Jenny Q’s Five Tips For Fun and Memorable Family Travel

I consider myself an entrepreneur, working mom, and professional traveler. If I am not working hard at my business Saint Louis Closet Co., then I am probably planning a trip or globetrotting. Traveling has become a wonderful way for my family and I to create memories while seeing new sights and doing new things. We tend to book several family trips during the year, with the four of us, and it serves as some much needed bonding time.

Since I am a self-proclaimed pro when it comes to jet-setting, I am sharing Jenny Q’s Five Tips for Fun and Memorable Family Travel:

Family First

When planning family travel, it is good to consult each family member to see where the next destination should be. Kids like to be included in the planning, and they will have a better time if they feel like they are part of the decision making.

I always consult my brood to see where we should go to next, and then we put our votes in. I like to utilize a more democratic approach, and it works for us.

Wish List

Once you all have decided where you want to go and begin making the travel arrangements, create a Wish List of places, landmarks, restaurants, activities, and other points of interest that you all want to visit. Make sure to include at least two of these items per person during the trip if you can. This keeps everyone happy and engaged in the trip.

Get recommendations

Try to tap in to a local to get their recommendations on the best places to eat that are family friendly. When traveling, we always like to eat like a local. Where do the people that live here like to eat? What are their highest rated restaurants? Those are the places that we like to patronize, and we enjoy “traveling like a local”.

Digital Display

For those of you traveling with teens, the digital lifestyle will come into play when traveling. Make sure to have rules in play and encourage Digital Detoxes when necessary so you can have those unplugged moments. Let them have their Instagram moments, too. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.

Downtime

Trekking to new places can create a memorable family travel experience, but it can also be exhausting for you all. Build in downtime in your travel schedule to rest and get your bearings. Make sure that you also factor in time changes and jet-lag, and allow yourselves to recuperate properly.

I love traveling with my husband and kids, and it is such a huge part of how we connect as a family. I hope my tips for making memorable family travel moments help you plan your next vacation as a tribe.

What are your family travel tips? Please share in the comments.