You know that you all need to get away, but the idea of planning a family vacation stops you in your tracks. It doesn't need to. With a little thought, you can plan a trip that makes everyone happy, keeps the kids entertained and give you the well-deserved break that you're looking for.
Start with a Budget
A kid-friendly vacation doesn't have to be expensive, but the first step in planning one is setting your budget. Being aware of what opportunities you have to save on different areas of your trip can go a long way toward expanding your overall budget.
If you or your spouse fly regularly on business, or you have a credit card that carries air mile rewards look at your frequent flyer or other mileage programs to see if you can use your mileage points to purchase airfare. If you're willing to be flexible with your travel dates or split into two groups while you travel, what you'll save can be applied to other parts of your trip.
Don't forget to check with different airlines on whether they offer discounted airfare for infants or children under a certain age, usually two years old. Airlines often charge half-fares for infants and while it may be tempting to skimp on the extra fare, having that extra seat is safer and more comfortable for you and your little one.
Look for non-stop or direct flights and if you're flying with little ones, consider flying late at night when they're more likely to sleep. If you're considering travel packages to save on cost, be sure you understand any limitations or restrictions on airfare. What seems like a good deal on the surface may not be right for your vacation upon closer examination.
Choose a Kid-friendly Destination
One of the best ways to choose a destination for a kid-friendly vacation is to let your kids pick it.
Handing them a globe and total power may not be a great idea-you don't want to have to explain why you can't camp out pyramid-side in Egypt-but giving them a list of kid-friendly vacation spots to choose from will help kids feel like their opinions matter. And what's a better way to start a vacation than having happy kids?
It used to be that the only kid-friendly vacation out there was Walt Disney World or Disney Land and with good reason: The Disney properties are known for catering to kids (and kid-like adults) with non-stop action, a wide variety of rides and attractions, and interaction with characters from your kids' favorite movies. Planning a kid-friendly vacation however, doesn't mean limiting your options to Florida or California.
Don't overlook major cities. Metropolitan areas like Boston, New York City and Washington, D.C. offer families a variety of historical and cultural attractions that are kid-friendly as well as interesting for adults. Look for cities with sights, sounds and activities that align with your kids' interests, like history, theatre, art, sports or architecture and choose a city that offers something for each of your kids (and you).
Islands and cruises aren't just for honeymooners and jet setters anymore. Many islands are now host to family-friendly resorts that provide kids with a variety of water and other sports and activities to keep them busy and entertained, making them attractive family destinations. Likewise, several major cruise lines cater to families now or, like the Disney cruise line, focus solely on kid-friendly vacations at sea.
Finding Kid-friendly Accommodations
Whether you're looking at package deals or planning your own trip, when you're trying to decide where to stay, look for hotels and resorts that focus on families and offer amenities like professional babysitting, portable cribs, and children's menus for room service and on-site restaurants.
Family-friendly hotels and resorts may offer activity rooms for older children as well, which can take the pressure off you to make sure the kids are busy and entertained when they want to be.
Kid-friendly Means Busy Kids
Keep in mind that you can only rely so much on your destination and accommodations to keep your kids entertained and engaged. Bored kids are crabby kids and you're going to have to plan ways to keep your kids occupied just as if you were at home.
Don't forget to pack books, toys, games or a portable DVD player and your kids' favorite DVDs. The more things your kids have to do-and want to do-the more enjoyable your vacation will be for everyone.
If you're traveling with babies or younger children, be sure to schedule downtime into your kid-friendly vacation. Part of planning a kid-friendly vacation for wee ones is keeping them as close to their feeding and nap routines as best you can.
Be Prepared
Even the best-planned vacation isn't immune to mishap. Kids get sick, sunburned, and hurt themselves and usually at inopportune times. Make sure the items you pack for your kid-friendly vacation include, at a minimum, sunscreen, a first-aid kit and your child's pain reliever. Ginger ale and saltine crackers will ease motion sickness and water helps kids stay hydrated and alert.
Perhaps the best way to keep your vacation on track is to plan to keep an eye on what your kids are eating. Plan to keep their eating habits close to how they eat at home to ward off upset stomachs, nausea and diarrhea.
 | Be sure to follow this list of must-dos when planning a family friendly vacation. |
 | Traveling with kids does not have to be the mind-alteringly nightmarish journey that it seems like it would be. |
Consider occupying the children by playing a few kids' travel games while driving across the country or flying on a plane |
You can prepare a standard emergency first aid kit with essential first aid supplies and leave it in your vehicle so you won't have to remember to do this every time you travel. However, you'll want to update the kit every so often to make sure expiration dates are not exceeded and supplies are not missing. |
When going on a trip, you want to make sure you have a travel packing checklist to be sure you bring the right travel documents with you. |
