Thinking about getting away? Well, ‘tis the season to start planning and thinking about upcoming summer vacations with your family. Your kids are out of school, you’ve got vacation time to burn and you long for some family bonding time. The question is, where do you go? Many families plan vacations solely for their children, but this is your vacation also! Brainstorm ideas and discover a vacation spot that is appealing and has things to offer the entire family.
Depending on the allocated time you have available for your upcoming getaway, traveling cross country via plane or car may not be the best option. If you do some digging, you can often find a plethora of fun family trips that require much less travel time. Take some time to research local landmarks and cities that may be of interest to you. This will save you quite a bit of money as well. Choose closer locations for a shorter trip and farther destinations for longer outings.
Sit down and have a discussion with your family about activities they would each like to do during the vacation. Oftentimes, you will find that some of the activities are desired by more than one family member. For example, if “laying on the beach” is on top of your list and your spouse and son want to “go fishing”, you know you need to find a location that has both activities available. Making lists like this can prove highly effective and helpful in the planning process. By knowing what will make each person happy, you get peace of mind in knowing that everything will run smoothly and no one feels bored or dissatisfied.
Another great idea for families is traveling to locations where there can be educational value and historical opportunities nearby. You can typically find good educational pit stops at any destination and all it takes is a little digging and research. Besides, what parent wouldn’t want their children to gain some new knowledge? If you are driving for a long distance, plan your route and stop at various landmarks on the way. Map out your travel plans from Point A to Point B, find the best routes and make note of which cities you will be passing through. A quick internet search can give you great insight into historical landmarks or places to visit in that area.
Finally, if you and your spouse decide you’d like to have a private dinner together minus the kids, plan ahead and find a hotel that offers kids clubs or activities for just that purpose. It’s nice to be free of your parenting duties and have adult conversation for even just an hour or two while relaxing on vacation.
I hope you find these tips useful and that your next family vacation is one in which family members will make lasting memories for years to come.
This article was written by Sammy Jo, who works with a Minnesota Family resort called Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge.
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