While most families attempt to find affordable modes of travel including cheap airplane tickets or cheap vacation packages, there are additional steps they can take to help make such trips fun for the entire family.
The following are some suggestions:
Remember the old adage less is more. Pack a single pair of shoes per child, earth tone colored clothes that tend to hide stains, and tie dye shirts that make it easy to find kids in a crowd. Traveling with backpacks is easier for parents who want free up their hands to control their kids.
Make flexible plans. For each day of travel stay in a single location for a minimum of two days. Slow your pace and lower expectations. Small towns tend to be safer and more interesting for kids. Set realistic expectations and plan a single activity in the morning and one in the afternoon. Kids tend to have fun when they are seeing and doing new things.
Be willing to spend more when traveling vs. traveling late at night to save a little money.
High end hotels are not ideal for children.
If changing time zones, try to stay at hotels with pools since it is difficult for kids to sleep when it is their day time at home.
While on the road, stick to regular meal times and bed times.
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