Planning Your First Family Holiday

So you’re ready to embark on your first family holiday! It’s a big deal, isn’t it?

Nothing quite matches the magic of creating unforgettable memories with the people you love the most. Family trips are priceless – a special time to bond, laugh, explore new worlds, and max out your iCloud photo storage.

But let’s be honest, travel planning with little ones in tow can be super stressful and daunting. And we bet you’re feeling all the emotions: happiness, excitement, relief, anxiety, and, and, and…

There are so many things to think about, from accommodation and public transport to budgets, meals, daily excursions, and even where to warm up your toddler’s bottle.

The good news? With a little planning and a whole lot of enthusiasm, you can easily accomplish this important milestone – we promise!

Whether you’re excited to explore local destinations or venture abroad, this article will help ease your nerves so you can focus on the important things – living your best life as a family!

Planning The Trip

As much as we love the spontaneity of jumping on a train, plane or in the car, family holidays require careful planning. It’s the only way to make sure you’ve covered all your bases. 

Here are a few tips and tricks:

Choose a destination

Picking the perfect spot for your family’s first adventure is exciting and overwhelming. While you and your partner may want to sip cocktails on a beach, your kids’ idea of fun might involve Disney princess parades. The key to this dilemma is considering what everyone wants and what’s age-appropriate – Disney cruise, anyone?

Jokes aside, here are a few things worth thinking about:

• How long is the travel journey? Older kids tend to cope better with longer trips than toddlers.
• Are you looking for family-friendly hotels/resorts or more economical abodes?
• What activities do you want to do as a family? Beach vibes, cultural excursions, forest hikes, snowball fights, or theme parks?
• What time of year are you planning your trip? Will it be during the summer school holidays or chilly December? This allows you to plan your daily activities according to the weather.
• Do you want to be near local attractions like beaches, museums, and eateries?
• Will you use your own car, public transport, or a hired vehicle? Are these modes of transport stroller or wheelchair friendly?
• Do you need any travel vaccines? It’s also worth looking into medical facilities for your final destination in case of emergencies.

Budgeting and logistics

Holiday expenses can quickly add up. Having a budget is the most important part of any family getaway. It gives you a better idea of how much you can spend and ensures you can still pay the gas bill when you get home. 

Here’s how to budget like a boss:

• Create a budget: Factor in all costs – travel, accommodation, food, activities, entrance fees, and souvenirs. Allocate a budget for each category, such as X for accommodation, Y for food, and Z for shopping. 
• Prioritise your spending: What activities does your family want to do? If Disneyland is on the cards, you might opt for cheaper accommodation or public transport to balance the cost of admission fees. 
• Book in advance: Flights, hotels, and attractions usually offer discounts when booked in advance or online. It’s worth comparing prices from a number of websites – Trivago, Tripadvisor, Rome2Rio, SkyScanner, Icelolly – to find the best deal. 
• Do your research: It’s worth exploring online resources and guides to find cheaper rates for various elements of your trip. Did you know you could save up to £10 per ticket when booking in advance via the Heathrow Express app or get mega savings with Attractiontix across Europe? It’s worth looking into!

Expert travel tip: Set aside a contingency fund in case of emergencies.

Here are a few logistical tips: 

• Location: You must decide where you want to go on holiday. Do Hawaiian islands call your name, or is the south of France more your vibe? Maybe a road trip from Inverness to Glasgow sounds tempting? Knowing where you’re going will help with your travel planning.
• Amenities: Are you looking for an all-inclusive resort with daily activities like beach volleyball, bingo evenings, and toddler care? Do you want self-catering units or restaurants onsite? Perhaps a hotel swimming pool is all you need.
• Accommodation: Choose accommodation that suits your family’s needs and budget. Beachfront hotels or villas might be best when island-hopping in Hawaii, while a comfortable B&B in the Scottish Highlands might be more suited to this type of trip.
• Know your surroundings: Check online to see how far attractions are from your accommodation. Download smartphone apps like Citymapper or Moovit to plot and plan your journey.  

Right, so we’ve covered the nitty gritty details. Now it’s time for the fun part: preparing and packing!

Preparing For The Trip

Preparing for a family vacay might feel like you’re planning for the apocalypse. But don’t panic! We’ve got all the tips you need, so you’ll be a packing master in no time!

Packing essentials

• Don’t leave packing to the last minute. It’s never fun leaving something behind because you were in a rush.
• Get the kids involved: Let your youngsters choose their fave outfits, toys, or accessories. This makes them feel included in the packing process and ramps up the excitement.
• Make a list of all the things you and your family need. This includes toiletries, clothes, shoes, your kid’s favourite blankie, games/toys, and any medication.
• Pack light. Find out if your accommodation offers laundry services so you can wash as you go to prevent bulging suitcases. Pack versatile clothing to save on space, like beach sarongs that can double up as a scarf for cooler evenings or thermal undergarments to minimise layers of clothing.

Here are a few packing essentials:

Adults:

• Passports/travel documents, driver’s licence
• Itineraries, tickets, accommodation confirmation
• Bank cards, traveller’s cheques, foreign currency
• Clothing and suitable footwear
• Backpack 
• Electronic devices (e.g. phones, tablets, headphones) and chargers
• Plug adaptors
• Handheld cameras/video cameras 
• Sunglasses, hats, sunscreen, bug repellent

Kids:

• Travel documents, passports
• Clothing and suitable footwear
• Sunscreen, hats
• Backpack, wallet, and spending money
• Electronic devices and chargers
• Snacks
• Toys and/or games
• Diapers, baby formula, bottles, pacifiers, etc.

Travel tips

Travelling with kids may seem like herding cats – but it can be a blast too! To make the journey smoother, get your little – or big – explorers excited about the adventure. Tell them about cool places you’ll visit and fun stuff you’ll do. Keep it simple – youngsters love knowing what to expect.

Pack their favourite snacks, games and maybe even their cuddly buddy. And if you’re flying, load up their tablet with their favourite shows. Trust us; it’s a lifesaver when those little ears start popping!

During The Trip

The key to a successful family holiday is catering to everyone’s needs. Even if you’ve got a brood of different ages, you can pull it off with some strategic prep and planning. 

Here are a few ideas:

Plan ahead

Nap times, feedings, and teenage hunger pangs? No sweat!

Plan your day around the kiddos. No one wants a grumpy toddler or tween on a guided tour. Find restaurants that cater to families, or order room service for fussy eaters. A little planning goes a long way in keeping everyone happy and fed! 

Activities for all ages

Get everybody involved in planning. Let each child create a “wishlist” of everything they’d like to do on holiday. While you can’t promise everything, you can plan and prioritise your itinerary around some of their ideas. 

Your eldest wants to try scuba diving, while the youngest wants to catch a few waves. Perfect! Beach day it is. 

Mix up your days. Some days you’re constantly on the go with exploring and adventuring, while others are for chilling by the pool with ice cream. It’s all about balance.

Handling challenges

Remember, things won’t always go according to plan – and that’s okay. It’s all part of the adventure! Keep calm and carry on – kids are pretty good at going with the flow.

Museums, play centres and even indoor go-karting are great things to do when bad weather puts a damper on your planned beach day. 

It’s all about being flexible and positive – you never know what magical things you might find when going off the beaten track…

The Conversation Continues

As you can see, family holidays are about creating memories that last a lifetime. By following the tips in this guide, you can plan a successful family trip, whether to London or Lisbon! 

Be sure to share your travel experiences, tips and strategies in the comments section below. We’d love to hear what you and your family have been getting up to!

We’d love to hear what you think…