If you’ve ever planned a family vacation only to end up feeling like the tour guide, the referee, the snack supplier, and the activities director… all while forgetting to enjoy the trip yourself—you’re not alone. These family vacation planning tips will ease that burden just a lil bit 😜
As a mom of six and a professional travel advisor, I know that balancing the needs of everyone in the family (from toddlers to teens and sometimes grandparents too!) can feel like herding sunscreened cats. But with the right strategy, you can plan a trip that includes joy, rest, connection, and unforgettable memories—for everyone.
Let’s dive into some age-based travel tips that help make your next family vacation feel more like an actual getaway, and not just a really expensive to-do list.
👉 P.S. If you’re looking for mindset shifts and meaningful moments, check out my companion post: How to Make a Family Vacation Feel Like a Vacation (Not Just a Trip).
👶 Traveling with Younger Kids? Prioritize Simplicity and Sanity
Young kids are adorable chaos gremlins. We love them. But… travel days are not their strong suit. Here’s how to keep your stress levels low and their smiles big:
✅ Pro Tips:
- Distraction is your best friend: Bring snacks, new toys, sticker books, coloring pads, and download shows ahead of time. If you’re flying, wrap a few surprises and pull them out at key moments.
- Don’t over-schedule: Keep itineraries flexible. One main outing a day is enough. Plan for naps, downtime, and playground breaks.
- Splurge on convenience: Pay for priority boarding. Stay somewhere central. Book private transfers. Anything that minimizes meltdowns = worth it.
🧒 Traveling with Elementary-Aged Kids? Build in Novelty + Ownership
This is such a fun age! They’re curious, still excited about everything, and usually up for adventure. Involve this age group in the family vacation planning-they’ll love you for it!
✅ Pro Tips:
- Let them help plan: Show them a few activity choices and let them pick one. This builds anticipation and gives them something to “own” on the trip.
- Make memory-making easy: Disposable cameras, vacation journals, pressed penny collections—give them simple tools to remember their trip their way.
- One activity per kid rule: Have each child choose an activity that everyone does together. It makes each kid feel seen and included, and keeps things balanced.
👩🦱 Traveling with Teens? Include Them Like Co-Planners
Teenagers aren’t too cool for family trips—they just want to feel like they matter. When you bring them into the family vacation planning process, it shifts everything.
✅ Pro Tips:
- Let them research part of the trip: Give them a day to plan or choose one city or experience. They’re more likely to engage if they helped create it.
- Balance together time and alone time: Don’t force every moment to be shared. Build in free time or let them explore (safely) on their own for a bit.
- Focus on shared interests: Traveling with a music lover? Book a local concert or record store visit. Got a foodie? Plan a street food tour together.
✨ All Ages: Focus on Ease + Experiences Over Exhaustion
At the end of the day, the goal is to create memories—not max out your itinerary.
- Pick the right destination that caters to all ages
- Choose accommodations that give everyone space
- Mix downtime with bucket list experiences
- Include everyone in the plan in some way
This not only makes the trip more enjoyable—it reduces the emotional labor on the main planner (usually mom) and creates a sense of shared ownership.
Final Thoughts: A Vacation that Grows with Your Family
A well-planned vacation doesn’t need to be jam-packed or Insta-perfect—it needs to be inclusive.
That means:
- Each person gets something to remember
- You aren’t running yourself ragged trying to “entertain” everyone
- You leave space for connection, not just logistics
Want help choosing a destination, building an age-balanced itinerary, and avoiding the dreaded travel regret? That’s where I come in ✈️
📣 Let’s Plan a Trip They’ll Talk About for Years
If you’re ready to make your next family vacation feel easier, more fun, and full of moments everyone will cherish, I’m here to help.
📅 Let’s chat! Book a consultation and I’ll help you escape the scroll spiral and step into sunshine.
