Planning a multigenerational family vacation is a rare opportunity to bring everyone together. As amazing as it can be, however, it takes serious planning. The more diverse your group is, the more things you need to take into consideration. With such a wide range of age groups, you will want to carefully plan a trip that meets everyone’s needs.
Ready to create a once in a lifetime memory? Here is everything you need to know about planning a multigenerational family vacation.
Taking About a Multigenerational Family Vacation
From the very youngest kids to the most well-traveled grandparents, it is essential to let everyone have their say. A trip shouldn’t just be for the kids any more than it should just be for the adults. Plan things that everyone will enjoy. Of course, you don’t need to be attached at the hip! Aim to plan destinations that allow you to split up into smaller groups then come back together.
Bringing the whole family together at the table for planning is an ideal way to connect before the trip and start getting excited about the adventure.
Choose Accommodation for a Multigenerational Family
Pack Together
You are going to have a ton of stuff, especially if you have young children along. That is why it is essential to plan together. You don’t want to be bringing multiples of everything. Having four bottles of shower gel or half a dozen bottles of hand sanitizer will just weigh you down. Create one central packing list of items that you can share.
Decide who is bringing what then create individual packing lists. It takes a bit more preparation but it can seriously lighten your load (which can also reduce costs on luggage check-ins).
Taking a road trip? Read this first!
Be Clear on Budgeting
Decide up front who will be paying for what. You don’t want to have an awkward conversation every time the bill arrives. Before you leave, consider all of the costs of travel, accommodation, and expenses on arrival.
If you are staying at an all-inclusive resort, it is a bit simpler to split it all up at once. If you are going to be paying for everything on arrival, it’ll be a tricker. Simple communication, however, will make all of the difference. There is no need to put a damper on your trip with worries about money.
Plan Something for Everyone on Your Multigenerational Family Vacation
During those planning chats, keep some notes about what everyone is looking to get out of the trip then get creative! Maybe some of you want to split up to go to the museum while the others lounge in the park outside with ice cream while others go on a bike ride around the park. Look for things that will split you up for small segments of the day.
It is even better if you can mix and match family members! Try to pair up people for activities so everyone can create unique memories with different members of the family. If the young ones will be running around all afternoon, send them with the grandparents in the evening when they are more chilled out.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get solo time. Let couples bond together. Have a few adults-only outings. Try to have as many unique experiences as you can in your time away.
Give Grandparents Down Time
Just because the grandparents want to spend extra nights in doesn’t mean they should always be the default babysitters. Everyone should have some time to let loose or just curl up with a good book. Even if they offer to watch the kids, don’t make it into a full-time job.
If you have young kids that need constant supervision, it’s definitely worth looking into resorts with kids’ clubs or even local daycare options.
Stay Glued to the Camera
Take as many photos as you can. A multigenerational family vacation is a truly special event and it is one that you will never want to forget. Take as many photos as you possibly can and be sure to ask others to take full group shots so that no one is missing from the photos.
Kids will love making scrapbooks and photo album when they get home. These are memories they can cherish for a life tip.
Tip- Don’t get too bogged down in getting the perfect shot! As long as it’s a clear pic and people have their eyes open, you are set. It is easy to waste a lot of time trying to get everything perfect but, in the end, it’s those not-so-perfect shots that are usually the best!
Tip- Thinking about a camera for our kids? Can’t start early enough. Check out the best digital cameras for kids.
