👨👩👧👦 Traveling with a large family: 10 life hacks for a perfect vacation 🏖️
In everyday life, a large family is no different from any other: a routine has also been built and movements around clubs, kindergartens, schools and work have been established.
However, it's not that simple when it comes to planning a family vacation together, especially if there is a diversity of ages in the family. And although this may not seem like an easy task, it is definitely worth it. We have collected tips that will make your preparation easier.
Start planning ahead
When you travel with a large family, it is difficult to be spontaneous. First you need to decide who will go and what their idea of an ideal trip is. You can write down all your wishes in a table and note any coincidences.
Then you need to decide on the season, which in turn affects the choice of destination. Or vice versa, the chosen location determines what time of year the trip will take place. When all the data is collected together, it becomes clear how much time there is for planning. It is better to have it in reserve.
Involve all trip participants in planning, distributing responsibilities between them. Even if they are children, they can put flags on the map with possible stops or suggest places they would like to visit. Don't write kids off – they know how to have fun. In addition, joint planning gives the feeling that the responsibility is not on one person, but on everyone. Children, feeling their involvement, become more collected and accommodating.
It is worth booking accommodation in advance and reserving tables in some restaurants, because finding a table for 5+ people on site will be problematic. It is worth buying tickets to museums, attractions and other entertainment in advance.
Lifehack: For someone who takes the most active part in planning, you can promise some tangible reward, for example, the most comfortable bed in the room or the choice of an event to suit his taste. And if you don’t want to plan your trip yourself, contact a travel agency.
Calculate your budget
A family vacation is not a cheap pleasure. Therefore, it is also better to decide on a budget at the initial stages of planning a trip. And be sure to create a cash cushion in case of force majeure.
If your budget is limited, then it is better to find out prices in restaurants and the cost of visiting attractions in advance. And at the same time check the availability of discounts.
Attend not only paid events, but also free ones. The family will enjoy walks through national parks and picturesque city streets just as much as attractions and museums.
Plan your route
If you decide to travel around a large area with stops, then be sure to draw up a route. First, decide on your main destinations and activities. Choose accommodation based not only on the number of places, but also on the availability of entertainment nearby. And it’s even better if there are several entertainments and you can share your interests.
Don't forget about flexibility, although this is not so easy with a large family. After all, it’s one thing to plan in advance and think through everything based on reviews. And another thing is advice from locals who can suggest interesting and little-known activities. So leave some time between moves to explore unplanned places.
Where to eat?
To take a break from the routine, daily cooking and cleaning, many try to eat in cafes and restaurants during their vacation. And this may turn out to be the most expensive item in the budget. Therefore, take plenty of snacks and delicacies on the road that can quickly satisfy your hunger. Also consider replacing dinner together with lunch. The lunch menu is often much better priced. But for dinner, leave a light snack that you can quickly prepare yourself – it turns out even healthier. In addition, at lunchtime it is much easier for a large group to find a table.
Where to go?
If there is no clear understanding, then this part will be the most difficult. After all, the destination should suit the interests and ages of all family members.
A holiday by the sea suits almost everyone. However, at the height of the season it can be too crowded, and the prices are steep. In addition, a hot climate may not be comfortable for older people or families with infants who need to monitor the baby’s sleep schedule, accessibility with a stroller, and the availability of places where they can hide in the shade.
Mountains and hiking routes are suitable for active families where there are no problems with mobility. In addition, you can go hiking at almost any time of the year. But various retreats, on the contrary, are suitable for those who want to reduce activity and relax, which is unlikely to suit older children and teenagers.
Where to stay?
Rent a hotel room
This option is understandable, but not always convenient for a large family with at least two adults and three or more children. Not only may one number not be enough for everyone, but it can also cost a pretty penny. If you decide to sneak your children into your room on the sly, be aware of the pitfalls. And you will have to sleep in jacks, and you have the right to ask from the hotel at any time. We talk about other rules that should not be broken here.
Rent an apartment
This could be an apartment or even a whole house, which will become a family nest during the holidays. The downside: you have to cook and clean up yourself. But there are also advantages. For example, everyone will have their own sleeping place and you can save a lot of money on cooking yourself.
Lifehack: choose housing so that everyone can find something to do in it or nearby. After all, children should mind their own business, and adults should be able to relax without remorse.
Stay at campsites
Owning your own or rented motor home solves the problem not only of movement, but also of overnight accommodation. If the family is very large, then there may not be enough sleeping places, which, however, is easily solved with sleeping bags. It's best to map out campsites in advance, look at ratings, and make reservations if possible.
The second option is to set up your own tent city if your dream trip includes a little wild life in nature. Yes, there will be no amenities here and sometimes you can’t predict the weather. But you can take as many tents as needed. And breathe in some fresh air and swim to your heart's content. Of course, conditions for camping tourists differ in different countries. For example, in America you cannot collect branches from the forest for a fire – you must use only imported ones. And in some countries, unexpected guests, such as snakes or scorpions, may visit your tent. Bloodsucking has not been canceled either. If such nuances are not scary and all family members agreed to this, then the vacation promises to be unforgettable.
What about transport?
We've already discussed traveling in a motor home, but what other options are there? Of course, if the destination is quite far away, then the easiest option, and sometimes the only one, is to fly by plane. But if the family consists of 7-8 people, then it will be quite expensive.
A great option for getting around is a minivan or microbus. When choosing transport, do not forget to calculate the space for luggage, which tends to grow during travel.
Lifekah: if you travel by personal or rented transport, put the things you plan to use most often on the road into small personalized boxes. Each family member has his own box, so that if something happens, he can easily find and get his favorite toy, warm socks, a replacement T-shirt, or something else.
Whatever transport you use, get enough entertainment. Be sure to agree with your children about the time they can spend on gadgets on the road. You can even create a schedule if there are not enough phones and tablets for everyone. Most likely, there will be more screen time than in everyday life, but it will ensure silence in the cabin.
Lifehack: If you start the trip early in the morning, while the children are not yet fully awake, then they can sleep a little in the car, which will give several hours of silence without fights and swearing.
In some locations it is easier to travel by train. For example, in Tokyo, which we wrote about here. Familiarize yourself with the cost, conditions for children in strollers and luggage in advance – this will save you from incidents in an unfamiliar place.
Safety
- Try not to get lost and look out for each other while moving. You can purchase special gadgets or install applications that will help you track the location of other family members. For example, GPS trainer.
- Make sure your phones are always charged so you can contact each other or call for help.
- Get extended insurance and take basic medications for the trip.
- For a large family, safe locations and routes are still preferred, which are suitable not only for adults, but also for children or the elderly.
- Check out the medical aid stations along your route in advance.
- When you share interests, set a clear place and time for meeting.
The most important advice is to enjoy every minute of the trip, every situation that you managed to live through or solve together. After all, these are truly priceless moments that will replenish the family’s treasure trove of memories.