How to Plan a Family Vacation
Planning a great family vacation can be easier than you think with a little planning and thought.
Include Everyone
It is important to include every family member in vacation planning. Make a list of every location, attractions, theme parks, and amusement parks that every member wants to visit, first. See if you can find any similarities, then combine them into one trip. Does an amusement park pop up in several lists? Maybe Las Vegas appeared in several of the lists. You could combine the two by staying at the hotel/amusement park Circus Circus. Or, if Disney World and water sports are on your lists they can easily be combined by staying in a hotel close to the beach.
Even the smallest child in the family should be included in trip planning. If you tot hates water, try to avoid the beach. If he or she loves the snow, maybe a ski vacation with plenty of sledding is the perfect trip.
Remember, toddlers and babies will need frequent naps and rest stops, so don’t jam-pack your days, and try not to put your family on a strict schedule of activities. You may want to plan to put your tots and kids in “vacation care” while you and your spouse goes out to dinner or dancing. Many cruises and some hotels offer these programs. These age appropriate programs are intended to keep youngsters happy and entertained while giving their parents a break.
Think of Safety
Many parents don’t consider safety as a top family vacation planning step, but it should be. Make sure that the hotels you stay at have toddler safety devices on patio doors, a high place or safe where medicines can be put, and gates around pools. Also make sure that the banister around any upper-level balconies is high enough that your child will not be able to climb over and that the spindles are close enough that your child will not be able to slip through.
Many hotels offer 360-degrees previews of the rooms on their websites. If you cannot get the information you want from the website don’t be afraid to call the hotel. Most will be more than happy to give you the information you need.
More and more hotels are making their facilities child and baby friendly. Many are supplying mini fridges and nursing rooms for new mothers, cribs, play yards, and calming music for the baby and toddlers to make for a more relaxing family vacation.