Helpful Ideas for vacationing with kids (and actually enjoying it!)
I am just getting settled after nearly a month of traveling with three kids (and no hubby along!) While it is fresh on my mind I thought I would share a few of the (little ) things that I’ve found make a (big) difference in my travels with kids over the years.
This doesn’t cover everything of course, but here’s a few things I had to figure out for myself, so thought I would pass along…
HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS. We all know that traveling with kids will not really be a vacation in a vacationy sense, right? So forget about it. Adjust accordingly! Depending on where you’re going and what you’re doing, you’ll probably get some vacationy moments, but mentally prepare to still be on parent duty like any other day. It’s ok. Just try to imagine all of the fun memories you’ll be creating as a family! (which one day, of course, you’ll think of as the best memories ever. Maybe even better than sleeping in a lounge chair by the pool, or eating meals in peace. Maybe.)
PACK LIGHT, BUT PACK SMART. I have always been one to overpack and then regret it. It’s no fun lugging a humongous suitcase around when we all end up wearing the same three t-shirts the entire vacation. I’m learning to become a lighter packer, but I try to be thoughtful about what we all bring. Which specific toiletries does everyone really need? Narrow it down. (you can always buy cough syrup if by some rare chance you need it.) How many pair of shoes is reasonable? (I still struggle with that one.) And does my little guy really need two complete Lego sets, fourteen books and three stuffed toys in his carry on? (well, ok apparently yes.)
~~~~ALSO…INCLUDE A FEW SPECIAL ITEMS THAT MAKE YOU FEEL AT HOME.
I love this. Consider the things that really make you feel comfortable, whether you’re couch surfing or staying in a hotel. These will be different for everyone, but my personal list includes:
A coffee mug! Call me crazy, but coffee tastes best out of a real mug, and depending on where you’re staying, they may not supply one.
My hair-drying towel. (What do you even call those things?…the things you wrap your wet hair in while you’re getting ready?) Having one with me makes me feel so much more at home! I always bring one!
Slippers. I love warm feet!
A favorite treat. Seriously, a little stash of good chocolates or hard candies are almost always in my bag. You never know when you’re gonna want something and it’s nice to have what you like along! (Shh, don’t tell the kids.)
Starbucks VIA instant coffee. You just never know. Like that one time I woke up in a hotel room in a different time zone so so so tired only to find our hotel coffee maker was stocked with only decaf coffee. I nearly died. Via is my security blanket. {Also side note if you’re staying with a family: Did you know that some families don’t even drink coffee? I can’t explain it, but it’s true. BE PREPARED.}
PACK SOME HEALTHY SNACKS FOR EVERYONE. Besides my hidden chocolates, I really do try to keep a stash of nuts, fruit and other healthy snacks for all of us. If I can’t travel with them, then I find a market to visit soon after I get to my destination. (Trader Joes if at all possible! :)) It’s just a plain fact that none of us will eat as healthy as usual on a vacation, so having healthy snacks along just helps compensate a bit.
REQUIRE SOME ‘QUIET WORK’ FOR EVERYONE, DAILY IF POSSIBLE. I make everyone in our family pack books, journals, and quiet work for our trips. The kids may try to fight it, but the truth is at some point in every day–we all need some down time! Tell a twelve-year-old to take a nap on vacation, and he’ll think you’re OUT OF YOUR MIND, but give him twenty minutes with a book, and you might just find him accidentally asleep. (hehehe.) This is good. Regrouping, calming, and resting is good for everyone.
(When possible) DIVIDE LONGER TRIPS BETWEEN BEING A GUEST IN SOMEONE’S HOME AND STAYING IN A HOTEL. I think this is key, especially if you’re staying longer than a couple of days! (You remember the thing about house guests and fish, right? They’re both great for about three days and then they begin to stink. haha.)
While we were in California we had a great time staying with a couple different families, but we also spent a week at the Embassy Suites Irvine. It felt great to have some time in our own space, and not have to worry about being in anyone’s way!
IF YOUR FAMILY DOES STAY IN A HOTEL, CHOOSE EMBASSY SUITES.
You might remember that our family loves Embassy Suites from our weekend in Waikiki. But this is actually the second summer in California that we chose to stay in an Embassy Suites during Luke’s surf contests. And here’s a fact: There is a huge difference between staying in a traditional hotel room, with two beds, (with everyone in one room together, slowing losing their minds) and a two-bedroom suite at Embassy Suites. Two bedrooms, a living room, and kitchenette makes all the difference in the world! While at Embassy Suites I stayed up after kids went to sleep and watched whatever the heck I wanted on TV, and I got up early to have coffee without waking the kids! So nice! Add to that a full-service breakfast, and happy hour every night (with great snacks and drinks for all ages) and the whole family felt super spoiled. While we were there I also did laundry, worked out in the awesome fitness room, and swam and jacuzzi’d with the boys every day. Can’t beat it! (It didn’t hurt that the Embassy Suites Irvine just went through a 12 million dollar renovation and was truly stunning.)
