Making the Most Out of Your Family Vacations
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I’ve traveled far and wide as an adult. Lucky for me, my husband has the travel bug as well. Over the years, it’s become clear to me that I’m an over packer (and I’m sure my husband would agree!), coming home with as much clean clothes as dirty clothes. Since this discovery, I’ve developed a packing checklist, not only to be sure that I don’t forget something important but also to be sure that I don’t pack too many “just in case” items. Not only has following a detailed list helped me but using packing cubes has also been a benefit.
My husband and I have also been lucky enough to travel with our children, from the time they were infants in diapers. From beach destinations to foreign cities, and even moving to Hawaii for one year, over time we’ve developed great travel tips and techniques for the adventurous family.
Now that we are starting to think about post-Covid travel (and I hope you are too!), I wanted to share some of these tips with you. Traveling with kids certainly takes more time - packing for 3 or 4 versus 1 or 2 takes more time. And depending on the ages of your children, they may (or may not) be able to help.
Tips for Planning Your Vacation
Choose a destination that has appeal to everyone traveling. Do your research and plan activities and excursions in advance of your arrival. If you’re kids are old enough, get them involved in researching destinations.
Be sure to check the weather so you pack appropriately. Just because you’ve chosen a beach destination doesn’t mean that the evenings are warm. Don’t get caught with the wrong clothes and check the weather report before you begin to pack.
Know where you are eating the first night. If you aren’t staying at an all-inclusive resort or in a major city, research local restaurants online and know where you’re having dinner your first night. No one wants to search for a meal when they are jet-lagged or in a place they are unfamiliar with.
Learn the local language. No, you don’t need to be fluent. But learning a few key words in the local language can be very helpful. Hello, goodbye, and thank you are just a few helpful words.
Book activities in advance. Want to avoid waiting on long lines to buy tickets? Then book them in advance.
Travel Safety Tips
Are your vaccines up to date? Check to see if you need vaccinations for your particular destinations, check your records and schedule appointments for you and your family members.
Are your passports valid? In 2022, three passports expired in my immediate family. While they’ve all been updated, it took much longer then in previous years.
Consider your plants and pets. If needed, arrange a pet sitter, someone to water your plants or even arrange to have your driveway plowed if you’re expecting snow.
Put a hold on your mail. Go online and fill out a form. You can even choose a date to have it all delivered to you. I prefer to wait until the day after I return from vacation, when we’ve already started to unpack and do laundry.
Last-Minute Travel Checklist
- Count your number of carry-on bags and checked luggage. Take a photo of each one. It’s handy if your luggage is lost.
- Allow extra time to get to the airport.
- Double-check that you have all of your important documents, including your travel itinerary (printed and digital), plane tickets and passports.
- Put name tags on all your luggage. So many pieces look alike!
- Confirm that all of your carry-on liquids are the appropriate size and packed in clear, resealable bags.
- Wear shoes that are easy to take off/put on as you go through airport security.
- Have charging cables for all your devices.
- Bring plenty of snacks and bring an empty, reusable water bottle that you can fill up after you’ve gone through airport security.
- If you tend to get cold on airplanes like I do, be sure to pack an extra jacket or wrap with you. It can also be used as a pillow in a pinch!
Planning ahead and being organized will help you to have a relaxing and fun family vacation. Enjoy your next adventure! I know I will.
More Organizing Ideas
Need even more ideas on how to organize your home? Living. Simplified. is ready to help. Take a look at these blog posts or send us an email at lauren@livingsimplified.net and we can work together to reach your organizing and decluttering goals:
The 6 Best Laundry Room Organizers