When you want to take your kids on vacation, you’ve got to do some special planning to make it fun for them. They want to get out of the house as much as you do, but their needs and interests are a little different.By following the five family travel tips included in this blog post you will be able to have an Unforgettable Vacation With Your Kids.
Once you’ve covered the basics, like how to speak the language and travel comfortably by bus, here are some ways a vacation unforgettable:
How to Have an Unforgettable Vacation With Your Kids
1. Find a humorous tour guide
Sometimes, younger kids aren’t interested in other cultures or their history because it sounds like another boring history lesson. They’ll change their mind with the right tour guide.
Tour guides are a dime a dozen, but the ones who stand out are those who have a sense or humor and can capture people’s interest with their enthusiasm. A great tour guide isn’t necessarily the most knowledgeable, but they are the most entertaining. They may not know every detail but they know the details that matter to tourists, and they deliver the information well.
The best tour guides don’t ignore kids – they’ll look right at them and speak to them directly, making them feel like they’re part of the group.
2. Indulge in once in a lifetime opportunities
When considering travel with kids, naturally you’ll want to save as much money as possible. However, just for a moment, consider that money is meant for more than bills and living necessities. There are times when you should be frugal, and there are times when the experience is worth increasing your budget.
Your kids will cherish the memories of your vacation even more when you splurge for a little luxury. For example, once in a lifetime experiences like flying on a private jet or staying in a fancy hotel just for one night can make any trip unforgettable. Let your kids experience room service (within reason), and the luxurious bath towels and stunning views from a luxury hotel.
3. Play a game of trivia with your kids for real rewards
Depending on how old your kids are, you can play a game of trivia with them throughout your trip. For instance, you can collect various facts about the 12 countries in South America and turn them into questions. Write the questions on note cards and give your kids time to study before the trip. When you arrive, give them a set of questions to answer. Don’t let them look at their notes, but allow them to ask the locals for help.
For each question they get right, even with help from the locals, designate a prize like $10 cash, an extra dessert after their next dinner, or the privilege of choosing the next place to visit.
A trivia game is a good way to get them to learn and have fun at the same time.
4. Consider a cruise to the Galapagos Islands
Although many don’t consider the Galapagos Islands to be kid-friendly, that’s not exactly true. Most people choose to visit them by way of a cruise, and most cruise ships offer kid-friendly amenities and special excursions designed specifically for kids.
There is extensive wildlife on the Islands, and a visible ecosystem that kids can observe close up. The history of the Islands is rich, and although they’re most well known for giant tortoises, the islands are home to beautiful animals like iguanas, cormorants, finches, penguins, and blue-footed boobies.
5. Give kids their own digital cameras
These days, most kids have their own smartphone they can use as a camera. However, it’s a good idea to teach your kids how to use a regular digital camera for several reasons:
They’re cheap to replace
Digital cameras can be purchased for as little as $50. If your kid accidentally breaks their phone or drops it in the water, you’re looking at hundreds of dollars to replace it.
It gets them away from their smartphone and keeps them present
Kids are perpetually transfixed by their devices responding to dings and flashes indicating incoming messages. Teaching them to use a digital camera that isn’t connected to Facebook will get them off their device for a while, and keep them focused on their surroundings.
They won’t be tempted to jump right into posting their photos on Facebook and then waiting for responses the rest of the day. They may resist the idea at first, but once they get interested in capturing photos in the moment, they won’t miss their phone.