How To Plan A Family Vacation [In 11 Easy Steps]

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Jess C is an Aeronautical Engineer who writes about travel. When she isn’t working on airplanes, she explores the beauty of the world.

I’m sure you know all about the struggles of traveling with kids. It can be a nightmare to plan and even more difficult to put into practice. If you’re like me, family vacations are a source of stress and anxiety. There is always something that goes wrong or doesn’t work out as planned, and soon everyone is irritated and unhappy. It doesn’t matter if you are traveling in America or abroad—there are plenty of small things that can be hard to plan when you involve kids.

Here are 11 ways to make your family vacation as smooth as possible.

1. Decide on a Destination

Family having fun on a beach, son on his father's shoulders

The first step is to decide where you want to take your family. Do a bit of research on popular destinations, and start looking at the ones that are most appealing for your family. Once you have decided on a few options, narrow down your choices even further by doing some more detailed research on favorited places to visit within the area.

It’s very important to get everybody’s opinion and set ground rules on how you are going to select the destination.

2. Set a Budget

The next step is to set a budget for your trip. You need to plan your budget as early as possible so that you have enough time to start saving. There are some families who budget for each trip, and there are those who don’t give a thought about the money spent during the vacation. Now, if you have limited income, then it makes sense to do a bit of planning before going out on an adventure with kids.

And if you’re one of those people who just throw caution to the wind when planning a vacation but are still trying to stay within a reasonable budget, I wouldn’t recommend going far. Kids tend to cost quite a lot more than adults (energy drinks, candy bars, etc.), and you’ll see quite an increase with each mile ventured.

3. Choose Your Activities

After you have a destination in mind and your budget set, the next step is to figure out what to do when you get there. If it’s a multi-day trip, then you need to be prepared for several days of activities with kids.

Plan fun things for each day that will keep everyone entertained. And, if possible, try and see if some tickets are available or discounts can be arranged instead of paying full price for something that everyone doesn’t want to take part in.

4. Plan Your Itinerary and Make Reservations

Once you have your budget and activities figured out, the next step is to plan your itinerary for each day of the trip. This way, everyone knows what’s planned for that particular day, and there won’t be any surprises or changes as you go along. Make sure that you make reservations where required as well as purchase tickets for anything that needs them.

5. Pack Early and Smart

Despite what you may think, it’s never too early to start packing. After all, you’re not just packing for yourself anymore, and no one wants a Kevin McCallister situation on their hands. I recommend marking the packing list with different colored stickers (name tags) according to who’s supposed to bring what.

If possible, try and take everyone’s preferences into account when choosing outfits and other items that will be needed on the trip.

6. Bring Snacks

Woman unpacking a picnic basket of food on a road trip break

No matter what destination you choose for your family trip, there’s a high chance that it takes at least a couple of hours to get there. In the car, everyone will be expecting snacks and drinks to keep them occupied during the ride. Make sure you have enough food items packed to last through the entire day because no one – not even kids – wants to spend extra money on overpriced junk food from a gas station or airport convenience store.

Also, remember to pack a few toys and books for kids so that they have something to do in case the car ride is really long. You can always purchase whatever else you think your family will need when you get there.

7. Avoid Traveling During Peak Times

The last thing I would recommend to anyone planning a family trip with kids is to avoid going on vacation during peak travel periods. If possible, try and go somewhere that’s not crowded or too popular because this will just add unnecessary stress and chaos into the mix. The last thing any parent wants while on vacation is having their space invaded by screaming children, large crowds of people, or someone else’s boisterous behavior.

8. Don’t Forget The Medicine Cabinet

Before going on a trip, make sure everyone has what they need to stay healthy—think vitamins and medicine. It’s also helpful to bring some over-the-counter medicines, just in case someone gets sick. One thing I would always recommend bringing with you is painkillers. You never know when someone will get a headache or stomach ache while on vacation.

You also don’t want to find out 30 miles away from the nearest gas station that your child gets horribly carsick. So whether you are driving or flying, consider some motion sickness tablets for anyone with a queasy stomach.

9. Pack Extra Diapers & Formula

You’ve probably already packed diapers and formula, but honestly, can you have too many?

Imagine getting stuck in an unexpected 10-hour layover with a baby. Most airports don’t stock these necessities, so you’ll want to have some extra diapers and formula on hand, just in case.

After all, no one wants a screaming kid in public because they’re hungry, and there’s nothing you can do about it. You’ll also save money by bringing your own food instead of buying overpriced snacks from an airport concession stand or convenience store.

10. Double Check The Airline Requirements

If you have kids traveling with you, then the last thing I would recommend doing before leaving home is double-checking flight requirements surrounding masks, luggage and carry-ons.

Get clear on what items aren’t allowed on the plane, so you can put them in your checked bag. If you decide to use a carry-on, make sure they don’t take up too much space and don’t exceed the maximum weight and size restrictions.

You’ll also want to make plans for special consideration items, like strollers, car seats and boosters. Chat with the airline early about your options, so you don’t have any unfortunate surprises on your travel day.

11. Know The Language

Traveling with a toddler is stressful enough as it is, but when you add in the stress of going to a foreign country where you don’t speak the language and don’t know anyone around you, it’ll make things much worse.

The last thing you need when traveling abroad is dealing with any kind of legal trouble or having to go through an emergency situation because your child isn’t feeling well. If you can avoid these kinds of problems from ever happening, then the trip will definitely be more enjoyable for everyone.

Hit The Road, Jack!

Kids are unpredictable, so it is important to be flexible. Keep an eye out for any red flags in what your kids say or do and take appropriate action when needed. -It’s also a good idea to establish ground rules with the children ahead of time about how they should act while on vacation.

The most important thing parents can do is try their best not to focus too much on themselves during this trip but rather give them the space they need as individuals to explore new things!

You might also be interested in: Cheap Family Vacation Ideas For Your Entire Family [Guide]

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