Remember the days when traveling meant carefree adventures and the joy of spontaneity? As a parent traveling with little one(s) now, the days of packing everything in just a small carry-on luggage, booking the cheapest room you can find, and stumbling upon activities and restaurants on the whim are long gone.
Traveling with kids is a whole new ball game – one that demands planning a family trip itinerary and awareness of schedules to accommodate any unforeseen scenarios.
My husband and I are both Type A when it comes to planning our travel itineraries as we like to maximize our time at our destinations. Traveling with our toddler now requires us to do extra planning so we deal with less unexpected (and expansive) toddler scenarios and enjoy more fun memories together as a family.
We have brought our toddler to a few destinations so far which ranged from a 10-hour road trip, a cross-country flight for a 5-day cruise, and a 4-day city vacation. We love travel planning and understand the challenges and effort that can come with crafting the perfect family trip itinerary.
In this blog post, I’ll be sharing 10 worthy tips on how to plan the perfect family trip itinerary to help you create an unforgettable vacation with your little ones!
10 Worthy Tips On How To Plan The Perfect Family Trip Itinerary
Alright, you have decided on the destination, booked your flights, and maybe accommodations for the family trip. What is next? Planning a fun-filled itinerary that works for the whole family! Whether you have 1 kid or multiples, young or older kids, here are 10 worthy tips on how to plan the perfect family trip itinerary:
Pin the top attractions, restaurants, and accommodations on Google Maps
Google Maps has been a game-changer for me since I started planning travel itineraries in 2015. So, before setting off on your family adventure, use the power of Google Maps to your advantage. Pin all the must-visit attractions, kid-friendly restaurants, and AirBnB or hotel accommodations onto your personalized map. By doing so, you’ll gain a much better sense of where everything is, allowing you to group activities together efficiently, saving travel time and maximizing your days.
Consider any time zone changes
If you are in a different time zone at your travel destination, you might want to make note of the home time when planning your itinerary. My son can be a menace when he doesn’t take his nap at his usual time so I try to stick with his usual schedule to prevent any overtired toddler tantrums. Consider planning ahead by noting down the equivalent home time on your itinerary to anticipate when they might feel sleepy so you don’t accidentally plan an overstimulating activity at that time. Being mindful of their sleep patterns can make the transition smoother for everyone.
Consider your child’s nap times and bedtime
Happy kids mean a happier trip and a more relaxing time for everyone. Take note of your child’s regular nap times and bedtime and plan your activities and meals around those timeframes. This will help you pace the day effectively, ensuring your little ones stay energized and content throughout the fun-filled days.
Check the weather leading up to your trip to make itinerary adjustments as needed
Don’t let the weather rain on your parade. Keep a close eye on the daily forecast leading up to the trip and adjust your itinerary accordingly. If it’s going to be a scorching hot day, maybe plan for an outdoor activity where there’s plenty of shade or an indoor activity that will surely have free A/C! If it’s a rainy day, arrange indoor activities to keep the fun going without being at the mercy of Mother Nature. Planning a family trip with the weather in consideration will help you craft an itinerary with activities that are more prepared and suitable.
Make note of weekdays vs weekends for your itinerary
Planning your activities on less crowded days can save your family a lot of time and a smoother, less stressful day. Schedule popular activities, such as famous landmarks and highly reviewed restaurants, on weekdays to steer clear of weekend masses. This strategic planning will benefit your family more space and time to enjoy the attractions peacefully.
Check hours of operation for every restaurant and activity
Nothing is more frustrating than finally reaching your destination only to find it closed. Now you have a hangry kid, you’re also hungry and bummed, and have to spontaneously find another restaurant as time is getting closer to your child’s bedtime. Avoid this unfortunate situation by checking the operating hours of restaurants and activities as you are planning the family trip itinerary. This way, you can confidently tackle your travel days without unwelcome surprises.
