Vacationing as a Family for the First Time

Unlike your child's first tooth or her first day of school, planning your family's first vacation is an event that is entirely up to you. But no cause for worry: It can be incredibly rewarding to create a trip that your family will remember for a lifetime. If you keep it low-key with plenty of time for family self-discovery, you'll undoubtedly set yourself up for many more great family vacations down the line.

The first step in planning your family’s first vacation is to make a list of all your family’s must-haves, says Suzette Mack, a family travel specialist who runs the website Family Treks. What will make or break your trip? One important detail people don’t consider is the bed situation, for example. After you have your list, start researching a location or kind of trip that meets all your needs.

You can plan a family vacation for kids at any age, says Mack. Just be sure that it’s the best fit for your children. A trip that requires hauling a stroller and car seat onto an airplane, for example, could be more hassle than it’s worth. Consider all options that will make it easier for everyone, such as renting baby supplies and toys from a travel supplier at your destination or shipping bulky items ahead of time.

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Mack recommends keeping the trip to no more than a week so that parents get a sense of how their kids travel. While some children may love the excitement of a new city, others have trouble adjusting to hotels and changes to their schedules. Budgeting in a buffer day when you get home might also be necessary. “Young kids are pretty resilient; teens and adults need time to get ready for school, work, do laundry,” she says.

Staying in one place rather than travel hopping to many different spots will minimize any extra crankiness. Very long plane or car rides could add to tension and anxiety. “With each trip you learn how to best keep your child occupied when waiting on planes or in airports,” Mack says.

Ask broad questions if you want your children's advice on where to go or what to do. Would they rather go on a cruise or stay in a hotel? Do they want to go to a theme park, dude ranch or the beach? Be willing to go along with their decision, Mack says. Once all the details have been nailed down, share the itinerary with your kids, and let the excitement begin by checking out some photos and websites of where you're going.

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A family-friendly beach resort in the United States, like Hawaii or Florida, is a great first trip, Mack says. You get to lay out and enjoy the weather and ocean as opposed to navigating a busy metropolitan area. Spending a week in a major city like New York or Paris can turn south quickly, because families often flood their itinerary trying to see and do everything. Relax and enjoy your trip as a family so you don't come back home needing a vacation from your vacation.

Short camping trips are another great option if the parents are experienced campers, Mack says. Many parks also offer tent cabins that are a little more comfortable than doing it on your own. Those nights around the campfire will be remembered forever and are a quintessential family bonding experience.

Mack recommends amusement park vacations that handle all the logistics so it’s easier on parents. There are a lot of other families at the park, too, so everyone gets to socialize. Just make sure everyone is on board with carousels and roller coasters. If one person is going to sit everything out, it may not be fun, cautions Mack.

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Renting a private villa or apartment is a great option for families with very young children, Mack says. A dude ranch is a perfect vacation spot for families who like the outdoors. They offer lots of activities every day, home-cooked meals and the chance to meet other families, she says.

Volunteering on a family vacation is becoming popular, Mack says. However, it’s best that a family doesn’t attempt to plan its own volunteer trip. Instead, carefully research organizations and established programs that have experience in handing safety and logistic issues before deciding on one that's a good fit for your family, she says.

If you are planning an international vacation, get started on securing passports for the kids well in advance. The child and both parents must be present to apply, and many passport agencies close early in the day. Parents should also prepare their kids for cultural differences they’ll come across—and use it as a teaching opportunity. In some countries, dinner may be served later than they are used to. Give them a pocket phrasebook to practice with and bribe them with a dessert of their choice if they can order their meal in the local language.

A schedule while on vacation is important to avoid stress, but overdoing the events could also ruin the trip. Make sure you have booked your hotel, theme park or show tickets in advance, but plan just one activity every other day, so everyone can enjoy their time, Mack says. If you're low key, you’ll be happy with whatever you experience on your first family vacation.