Family Vacation Planning Hints
Here is a list of vacation planning hints I have picked up over the years which have come in handy for our own family vacations. I hope you will find them helpful too. - Sit down with your family and thoroughly plan your whole vacation. Allow your children to be involved in the preparations.
- Now it's time to make a list of jobs which must be done before going on vacation and tick them off as you do them.
For example... To do at home before leaving - Mow lawns
- Redirect mail
- Pay bills (including those which will come due while we're away)
- Spring clean the house
- Take the plants to the neighbours to mind
- Organise with the neighbour to mind the animals (or find appropriate accommodation)
- Arrange for a house-sitter
- Cook and freeze casseroles
- Turn off automatic light sensors (really annoy neighbours when they go haywire)
- Clean out fridge and freezer (use up all food)
- Turn off answering machine
- Turn off all appliances
- Make a list of things to do when you get back home and place it on your counter where you will see it.
In preparing for your journey - Compile a list of addresses for postcards, etc.
- Buy stamps
- Buy travel diaries for the children to fill in
- Have the car serviced
- Plan your itinerary in advance
- What is your destination for each day?
- Where will your accommodation be?
- How much will accommodation cost?
- What things will there be to do at the destination?
- Make sure you have all necessary bookings for accommodation made in advance
Handy tips for packing - Write out a checklist of clothes items for each child
- Have the children pack their own bags using your checklist
- Use one backpack per person for clothes
- Use drawstring bags in their backpacks for underwear and socks
- Keep an urgent bag with spare jackets and raincoats
- Use clear plastic crates for packing other items. Label each box with the items that are in it.
- If you can fit a set of plastic drawers in your car (as large as you can fit) label and use them for lunch spreads, picnic stuff, first aid , etc.
Other planning hints - Make sleeping bag liners out of sheets (buy cheaply from an opportunity shop)
- Keep sleeping bags in a black garbage bag which doubles as a protector
- Keep cutlery in a large pencil case
- Give each child a small cooler bag to hold a waer bottle and enough snacks for the journey. Keep it filled for each day you travel.
As a family, find out about the places you will be visiting. Write to tourist information centres or check out the internet and learn some interesting historical facts prior to your vacation. You may find something so interesting you will want to investigate it further during your vacation. Well friend, I hope my family vacation planning hints will make planning your vacation easier and fun. Enjoy your family vacation! Return to top
Link from Family Vacation Planning Hints to our Home Page
|
