Once you have decided on your destination deciding what to do whilst on vacation, especially with kids, is both exciting and sometimes daunting.
We always like to mix up some cultural days, like visiting temples or ancient ruins with relaxing days on the beach and days that are based on fun for the fairy. Although these days we often find ourselves more excited than her! (We do love a water park!)
I believe that involving kids in the planning process is a win win. I’ve noticed that when kids feel like they’re part of the decision-making, their excitement and engagement levels soar. You can always choose destinations with interactive exhibits and hands-on learning opportunities like children’s museums, historical forts, or planetariums. Or don’t! Sure, all these things are super fun and engaging but what if you want to venture off the beaten track?
We have always enjoyed doing normal holiday stuff and things that perhaps other families would not think possible, for example, taking a 2 day trek in the Sapa mountains in Vietnam and staying with a tribe high up in the mountains. Now, I’m not suggesting this is for everyone but I want to let you know that it is possible to do the seemingly impossible if you just go for it!
In my opinion, embracing your kids’ natural curiosity and spontaneity transforms a typical holiday into an extraordinary exploration. This isn’t just about seeing new places; it’s also about witnessing your children discover the world. Get them involved in picking activities or let them lead the way in a new city. You’ll be surprised at what you can discover through their eyes.
Encouraging a sense of discovery is not only thrilling for the kids but educational too. They’ll absorb history, art, and science as part of the fun and this paves the way for learning without borders, escaping the confines of traditional classrooms.
Outdoor Adventures for Family Fun
You’re probably thinking, the great outdoors is a playground where imaginations can run wild, and you’re right. Exploring nature isn’t just a way to break free from daily routines; it’s a chance to instill a love of the environment in your kids.
Camping trips are always fun, I don’t think I have met any kid that does not enjoy spending a night under the stars (especially if marshmallows are involved!). Whether you choose a tent, camper van or a cabin in the woods the excitment on their faces is priceless and worth the potentially restless sleep on an airbed that slowly deflates! There is just something magical about setting up tents, cooking over a campfire, and stargazing, these are experiences that bond families and create lifelong memories.
We have visited lots of places with beautiful scenery, perfect for hiking. However, you have to be realistic when you have children with you. You may think an hours walk will be fun and exilirating for the family, but, in our experience we have a maximum of around 20 minutes before the fairy gets tired/bored/hungry/anything else she can think of to make us stop! Even if you are surrounded by nature and you have planned scavenger hunts, games and have stacked up on snacks and water, don’t be upset when you have to turn around and return back to your accommodation (or a conveniently placed bar/restaurant!) Just be realistic with the time and engage with them for that time. Run with them, find some cool rocks and hold a gross bug if you have too!
Creative Ways to Enjoy Downtime During the Trip
Don’t worry too much about packing every minute of your vacation with activities. Downtime is crucial, especially with kids. It’s that golden time when you’re not rushing to the next attraction, but rather soaking in the joy of being together, often creating the most cherished memories.
Firstly, we always like to take some games with us. Uno or other card games are great and easy to pack and we also have a few travel size board games we like to play, for example, Monopoly or chess with magnetic pieces.
Nothing beats the good old art of storytelling to spark creativity and curiosity. Picture this: after a day out, you’re all cozied up in your accommodation, and it’s story time. You can narrate tales of the day’s adventures, encouraging the kids to add their own twists. It’s not just fun; it fosters communication skills and memory.
If you fancy getting a bit messy and unleashing the inner artists in your family, why not pack a travel-friendly art kit? Crafting together captures the essence of the places you’ve visited. Children could create scrapbooks, do some painting, or collect items to make a collage. It’s a hands-on way to reflect on their experiences, and they’ll have a tangible memento to cherish.
I hope these tips have helped you to realise that vacationing with kids doesn’t have to be in an all inclusive hotel with kids clubs and entertainment. Vacations can be real and long lasting memories for you and your children and sometimes, venturing away from the norm will bring to closer to freedom.