I love travelling but I know far too well that planning a trip can often be tedious and stressful, and planning a trip with kids is a whole new ball game. If you want to live out your travel dreams and have kids at the same time, there are a few things you must keep in mind before you embark on a family holiday.
Keep them involved
Make sure your children are in the mix from the beginning. Start with allowing them to pick the location or allow them to decide what they would like to do. Would the beach be something you all would enjoy? How about a nature adventure trip? Or just an amusement park vacation? Once you decide what you want to do while considering your kids’ opinions, you can decide what place to go next.
You must also consider the age range of your children. You shouldn’t decide to go on a cruise with a baby or toddler or go to a theme park when your kids are younger than the age of four. But beach holidays are for everyone and every age. Involving your kids in the decision process will make the trip more exciting and memorable for them.
Kid friendly places and activities
Travelling with kids means doing a lot of things kids like to do. Keep in mind that you may have to sit through some childlike activities to make them happy, and it may also make you happy to be there. You may participate in those activities as well. Another thing to help you save is focusing on kids eat free restaurants or free entry for kids at certain places and activities like museums, bowling, or circuses.
Budgeting and Saving
After deciding where you want to go, create a budget for what you have to spend and what you want to spend. Consider all expenses and determine what kind of place you would like to stay in. Whether you would like to stay in a hotel or in an Airbnb, watch out for the best deals and rates to get the most out of your money. The same goes for finding plane tickets if you have to or would like to fly, or road tripping, train rides, etc.
Once you’ve made your budget and list of expenses for you and your family, begin your saving as soon as possible. Come up with a way to limit your spending so you could save a little more. Set a weekly limit so you know how much you have to spend on a daily basis. Keep this regimen until you’ve reached your goal for your travels.
Having trouble saving enough within a short time frame? Try earning some extra cash on the side. Drive for Uber or Lyft for a few weeks and have that money go directly to your trip. Before you decide to get a second job, try considering selling some of your belongings online, or sell your crafts by creating an online store. Having a second income will boost your savings drastically and not only will you save more in less time, but you will also have more flexibility with your funds.
Pack smart and keep it simple
Try to pack as little as possible and be smart about it. Thinking of whether you have to pay for luggage as you go on your trip will keep you motivated to pack light. Try to fit all of your belongings and your children’s into one luggage. Decide what your family’s essentials are and work around that.
What to pack for you and your kids:
- First aid kit
- Pyjamas
- Underwear
- Pants and/or shorts
- Shirts
- Swimsuit
- Rain jacket
- Hat
- Socks and one pair of shoes
Keeping the trip simple will lead to less stress and more flexibility for you and your kids. It’s important to plan but don’t over plan. Travelling with kids is always worthwhile and there are many reasons to have them along on holiday.
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