A summer family vacation should be fun, relaxing and enjoyable for the whole family.
Going to plan it though can take lots of work and become overwhelming and stressful!
When my husband and I decide on a family vacation these 3 tips for a less stressful family vacation are always something I implement.
I noticed that now planning a vacation for my family is fun and I look forward to making memories with my kids instead of stressing over it.
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3 Tips for A Less Stressful Family Vacation
Budget
Knowing what you can afford is important.
The average family vacation can thousands of dollars so you want to make sure you get the most for your dollar.
There are so many deal sites out there to help with hotel, flights and rental cars just to name a few.
For us a huge budget saver is dining in our hotel room.
I always look for a hotel that provides free hot breakfast and if possible a full kitchen.
That way I can cook most of our families meals right at the hotel.
Get Everyone Involved
Once you have decided what you have budgeted for and narrowed down to a few destinations get the kids involved.
Have them help pick a destination and things they want to see while they are there.
This saves you the stress of over planning and possibly seeing things that no one would be interested in.
Once your family has decided on what they can not live without seeing it makes it easier to find room for the must see’s and avoid unnecessary activities.
Plan, Schedule, Be Flexible
Having a plan of the day makes a family vacation more enjoyable for everyone.
There is no guess work for anyone and the whole family will know what to expect.
Now I am not saying you need an hour by hour itinerary but just a guideline of what is on the agenda for the day.
That said plan for down time, even the littlest ones can get cranky and need a good nap back at the hotel.
When making your plans for each day keep it flexible.
Being able to change plans due to the weather or a whining child is out of your hands.
Sometimes you have to roll with the punches and just make the most of it.
What are your tips that you do to make your family vacation less stressful?
Related reading; Family Vacations on a Budget, 10 Tips for Living in a Hotel Room with Kids and How to Keep Kids Occupied on Vacation.
I would also say that if you will be driving any sort of distance to be sure to take entertainment in the car. Renting a movie on the iPad the last time we went to Myrtle Beach was a lifesaver!
Yes! Definitely budget and PLAN! I hate it when we run out of money on a trip, that happened ONCE and never again!
Great tips! I really like the be flexible one. Doing anything with family (kiddos) requires patience and flexibility. 🙂