I am a mother of three now-adult children. I’ve had kids from all over the US, Europe, the Caribbean, and even the South Pacific. When you are a family of five with a mix of girls and boys, it is crucial to consider everyone to make your trip enjoyable. I’ve put together a list of tips below to help you make the most of your next family beach vacation.
5 Tips to Make Your Family Beach Vacation Unforgettable
Involve the children in the planning process.
Share and show them pictures of the possible destinations. Find out what activities are important to them. For example, I let each of our three children choose an excursion for our last family trip. This gave us 3 of our 7 days off the resort to do things we knew each child would enjoy.
Pick a resort with a good kids’ activity program.
Make sure the program the resort offers has activities that your child would enjoy participating in. Be sure the resort’s activities suit your children’s ages. Not all resorts have activities that entertain that “tween” and “teen” crowd. When your children are busy being entertained, you can steal some time for yourselves.
Pick a resort with a variety of dining options.
We all know how picky kids can be when it comes to eating. Make sure the resort has a good buffet option. It is also helpful when they have an American option that you know the kids will go for, such as a Pizzeria. If your child has any food allergies, check with the resort before booking to see if it can accommodate them. Often, the chef will meet with you to arrange the necessary meal plan for your stay. Several resort chains have now begun to include gluten-free options for their guests, as well as handling dairy and peanut allergies.
Pick a resort that offers spacious rooms.
When you are used to having your own bedroom and/or bath each morning, it is important to consider the size and amenities of the room types at the resorts you are considering for your family. Many resorts now offer bunk bed options for families of 5, separate rooms for kids, and family suites with 2 bedrooms.
Remember to relax.
You are on vacation after all. Consider locking the electronics in the room safe. Do activities together and apart (Spa time for mom?). But most of all, have FUN!
PS: Don’t forget to use your favorite travel professional to help you find the perfect resort match for you!
Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.
She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds. Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind. She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember. With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.
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