Everyone’s idea of a perfect vacation is different, so planning a family vacation can be quite a challenge!
Susie wants to go to an amusement park.
Johnny could spend everyday at a baseball game.
Mom just wants to relax by the pool and read a book, and Dad can’t wait to go fishing!
Plan a family vacation that everyone will like
When it comes to planning a family vacation, it’s important to make sure that everyone gets a chance to do what they want, so this year let everyone have a turn being the “tour guide.” When you’re the “tour guide,” you’re in charge of vacation planning for the day (or more days if it’s a longer vacation). Here’s how it works:
- At least one month before vacation, have a family meeting to discuss what everyone would like to do, and choose a destination that will please everyone. Tip: Opt for a road trip to save money and allow for more activities.
- Mom and Dad will set a daily budget, and each family member is in charge of planning their day. This includes all meals and activities, but remember you must stick to the budget!
- As far as lodging, if you’re going to stay at the same destination for the entire trip, let Mom and Dad arrange the accommodations. If your vacation is a road trip with different destinations each night, you might consider letting the person in charge choose the lodging.
A few years ago our family “road-tested” this method of vacation planning, and it was a huge hit! At the time, we lived in Houston, and we chose to go to San Antonio.
Day 1 – Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Day 2 – Sea World
Day 3 – Golf
Day 4 – Hiking in a State Park
Let everyone play “tour guide” this summer, and you’ll discover a budget friendly family vacation that pleases everyone!
Happy travels!
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| Kristl’s kids, day one of their creative vacation week |
Mommy Roxi says
Ooh that's a great idea! Though right now Jacob is still pretty young to really understand where we go about, this'll come in handy the next time we travel to the US. Most of the time I just get to choose where we go. But now I'm married… There's another voice in the group. Lol
Becky Jane says
Vacations can be so relaxing if everyone helps, otherwise, Mom is glad to get back home so she can rest…lol
Your ideas sound like they would be to everyones advantage. Thanks.
prototype mama says
great tips– we're about to go our little family vacay to San antonio with 4 kids — so this was very helpful!
Shannon Milholland says
Kristi, what a great idea. I'm definitely the tour guide and I definitely don't ask for input as much as I should. Going to rectify that for our upcoming trip for which I haven't yet set a daily schedule. Thanks!
Familytravelsonabudget says
Rosann,
Today's post is all about staycations! Check it out!
Rosann says
Karen, this is great information. We will likely be having more of a staycation this year, but those kind of rules still apply. We all still want to get something different out of our time. Thanks for some vacation inspiration. 🙂
Blessings,
~Rosann
Familytravelsonabudget says
Pamela,
I've done lots of things I never thought I'd ever do! Mama confidence grows with the kids. Just this summer, I let go of the harness on a roller coaster for the first time. Who knew it would be that much more fun? You can teach an old dog new tricks!
Enjoy your summer.
ReviewsSheROTE Pamela R says
great tips…I've found planinng day trips and letting my children choose between three or four pre picked places IS lots of fun–they are just 6 and 10 so Ziplining is Cabo is out for now (big sigh of relief from MAMA) but when they are old enough I'm sure something JUST as CRAZY will be on their wish list!!! I can barely walk on a 2nd floor motel balcony -guess I'd support them from the ground =)
Familytravelsonabudget says
Awesome!
Glad I could help — though Kristl gets all the credit for this ingenious idea. While I have included my kids in planning, I have never given them free reign to plan an entire day. Could be interesting watching two teen boys tag along with an eight year old diva, though!
Happy travels.
Erin says
Karen, it is so funny that I read this post today! We are exactly one month out from our family vacation. I'm going to print this out and sit down with everyone over dinner and plan what we are going to do! You rock, sister!
Thanks for sharing!
~Erin
Familytravelsonabudget says
You know, I'm a relaxing kind of mama too, but I learned a few years ago that I actually enjoy getting out of my comfort zone. Jumping into underwater lakes in Cancun, ziplining in Cabo, wave surfing in Florida, and mountain hiking all over the place are quite fun! The kids appreciate my involvement AND I get more quiet reading time when it's pool day.
BTW, every good golfer needs a caddie to say “nice shot” even when they duff it into the woods of the next hole over! 🙂
Kenya G. Johnson says
So did everyone go play golf or did you just ride along? The compromise part is hard. This mom would just like to sit, relax and read somewhere. I suppose I could do it from a golf cart.