LEAVE THE WORK BEHIND. When you can, let your vacation time with family be fully dedicated to time with family. We all have work to do wherever we go, but I find vacations the most special time to just give kids the time and attention they beg for all year-long. A vacation is a great time to fill their love tanks, have some really good talks, and make memories to last a lifetime. Take advantage of this time away from your normal schedule and responsibilities and just enjoy your family. (another reason hotels are great–Hello cleaning service every day!)
I’d love to hear what you have learned to make family travels easier, too!
Would you share a tip or lesson learned in the comments below!?
Much Aloha, and here’s to finishing off the summer with happy and safe travels!
Big thank you to the Embassy Suites Irvine for hosting me and my boys this summer!
Monica
PS Except for the few that I snatched from the Embassy Suites website, please excuse the less-than-great iPhone photos here. Somehow I lost the family roshambo over who got to have the camera, and my promise to you is I will not lose that one again. 😉
Love this Post, Monica….
As a family that travels often, something I do that my boys anticipate each trip we travel on planes, is their own backpacks. I stuff each of these with fun activity books like “paint by stickers,” hidden picture books, usborne (awesome books!) candy, snacks, and a screen that they are never allowed to be on, unless we are traveling on a plane. This makes it extra special for them! We also have our boys “earn” screen time on the plane by doing extra chores around the house. Win for me, win for them! haha. A few times my 11 year old washed all of our downstairs windows, which was a pretty big job!
They look forward to their backpacks every time the plane takes off!
Every summer for us we roadtrip. All 4 if us in a little Honda. This year we picked up bikes and a bike rack. Now I know many people do not rent bikes but we did whenever we went to Edisto, SC. Saved us money bringing our own. The eldest was always asking to bike to the beach. A bonus. Packing light….I am learning this. Living overseas helped, with strict luggage restrictions and smaller standard hotel rooms space saving was key. I go with my sister’s advice, bring shoes you are going to wear more than once. We bring cards and our own board games. Two for room sake. We stay at timeshares which often provide board games as well. This year we brought a crockpot. Two weeks in two different spots with a full kitchen. We ate out 4x total. A kitchen helps. Thanks Monica for sharing your tips. 🙂 This is a good reminder that in a few years my boys will have lives and vacations of their own. Meanwhile making memories is important. 🙂
I loved all of that Laura! So interesting and sounds like you guys have some really fun travels!! Thank you for sharing, I just went on a little mental vacation too! 🙂 XO
With 4 kids staying in a hotel is a tight fit. We now love airbnb and our timeshares. However, when we do stay at hotels, someplace with lots of room and free breakfast helps a lot. Thanks for sharing the tips.
i think it’s a good idea to pack some extra clothes, like underwear, leggings, tee shirt for each kid and myself, and keep them in my carry on. You never know what might happen! Little kid’s clothes can be folded up quite small, so they don’t take up a whole lot of space, and it’s worth it, should your child have an unplanned incident. I also think snacks are important wherever you go, but especially in the carry on.
So good Tracy!! I’ve learned that (the extra clothes in carry-on) the hard way a few times! Thanks for sharing! 😉
Welcome home, Swansons! Thanks for the great post! I agree with all of your tips/tricks, having been lucky to travel with our sons since they were tiny babies. A hotel w/ a suite arrangement and a free breakfast are essential. We love Embassy Suites and Homewood Suites.
Odd things we always pack:
-ziplock bags ( think left overs,seashells, really messy clothes,etc.)
-empty water bottles for every family member that can be lost with no tears (fill up after airport security and each day before leaving the hotel)
-laundry pods ( That way you can always pack less)
We have learned the hard way to only carry on:
-A swimsuit for everyone
-all varieties of chargers
-change of clothes for the kids
-wipes
-medicines
-travel documents
Lost luggage is no longer a terrifying event when we have these items!
Your trip sounds amazing. I hope it was all you hoped for!
Brilliant Shannon! You are so smart. 😉 Thank you and always fun to see you here!! ALOHA!
These are great tips, thanks, Monica!! We stayed at the Embassy Suites by the convention center in Washington, DC this past March. It was lovely and we’d definitely stay there again!