks, and cultural experiences. Summer often means outdoor activities whether that is beach fun or visiting national parks. Be sure to secure any park’s passes and camping spots well in advance during the summer as they often book out months in advance, as well as securing tickets for popular summertime events early.

Remember to plan activities that are appropriate for your children’s ages, ensure your kids are involved with the itinerary planning, and consider reflecting on the trip at the end of each day to see if your itinerary is proving successful or if you may need to make any adjustments based on how previous days went.

Creating a Travel Budget

Creating a travel budget for your family vacation avoids financial surprises and ensures less headaches when you return. A budget assists with keeping regular track of your spending so you don’t overspend. Trust us, having a clear financial plan provides peace of mind, which eliminates unnecessary worry during your trip which only wastes your valuable time.

To create a better or more accurate budget, be sure to research the cost of living of your chosen travel destination or read blogs to get an idea of true up-to-date costs associated with the trip you are planning, being aware of seasonal price fluctuations.

Allocating a daily budget for various things like accommodation, meal and snack costs, activities, souvenirs, transport, etc. will also help to control your total overall spending. And to reduce financial stress even more, think about saving up for your planned trip far in advance which will better ensure you secure the necessary funds.

Choosing Accommodation

There’s a lot to consider when booking accommodation for a traveling family. You want to ensure you book accommodation that is safe, provides enough room and personal space for everyone, and offers comfortable sleeping arrangements.

Quality hotels and resorts will often offer up amenities like pools which are a great bonus for summer trips, kids’ clubs, and on-site dining. Meanwhile, booking a larger vacation rental through a company like Airbnb may be a better option for larger families to give more space and most often provide a large kitchen to cook meals which can greatly save on travel food costs.

All-inclusive resorts may be a great money-saving option for families, not to mention the reduced stress from a having most everything you’ll need during your trip in one place, since all-inclusive resorts are synonymous with being able to arrange a broad range of popular local activities easily.

Selecting accommodation that’s conveniently located near most of the attractions and activities you plan to visit will of course save time and transportation costs. When traveling with kids, you may also want to think about booking a place that has access to medical facilities or a pharmacy should your kids or yourself get sick.

Always read reviews to discover the experiences of other families that have stayed in the accommodation you’re considering. Reviews may end up addressing issues you hadn’t thought of that may make you rethink your booking.

Lastly, if you happen to be traveling within your own country on a road trip and plan to take your pet along, be sure to look ahead of time which places will be pet-friendly.

Packing Essentials

If you thought packing for yourself was challenging, try packing for a family holiday with kids which can often prove to be a daunting task. One of the most important aspects of packing for children is organization.

Start by making a comprehensive packing checklist that ensures you include all the essentials to keep your kids healthy and content. Use packing cubes or bags to separate items for each individual child and include them in the packing process. You may even have them carry or roll their own bag if old enough to learn responsibility.

Packing clothing for summer trips is often easier, as you won’t require bulky items. You will want to select clothing that can be mixed and matched easily to create multiple outfits from a few pieces, and pack spare changes of kids clothes for unexpected spills which are more often than not expected to happen rather than be unanticipated.

Remember to pack your children’s favorite bedtime outfits and possible stuffed toy or book to help maintain their normal bedtime routine, which can be comforting in new environments.

And don’t forget that a well-packed carry-on can be a lifesaver when traveling with kids. Packing a variety of toys, activities, and snacks in a carry-on the can be regularly accessed ensures your kids will be entertained in airports and on flights. You will also want to again pack a spare change of clothes in your carry-on in case of potential spills or accidents that are common with younger children.

Food and Drink Tips

 

As any parent can attest to, keeping your children well-fed and hydrated can prevent meltdowns while traveling. No parent wants to deal with tantrums in the middle of an airport, during a flight, or in a car during a road trip where you need to maintain focus.

Healthy and convenient snacks are a lifesaver when traveling with kids. Pack a variety of non-perishable items that will keep kids content during long transportation periods. You will definitely want to pack your own snacks if your kids have any specific allergies that may otherwise make acquiring suitable snacks difficult.

Keeping everyone hydrated is very important, especially during summer vacations where it’s likely to be hot and you will be enjoying a lot of outdoor activities. Bring reusable water bottles for each family member and refill them at water fountains whether you’re at the airport or in a park.

Research the food options that will be available to you before your trip, ensuring there will be family-friendly restaurants that offer kids’ menus or flexible dining options. If your kids have dietary restrictions, you will again need to find suitable places or self-catering options that can accommodate these needs.

If going the self-catering route and booking accommodation with a kitchen, ensure you book something that is close to a local grocery store and then stock up on groceries soon upon arrival to get yourself set up with food right away. Focus on easy-to-prepare meals and snacks. It’s not about proving your master chef capabilities, rather simply producing quick, easy, and nutritious meals to fuel your travels.

Preparing for and Dealing with Emergencies

The sad reality of travel is that emergencies can happen whether you’re enjoying a simple road trip on domestic soil or embarking on an international holiday halfway around the world.

Being prepared for potential emergencies is your duty when traveling with children. In addition to packing a comprehensive first-aid kit in case of minor travel injuries or ailments, it’s good measure to also have your family get a medical check-up before international trips.  This can alert you of any unknown ailments and your doctor may be able to offer health advice for the destination you are traveling to.

If planning a road trip where you will be unfamiliar with roads and locations, you will need roadside assistance to ensure you can keep your family safe and get them back on the road as soon as possible. Be sure to get your vehicle serviced before your trip to check things like fluids, tire tread, or any issues that may make your vehicle vulnerable to break downs on a long-distance road trip.

We have already covered the importance of purchasing comprehensive travel insurance which can provide coverage for overseas medical treatment, trip delays and cancellations, and lost or stolen belongings just to name a few protections. Travel insurance policies often provide coverage for children traveling with parents free of charge, so seek out an insurer offering this benefit.

Have a list of emergency contacts, including family members, local emergency services, and your country’s embassy or consulate if traveling abroad. Then teach your children what to do in case of an emergency, such as how to dial emergency services. It’s always a good idea to create a preplanned meet-up spot should anyone gets unintentionally separated or lost.

Research the local disaster response plans for the destination you are visiting. Have a plan for where to go and what to do in case of natural disasters such as bushfires, hurricanes, or floods. And for everything else, trust your instincts when assessing situations to ensure your family’s safety.