Best Vacay Ever!

The weather is warm, the kids are out of school and everyone is ready for that fabulous family vacation! The question is, are you really ready for it? Really? The one thing you don’t want to be when traveling with your family is frustrated and frazzled because you didn’t plan out your trip carefully ahead of time. A stress-free, fun vacation begins well before the trip, so here are some great tips to get you rolling the right way.

• Get organized. A notebook, folder or planner of some sort is the perfect start to getting your travel plans underway. This is where you can keep all of your travel information in one place. You can include things such as phone numbers for airlines, car rental agencies, passports, itineraries and so on. And let’s not forget the lists! Lists are super important when planning all details of your trip. A personal packing list for each family member is a must, as is a checklist of things to do before you leave. If you will be having house- or pet-sitters, you will want an instructional list for them, too.
• Be smart with your budget. Be honest with yourself and crunch the numbers. Figure out what you can spend on lodging, transportation, meals and entertainment. Keep making adjustments until you have a plan that fits your budget. You might even add a little to your total just in case.
• Read, listen and watch. Purchase or borrow a few travel and tour books and immerse yourself (and your children) in the culture of where you plan to travel. Check out some maps and places you may want to visit while there. Listen to some travel podcasts to get some tips and insight into local culture. And to get a feel for a place, check out some movies set in the location you are interested in visiting. You can also jump online and check out Google Earth to zoom in on the location.
• Be app ready. Check with your mobile carrier and check with their international plans if you’re going to travel overseas. Also, download various mobile apps for your phone that will work even when not connected to Wi-Fi or the cell network. Language dictionaries and translators, subway maps and city guides are examples. For kids, check out apps for their tablet or iPad, if they have one, to help them learn about the places you plan to visit, too. Look into Stack the States, Stack the Countries, License Plate Finders or Road Trip Bingo.
• Pack smartly. No one wants to lug around heavy luggage, so pack lightly to keep moods happy. Plan to do laundry while traveling and pack only three to four outfits per person that can be mixed and matched. Avoid packing bulky clothes to save space. Also, purchase what you need when you arrive at your destination, such as shampoo, diapers, wipes, hygiene products and snack foods. This will save you from having to haul it all back with you, because you’re buying only what you need. Make a shopping list ahead of time so your trip to the store is quick.
• Keep the kids happy. Pack a variety of healthy snacks to bring along. Also, pay a visit to the dollar store for small games and toys to entertain the kids while traveling.
• Plan your days lightly. Although you may have a long list of things to do and places to see on your trip, remember that with children, you may have to visit attractions at a slower pace than if you were on your own. Keep your schedule light and only plan one or two things to do per day. This will be easier on the kids … and your patience! Remember that no matter how much you want to finish a particular activity, your little ones may not be able to handle more stimulation. Or, they may simply need to refuel. Follow the lead of your children. If they seem hungry, tired or done with an activity, call it quits and take care of what they need. Everyone will be much happier if you do.
• Create a souvenir budget. Use an envelope for each child and put his name on it, along with a small amount of cash he is allowed to spend on souvenirs. Make sure kids know that once they spend all of their money, that’s it. No more money will be deposited into their envelopes.
• Avoid souvenir clutter. Instead of buying various souvenir knickknacks, consider clutter-free options, such as postcards, small ornaments or a personal travel journal that you can write in throughout your trip.

Kansas City mom and author Gina Klein admits that while she’s great at planning and making lists for trips, she isn’t nearly as good at packing lightly.