There’s no secret, perfect way to do a family vacation. It all comes down to finding locations and activities that will ensure the whole clan can keep happy and satisfied (always easier said than done.) But with any vacation situation, there are going to be hurdles. There will be disagreements and indecisiveness and, yes, even the occasional tantrum.
The best strategy you can take is to prepare for as many of these potential hurdles as possible.
Packing Essentials for Family Vacations
Travel Smart
With any family vacation, usually, it’s the stress of traveling which provides the most frustration.
One of the primary sources of stress during a family vacation is the act of traveling itself. Limited resources, long periods of confinement, and the potential for motion sickness can all contribute to frustration. To mitigate these challenges, it’s essential to pack smart and be prepared. Consider packing your essential travel supplies, such as tissues, snacks, water, and sunglasses, in a carry-on bag or backpack that is easily accessible at all times. This way, you can quickly address hunger and other immediate needs, reducing tensions without having to dig through layers of luggage in the back seat for that one crucial item you forgot to keep within reach.
This way appetites can be quickly sated needs quickly met, and tensions defeated without having to mine through the layers of luggage in the back seat for that one particular item you forgot to keep with you.
If there’s a baby along for the ride, be sure to bring along bibs, bottles, pacifiers, formula, and diapers.
If you’re traveling by others such as in an airplane or train, out of courtesy, it’s best to bring along toys that won’t make too much noise and save the rattles and talking dolls for the hotel room.
Layer Up
Easily the most common mistake in packing for a family vacation: not enough layers.
It’s far too easy to assume that a tropical destination will always be hot and typically colder destinations will always be freezing. The key rule of thumb here is to be prepared for anything.
Even the tropics get their cold bouts from time to time, and the last thing you want is to have a suitcase full of sleeveless tops and above-the-knee bottoms when it’s below 50 outside the room.
You’ll end up limiting the number of activities you can do during your stay or end up spending way too much at the local clothes retailer to compensate for your lack of planning.
Windbreakers and an extra pair of pants won’t take up much extra room, and everyone will be that much more relieved if the weather suddenly takes a turn for the worse.
The opposite can also be true. Even if your destination is forecasting cold, always keep something light and breezy just in case the sunshine decides to be extra generous for whatever reason.
And Don’t Forget…
o Extra underwear
o Medication
o Extra pair of eyeglasses and contacts
o Extra socks
o Sandals (for pools or beaches)
o Games for the kids (a deck of cards or a dice game always packs away nicely)
According to How Stuff Works, preparing for a trip is a relatively easy procedure, but without doing so is the equivalent of going off-roading in a sedan with no shock absorbers. Keep a list, check it twice. Your family will thank you for it.
In addition to these considerations, there are several other essential items that shouldn’t be forgotten when packing for a family vacation. Remember to bring extra underwear, any necessary medication, an additional pair of eyeglasses or contacts, extra socks, and sandals for pool or beach activities. Including games for the kids, such as a deck of cards or a dice game, can also be a great way to keep them entertained during downtime.
Preparing for a family trip may seem like a straightforward process, but neglecting to do so is akin to going off-roading in a sedan without proper shock absorbers. Create a checklist and review it meticulously. By taking these extra steps, you’ll ensure a more seamless and enjoyable vacation experience for your entire family. Your loved ones will undoubtedly appreciate your preparedness and the thought you put into making the trip as smooth as possible.