Start Your Family Vacation Off On The Right Foot

You and your family are riding down the road on your way to a vacation destination you have been dreaming about for years. Somewhere along the way, your little one shouts out that she left her favorite blanket at home. For the next 100 miles, you hear pitiful sobs from the backseat.

What can you do to stave off this kind of emergency? Plan ahead and you can start off your vacation on the right foot.

As you prepare for your trip, keep these things in mind:

• Any essentials that cannot be left at home – Make a checklist and be sure to include things like that blanket.
• A travel plan that includes plenty of stops – Children and road trips do not necessarily go hand-in-hand. You can make your time in the car go much better, however, if you plan to stop a lot along the way. Kids need to get up and stretch. Do not head out the door with the idea of driving for 10 hours straight without stops.
• Things to occupy them – To make the miles go by even faster, be sure to bring along little distractions. Whether these are handheld video games, a portable DVD player for favorite movies or car games, just have something ready for when they get bored!
• Activities once you arrive – Your intent might be to go and spend 10 days in the mountains, which is great for a family vacation. Do, however, have a few activities in mind just for the kids. Things like a nature scavenger hunt, a trip to a local miniature golf course or even a stop at a movie theater for a quick kids flick, can give them something that is theirs to enjoy on the trip.

Getting off on the right foot can keep a vacation on track from the time you leave until you open your front door once everything is over. With a little planning, your family will have a vacation to remember.