Whether you’re planning to explore a National Park in the States, visit a theme park, go on a camping trip or spend some time on the gorgeous Caribbean beaches, we’ve got all the best tips on how to plan a family vacation!

Family vacation planning checklist

Here’s what you need to know!

Decide where to go with your family

Settling on a destination for your family vacation is hard. There are so many different things to keep in mind; from the kind of experience you’re looking to have, how much you’re willing to spend, what you’d like to see, and the interests of both parents and kids.

A great place to start is by listing what everyone likes to do, and the activities you enjoy doing together. Whether this includes going on long hikes, spending time at museums and other historic places, or simply going to the beach, all this information will come in handy when deciding where to go. If your trip includes family members who do not live near you, you can involve them in the process by sending out an email survey to weigh preferences.

Create a list of places based on where you have always wanted to go and consider which attractions and activities are available in each. Give points to places with stunning nature, varied land and sea activities, spas, and dining. You’ll be able to narrow down your destination list depending on what’s available where. You’ll also be able to swipe some other places off the list depending on your budget, distance to destination, availability of flights, and other considerations. Choose a destination that’s convenient for everyone

Plan your potential dates

Time of year matters when it comes to travel, as prices, weather and crowds vary depending on the low, shoulder, and peak seasons of individual destinations. Many families choose to travel during the summer, which is peak season in some places. For countries in the Caribbean though, summer is associated with shoulder season travel – during this time you may find better prices and less crowds on the beach. Summer is also a great time to travel because the kids are out of school, and thus they won’t be missing out on anything. Spring break is another option, as is winter vacation.

Overall, if you want to save money, travel during the low season. Keep in mind this means conditions like weather may be less than optimal and there might be less going on, but there are also the benefits; like being able to secure accommodation and book tours without much hassle.

Pro tip: For parents who have no alternative other than taking kids out during the middle of the school year due to an inflexible vacation schedule, plan with your child’s teachers so they can do some extra work before setting off. Avoid scheduling trips during standardized test time, as it can be hard to reschedule these.

Define your budget

Not sure where to start when planning a family vacation? Creating a budget will help you make some headway. Where this is concerned, you’ll need to decide how much you are willing to spend early on in the process, and on what. Once you’ve decided on your budget, you’ll be able to select your accommodation, activities, and other things that are important to you and your family.

Aside from thinking about and budgeting for how you and your family will get there, whether by airplane, train, or by car, you’ll need to decide how you’re going to get around once you arrive. If you’re going by plane or train, you may need a car to take you around and fuel top ups should be part of your budget. You’ll also need to include the expected cost of rentals and taxis.

Accommodation

Options are endless when it comes to accommodation for your family vacation, but this list is a little less broad when travelling with kids. Family travel requires picking a hotel, resort, villa, or other accommodation with proper amenities.

Excursions & entertainment

Excursions can be costly, so the budget conscious will need to plan this aspect carefully. With that said, there are lots of options to keep kids busy while on vacation. Parents can opt to take their kids to amusement parks or on adventure tours. Depending on where you go shows, concerts, and museums are other options. Plan carefully and ensure you take into account the cost of tickets or bookings for everyone who will be included. Make sure the drive to the local attractions is not too long.

Make safety and health a priority

The safety and wellbeing of their children is always at the forefront of any parent’s mind. Vacation time is not excluded. Things like whether you can find an English-speaking doctor if you need one and the quality of hospitals available at your destination are common considerations. Healthwise, it’s also important to ensure your children have all the necessary vaccinations before heading off to foreign destinations. This can be sorted out with a quick trip to their pediatrician. Overall, travel protection plans are recommended for family and other types of travel. These can help safeguard families against the unexpected, including cancellation fees, trip interruption, medical expenses, and expenses related to baggage loss or delay.

Plan excursions and activities

Just as it is important to book your trip in advance, so too it is necessary to schedule your activities and excursions as early as possible. Doing so will ensure that things flow smoothly once you get to your destination. This should be a priority especially during the peak season, to avoid being unable to do certain things as a result of tours being sold out.

Things to book in advance include tours, theater tickets, and theme park tickets. Get your kids involved in this process by getting their input on what they’d like to do once at the destination. This can save you from spending on things they really aren’t interested in. Factor in how many excursions you want to book, keeping in mind some of the things that may already be available for free at your hotel or resort.

Make sure all passports are up to date

Generally, travelers are required to have at least 6 months remaining on their passports before expiry when traveling overseas. This means your passport should be valid at least 6 months beyond your departure date. Additionally, and even more important, every member of your family including kids (no matter their age) will need a passport for international travel by air.

If your child does not have a passport, apply for one well ahead of your trip as processing takes time. If your child is under 16, you’ll need to apply at a local passport agency in person, and your child is also required to make an appearance. When applying, bring along all necessary supporting documentation to speed up the process. Also inquire about getting your passports expedited.