How to Plan a Family Vacation {6 Easy Steps}

If this resonates with you, you’re in the right place! I’m all about making family travel simpler, more fun and totally do-able. 

We’ve been traveling with our four kids for 12 years, and along the way, we’ve nailed down some tried-and-true systems that make planning family vacations a whole lot easier.

So grab your notepad and let’s discover step-by-step how to plan an unforgettable family vacation.

1. Choose Your Destination

Choosing your destination is all about finding the right fit. Every family is different, and what may be a perfect destination for one family may be less than ideal for another.

There are many things to consider when choosing your destination.

What to Consider

• Weather: Do you prefer a chilly, cozy vibe or sunshine and warmth?
• Travel distance and duration: Think about the ages and capacity of your kids. Some kids travel like champs, while others can’t stand to spend more than a couple hours in a carseat.
• Relaxing vs. adventure: Do you want to kick up your feet and come back refreshed or would you rather squeeze in as much adventure and activity as possible?
• Time off: How much time do you have off work and school for your getaway? Having 3 days off vs. two weeks off will greatly affect how far you can travel.
• Kid-friendly activities: Are there enough activities the whole family will love?
• Budget: Be realistic about what your budget can afford. If you look hard enough you can find an exciting family getaway in every price range.
• Accessibility: Is the destination easy to navigate with kids?

Kids typically thrive with being able to explore outdoors. A couple of our kids’ favorite getaways include adventuring in the mountains of Colorado Springs, playing on the beaches of 30a in Florida, and exploring historic monuments in Washington DC.

👉 Tip: Create a travel “bucket list”! Simply jot down location ideas any time you hear of one that piques your interest. This will be the perfect starting point any time you begin to plan a new trip.

2. Set a Budget

Don’t skip this step! Setting a budget and saving ahead of time can put your mind at ease knowing that your getaway is fully funded.

Your main expenses will include transportation, accommodations, food and activities. Use our travel budget template to create your own vacation budget and start saving.

Ways to Save Money on Travel

Want your budget to go further? Here are some of our favorite ways to save money on travel.

• Drive instead of fly.
• Travel during the shoulder seasons or off-season.
• Buy groceries and cook meals instead of eating out.
• Forgo costly attractions and seek out free things to do in the area.
• Book your vacation rental for weekdays.
• If you need to rent a car, shop around on Turo.
• Use travel rewards and points.

3. Choose Your Travel Dates

Now that you have chosen your destination and know what budget you have to work with, it’s time to pick your travel dates.

The more flexible you can be with dates, the more you can save money and avoid large crowds.

Compare flight times, accommodation availability and prices to find the best fit.

I highly recommend traveling during the shoulder seasons. This is the time directly before and after peak season, when the most people are traveling to the specific location. The shoulder seasons and peak season will be different depending upon the location.

Note: If your travel dates are not flexible due to school or work, you will need to consider the dates before choosing the destination. For instance, if you know you can only travel during spring break and your family wants warm weather, you’re not going to book a trip to Chicago where it is chilly in the spring.

4. Book Your Transportation, Accommodations and Activities

The next step for planning a family trip is booking your transportation, accommodations and activities. This includes flights, rental cars, hotels, tours and event tickets. Depending on your destination, you may even want to make reservations for any must-visit restaurants, as they can fill up quickly.

Some of my favorite sites for booking a trip include:

• Expedia: A great tool to compare prices and book airfare and hotels.
• Viator: From walking tours to sailing the coast to cooking classes, Viator offers highly-rated tours and experiences. We love taking walking or biking tours the first day in a new location!
• VRBO: An easy-to-use platform for booking vacation rentals.
• Booking.com: Great for booking hotels, cabins and other accommodations in all price ranges.

5. Create an Itinerary

When it comes to creating a family vacation itinerary, keep it simple! First, check the weather so you can plan accordingly. If this location is new to you, search for personal recommendations on things to do using Pinterest, Google, or Facebook.

Next, start your itinerary with any scheduled tours or activities and must-see places. I always recommend scheduling your top priorities for the beginning of your trip, so that if weather or sickness interfere, you have the remainder of the trip to reschedule. 

At the same time, don’t feel the need to pack every moment with planned activities. Some of the best travel memories come from those unexpected moments–a spontaneous ice cream stop or a hidden park you happen to wander upon.

And let’s be honest–traveling with kids requires a good dose of flexibility and willingness to adjust on the fly. The goal is to enjoy time together, not rush from place to place, so build in downtime to let those special, unplanned moments unfold naturally.

Tip: Don’t forget to include your children in the trip planning process! Listen to their ideas of what they would like to see and do and let them assist you in planning the itinerary. This builds the life skills of choosing priorities and time management. It also lets them know you appreciate and value their opinions.

6. Make a Packing List

Now that your trip is booked and your itinerary is set, it’s time to make a packing list! I like to do this 3-4 weeks ahead of the trip, to allow plenty of time to remember everything I need and purchase anything I don’t yet have.

When creating your packing list, keep in mind the weather and what activities you will be doing. Don’t forget important documents like IDs and insurance, as well as any medications you may need.

Once you have a comprehensive packing list, it can serve as your starting point for your next trip.

More Tips for Planning Your Vacation

• Do your laundry on the last day of your vacation if you have access to a washer and dryer. You will thank yourself once you are home and have all clean clothes!
• Place a grocery order on your way back home to pick up as soon as you reach town. Don’t forget to keep your vacation meals simple!
• If you are able, either leave your home clean when leaving for a trip, or have cleaners come while you are away. Coming back to a clean home is so refreshing!
• Plan your dates to arrive home on a Saturday, or take one more day off after you return. This extra buffer day is perfect for unpacking and unwinding from the trip before jumping back into your day-to-day life.
• Remember to make plans in advance for any house sitting or pet boarding you may need.

How Far in Advance Should You Plan a Family Vacation?

A good rule of thumb is to plan a family trip 6-12 months in advance. This allows for plenty of time to take off work and school, save money, and create your itinerary.

However, if you’re feeling like taking a spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment trip, go for it! Last-minute getaways can be the best kind. You may just have to be a little more flexible along the way.

Final Thoughts

There you have it! I hope you feel empowered and prepared now that you know how to plan a family vacation. It’s really all about finding your rhythm and what works best for your family. The more you travel, the more natural planning a trip will become.

What’s next? Check out my best family travel photography tips and my complete guide to meal planning for vacation!

As always, I would love for you to reach out here or on Instagram and share your travels with us! It warms our hearts to hear all about the memories you are making with your kids.

Until next time!