3 Practical Tips for Experiencing Smooth Family Travels

Memories are a gift that will last a lifetime; there is nothing that creates a memory quite like travel. A family trip leaves a lasting impact and may be just what your family needs to bond and have fun.

In order to make travel with your kids more fun and less stressful, Hello Rascal Kids shares some tips below to put your mind at ease and make sure things go smoothly (or as smoothly as they can go with children):

Prepare Your Home

We’ve all done it. We leave the house and we wonder, did we turn off the oven? Did we even use the oven? Did we lock the front door? Is anything plugged in?

In order to help put your worries to rest before they even begin, there are some things you can do to reduce your stress and ensure that your home is protected while you are away. You can install automated locks, motion sensors, and/or a doorbell camera that notifies you when there is movement at your door. You can also use smart outlets for programmable lights that you can monitor and control remotely.

You can even trick burglars by making it look like someone is home when you’re on vacation. For instance, consider getting a fake TV (yes, this is a real thing) and/or using timers on your lights. Moreover, you might consider asking your neighbor to park their car in your driveway and check in on your property each day.

Stay in a Vacation Rental

Sure, hotel rooms are clean, and they come with nice amenities. But they’re also small, especially when you have a family. Instead of stuffing your whole family into a single hotel room (or having to book multiple rooms), opt for renting a vacation house. Not only will you have a lot more space and privacy by staying in a vacation rental, they’re often much less expensive than a hotel. You’ll also have a full-sized kitchen, which means you can save money and eat healthier by cooking your own meals. Some rental management companies also offer their tenants hotel-quality cleaning services and 24/7 support.

Discuss with your family members about what kind of activities you are interested in, and book a vacation rental near those activities. The convenience of having a vacation home near the activities you’re most interested in will be a game changer when you’re visiting sites with the whole family in tow. 

Bring Snacks and Medications

As a parent, you certainly know the importance of snacks. They can be the difference between your kids being happy about life or having a full-on meltdown. It’s not any different when traveling. In addition, the change of routine and environment can make some children uneasy. Here’s the point: bring plenty of snacks. And make sure they are healthy snacks without too much sugar. You want your kids to be satisfied, not bouncing off the walls.

Also, remember to bring a first-aid kit and any prescription medications that your children take. Research the hospitals on your route and near your destination so that you can have the fastest access possible to an ER or urgent care if the need arises.

Planning a memorable vacation with your family doesn’t have to be overly stressful or expensive. Make sure your home is protected while you’re gone by putting smart security features in place. Opt for a vacation rental near the activities your family wants to enjoy. Lastly, be sure to pack lots of snacks and any medications necessary for everyone to stay safe and healthy. Before you know it, the whole family will be loving life in paradise!

Sponsored Post by Courtney Rosenfeld of Gig Spark. Image via Pexels