Slot in the mandatory time for activities, attractions, and restaurants depending on hours of operations or special occasions
Once you have the hours of operation for each restaurant and activity noted down, start slotting them into your itinerary that is most suitable. Some activities or events may have fixed timings or require reservations. Block out specific time slots for these mandatory experiences, and structure the rest of your day around them for a stress-free adventure with your family.
Group activities, restaurants, cafes etc. together in your itinerary
Once you have slotted in your mandatory activities and events for the best-suited day and time, you can now plan the rest of the day according to the distance of the other activities. This is a great time to revisit your personalized Google Maps that you created in Step #1 to see what other pins are nearby your must-do activities.
Route the distance between each activity to get an estimate of travel time to your next destination
Route the travel time between each activity on Google Maps to get a better insight into the travel duration and the best mode of transportation. Whether you’re walking, driving, or taking public transportation, use Google Maps to chart your course. This also gives you a better idea of what transportation mode you and your family will be using the most and how you can prepare for it. For example, if there is a lot of driving needed, you will need to book a car and if there is public transportation needed, you might need to get a reloadable transportation card for the family. Pro tip: for more accurate travel duration, route for that exact day and approximate time to account for traffic that typically happens around that day and time. Planning your itinerary with travel time between each activity can be a lot of work but it will help you visualize your days and ensure that your days are fun and stress-free.
Do not pack your days back-to-back, leave some wiggle room between each activity
Resist the temptation to pack every minute with plans. Allow for some breathing room between activities, leaving space for impromptu discoveries and unforeseen delights. Remember to embrace flexibility and keep an open mind to create lasting memories with your family. It’s okay if the days don’t go as planned. As long as everyone’s having a good time, that’s all it matters!
How Do I Start An Itinerary?
I like to plan my trip itineraries on Google Sheets! Google Sheets is a great way to plan itineraries for many reasons:
- It allows multiple people to be in the document to make edits simultaneously. Everyone has access to it so they can make suggestions and see the latest changes before the trip.
- Google Sheets can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, be it a computer, smartphone, or tablet. This means that you can view and update your travel itinerary on the go. You can even access it without internet connection if you enable offline access beforehand.
- Google Sheets provides a neat and organized way to arrange information. You can use different tabs within the document for different topics like expenses, itineraries, and travel details. You can also use different colored fonts or cells to make it look more user-friendly.
How Many Days Is Good For A Family Vacation?
This can depend on so many factors! The ideal duration for a family can vary depending on the destination, your budget, the ages of the kids, the travel distance, and your family’s lifestyle and preferences.
For me, we have a family of 3 and our travel style is a lot of exploring and maximizing our days. For destinations that are driveable, we would allocate 3-4 days to visit a few attractions and try local eateries. For destinations that are cross-country, we would allocate 5-6 days as the travel duration would already take up almost 2 of those days. For international destinations, I would allocate at least 1 and a half weeks but ideally 2 weeks. The time zone change when going to a different country can be rough on you and the kids. It is normal to expect your little ones to need a day or two to adjust their sleep schedules. International travels can be very tiring and stressful so give you and your family enough time to rest and tackle exploring a new city!
What Makes A Great Family Vacation?
A great family vacation is created from the love, laughter, and adventure you share together, whether you have an itinerary or not! It’s not about the destination or fancy resorts, it’s about the memories you make and the bonds that are strengthened. Whether it’s exploring a new city hand in hand, building sandcastles on a sun-kissed beach, or simply savoring a meal together, it’s the simple joys that will create an unforgettable family getaway.
Final Thoughts On 10 Worthy Tips On How To Plan The Perfect Family Trip Itinerary
Embarking on a family adventure with little ones can be super fun and memorable. However, it can also lead to moments of stress and exhaustion if you go on a family vacation unprepared. To make the most of your vacation, take the time to craft a thoughtful itinerary to include important details and a flexible schedule filled with fun activities. By doing so, you’ll be prepared to have an enjoyable vacation, quality time with your family and lasting memories for a lifetime.
Sources
https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/Google-Spreadsheets?Offer=abt_pubpro_AI-Insider