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Choose More Spacious Accommodation
When planning a family-friendly holiday, selecting a destination that everyone agrees upon is just the start. To ensure comfort and convenience, I recommend booking accommodations with one extra bedroom than necessary. This approach not only increases the availability of bathrooms and living areas but also provides a quiet space for those who need it. Additionally, it creates a practical area to store belongings such as suitcases, winter coats, and outdoor footwear.
Opting for a place with multiple living areas can be particularly beneficial. If these spaces are sufficiently separated, it allows for a quiet nook for book lovers while others can enjoy a lively sports game on TV without interruption.
Doing thorough research is essential; thus, checking reviews and photos is crucial before finalizing your choice. This helps avoid any disappointments, so circulating your top accommodation options among key family members for feedback is a wise decision.
Prioritize Safety and Accessibility
While no destination is completely accessible, there are vital steps you can take to make traveling easier for family members with mobility challenges. Modern booking platforms allow you to learn from previous guests’ experiences and ask critical questions of property owners or managers regarding their accessibility features.
Being upfront about any accessibility requirements is important, as filters on booking sites often lack reliability. Carefully consider the needs of your travel companions; for instance, determine whether complete step-free access is necessary or if a minor step would suffice. Assess necessities such as grab bars in bathrooms or walk-in showers based on individual needs.
Examine listing photos closely for details like showers over tubs, stair locations, parking distance, and flooring safety. If any information isn’t clear, don’t hesitate to reach out with specific questions. Keeping a record of your inquiries can help you remember essential details for future bookings.
Always assume that accommodations may not be adequately childproof. Therefore, it’s prudent to have backup plans for essential equipment like baby playpens, as it’s possible to find damaged items that previous guests didn’t report. Reading reviews from earlier dates on promising properties can reveal dealbreakers and ensure you make an informed decision.
Implement Time-Saving Strategies
If you’re contemplating renting a vehicle, consider utilizing two standard-sized cars instead of one minivan. This arrangement grants dynamic flexibility during your travels.
Upon arrival, delegate the more energetic members of the group (i.e., adults and older teens) to handle luggage and take one vehicle directly to your accommodation for check-in. The other vehicle can accommodate family members who may need a slower pace.
Investigate whether shopping delivery services are available to save yourself a trip to the grocery store right after arrival. Instead, inquire with your host for local restaurant recommendations for your initial meals.
Clarifying expectations for your first night can be helpful. Even if hosts indicate a ‘no’ for provisions, they may still be willing to assist with basic items for a small fee, which can save you future hassle.
Establishing a buddy system during your holiday can help. For example, assign one child to each adult to ensure that essentials like shoes, socks, and bathing suits are accounted for collectively.
Discover Family-Friendly Activities
To maximize the value of a multi-generational holiday, it’s key that family members bond and create collective memories. This is an excellent opportunity to share family traditions, whether through crafts like knitting or model-making, fostering an inclusive environment. While screen time can be contentious, taking turns to enjoy downtime with movies for kids and conversations for adults is important to ensure quality time is spent together.
Offline games can be as simple as playing Monopoly in a different language or bringing along card games like Uno or Happy Families, promoting engagement with each other. On the other hand, leveraging technology isn’t off the table; installing family-friendly games on tablets can guarantee enjoyment with easy setup and no cleanup.
Explore classic film lists on streaming platforms with your family, introducing kids to iconic movies while enjoying cozy moments with grandparents. Bringing along devices like Chromecast or Apple TV facilitates viewing on standard TVs, and it’s wise to remember adapters for power sources. Having extra headphones can enhance the experience for both kids and adults alike, accommodating diverse viewing arrangements.
Creating a ‘family favourites’ music playlist for road trips ensures everyone, including older family members, can reminisce and enjoy sing-alongs. Lastly, capturing precious moments by taking pictures during your travels can culminate in cherished keepsakes, such as a canvas print of an unforgettable family image.
The memories created during a multigenerational trip can be incredibly special; thus, it’s essential to make the most of every moment.
This article was first published November 2019, last updated February 2020.
This article was first published Nov 1, 2019 and updated Feb 5, 2020.
