5 Tips to Plan a Stress-Free Family Vacation
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In the past 14 years of travelling internationally as a family, we have had our fair share of travel hiccups – but some of those have turned into beautiful memories that could never have been planned. Below, I’m sharing my top 5 Lessons in Planning a Stress-free Family Vacation to help you safe-guard your travel plans and your sanity.
Family vacations are supposed to be fun; a break from the daily grind and a chance to make memories together while exploring either new destinations or familiar favorites. But we all have one of those travel stories that felt you feeling like you need another vacation just to recover.
We’ve experienced everything at this point – hurricanes, riots, flight cancellations and delays, lost luggage and perhaps the worst for young Ella, losing her beloved doll which even made national Dutch news.
The truth is, even the best travel plans can hit turbulence – literally and figuratively. But with a little preparation and the right mindset, you can handle most curveballs that come your way.
Here are five tried-and-true tips to help you plan a smoother, more relaxed family getaway.
1. Plan Ahead (to be Flexible)
Advance planning sets the stage for a more organized trip. Honestly, planning trips is half of the fun for me of even taking a vacation!
I like to spend a lot of time researching the area that we’re travelling to, mapping out our must-hit spots and creating an itinerary, knowing my travel options and “plan Bs” – what we’ll do in the event what we want to do falls through.
Everything from having a “rainy day” plan that can be swapped in for any day that relies on good weather to back-up travel options.
I give myself lots of transition time between activities in case we want to spend a bit longer at one spot or see something close-by that we want to hit up; book long lay-overs whenever possible; and schedule rest days/afternoons directly in our itinerary – even if we don’t need the rest, in which case we can go back to a favorite spot or just be spontaneous!
Admittedly, overplanning can be its own trap – sometimes the unplanned moments make the best memories.
And while you can’t control every delay, you can be ready for them. Review your airline’s rebooking and refund policies before you fly. If your flight is canceled, you may actually be eligible for flight cancellation compensation under Canadian, USA or European air passenger rules – a small but meaningful consolation when travel plans go sideways.
2. Pack Smart & Light
Ask any parent: nothing derails a trip faster than realizing you’re missing essentials. Arguably, just as bad is an overstuffed suitcase that leaves no room for souvenirs and results in overweight baggage fees!
I have several packing lists for families on the site (this one for Disney, this one for packing for a rental cottage weekend and this one for travelling with just a carry-on) – but my key tips are:
- Pack carry-on with medications, ID, travel docs, a change of clothes, portable chargers, a few snacks and entertainment options. Any special comfort objects should also be in the carry-on.
- Pack pieces that do double-time – from a pair of jeans you can wear twice to universal chargers that reduce the amount of cords you pack.
- If you travel often (or plan to) invest in travel-sized versions of items that can take up a lot of room, like hair tools or first-aid kits, or versions that fold well, like foldable hats or compact travel blankets/pillows.
- If you’re not sure you’ll need an item and it can easily be secured for under $20 in under 20 minutes while on vacation – leave it at home.
I’ve had my luggage delayed before, so having a night of essentials in our carry-on made that a lot less stressful.
I’ve also often unpacked at the end of a trip and realized I never wore certain items or didn’t need others. I’d rather have more room for souvenirs and not stress about baggage fees, so I try to learn each trip about what travel items are worth purchasing and bringing along, and which can just be purchased on-the-go, if needed.
3. Make Mishaps Memorable, not Miserable
A good mindset is the most important thing to bring on vacation!
A crowded beach is either a nightmare or a sign that you’re at a great spot with plenty of opportunities to make travel friends. A travel delay or missed connection is a great opportunity to explore airport playgrounds, check out the airports’ unique art displays or indulge in a sit-down meal.
Weather, delays, detours, melt-downs, closures and cancellations happen all of the time – and while I suggest planning for it as best you can, you can’t plan for everything but you can plan to have a good attitude when your plans change.
Look for opportunities to make new, unexpected memories and model calm, positive attitudes and problem-solving skills.
I failed to book tickets to the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam years ago, so we travelled all the way to a museum only to be turned away. We instead got giant pancakes next door as we made new plans for our morning – finding a CAT MUSEUM nearby! My daughter loved the turn of events.
And if your flight does get canceled, remember that airlines may owe more than a rebooking – families can sometimes claim compensation for the inconvenience. Knowing your rights before you travel turns chaos into a manageable challenge. AirHelp is a Trust Pilot-recognized service that can give you info and help you navigate this process.
4. Keep Everyone Fed and Hydrated
Traveling on empty stomachs is a recipe for meltdowns – for kids and parents.
Snacks can be your secret weapon against stress. Pack easy, mess-free options like trail mix, granola bars, fruit pouches or Uncrustables. Avoid too many sugary treats that cause crashes, but pack a couple special treats to avoid the airport mark-ups.
Bring refillable water bottles to keep everyone hydrated, especially on long flights or hot-day excursions. Many airports now have refill stations past security, which saves both money and waste.
And honestly, as much as the airport mark-ups drive me crazy, it’s better to splurge on a meal if you underpack or have a delay rather than risk everyone getting a bit hangry. Often, if you have a delay, you will be entitled to a meal voucher per traveler so know your rights before you travel! (I also always have zip-top baggies for saving leftovers or opened snacks so we’re not throwing out a granola bar with one bite out of it and can take left-overs to go quickly if the flight time changes.)
5. Protect Your Memories (and Your Sanity)
Back-up your camera roll each day and make notes or journal about your favorite travel memories as you go. I’ve accidentally deleted an entire days’ worth of photos in Paris and it still makes me want to cry when I think of it. Plus, there are so many times that we have an impromptu meal that ends up being incredible but I didn’t write down where it was, so I can’t pass on the recommendation or go back one day.
I love getting my daughter’s thoughts at the end of the day – either on video or writing them down. It’s so special to look back years later and see what she thought the highlight of the day was compared to what I expected it to be.
Part of protecting your memories is also mindset – what do you want your kids to remember about this trip? Mom melting down because yet another thing went wrong, or mom taking them on an airport scavenger hunt when they got a BONUS two hours to explore?
Invest in back-up cloud storage, buy the travel insurance and prioritize rest.
(Below is a picture of us exploring a playground in Paris while seriously jetlagged because there was an issue accessing our rental when scheduled – she may have also fallen asleep on a park bench shortly after this picture was taken.)
A stress-free family vacation doesn’t mean every moment goes perfectly – it means you’re prepared enough to roll with the punches.
Plan and pack smart, embrace hiccups with humor and positivity and remember why you’re on a family vacation.
Whether your family’s journey runs smoothly or hits a few bumps, the best part of travel is always the same: you’re making memories together.
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