Plan a family vacation in 8 simple steps

March 15, 2024 • 4 min read

With spring break and summer vacation looming, now’s the time to plan a family vacation for the ages (and for all ages). Whether you’re looking forward to an early spring ski adventure or a summer road trip, here’s how to plan a family vacation your kids will be telling their kids about. Now, onto where to go and what to do!

Points of interest

Vacation rentals with pools turn where you stay into the vacation itself
Small budgets can still mean big fun (see: road trips)
For big groups, designate different people to handle different tasks

A father and daughter sit in front of a large circular window with an incredible view.

1. Where do you want to go?

What should you check off your family’s travel bucket list? Deciding on the destination is the first (and most fun) part of how to plan a family vacation. Here are a few common family vacation types to get your creative juices flowing:

beach, sun, and fun
theme parks and live entertainment
outdoor activities and adventures (stargazing, sports, wildlife)
landmarks, museums, history, and culture
road trips
national parks
famous cities

To get everyone involved, have each family member write their top three places on pieces of paper and put them into a bowl for a random draw to start the conversation.

2. Who’s going?

Is this your first family vacation with your baby? Will you have two small children and a pet in tow? Maybe it's a multi-generational family affair? Whatever your unique family situation, consider every family member’s needs in advance of travel. For instance, Hawai’i may sound great to you and your small children, but your sister-in-law who just had an infant might spend most of the day indoors to avoid the baby getting overheated. Same goes for destinations with a heavy activity focus if you’re traveling with relatives for whom mobility is a concern.

Two toddlers run around the grounds outside of a sunny castle.

3. What’s your budget?

While budget is a factor for almost everyone these days, it doesn't have to derail your vacation plans. Spending more on airline tickets to get to a desired destination might mean seeking out more affordable accommodations. Staying in a luxury accommodation could mean taking a slightly shorter vacation. Driving to your destination and getting a vacation rental might mean you can take that longer two-week vacation your family needs. If you’re flying, you can often save money by seeking flights with layovers or adjusting your traveling dates.

4. When can you go (and for how long)?

If you’re planning a vacation with immediate family, determining when you will go is likely a simple matter of figuring out when family members can get time off work and school. If you’re planning a trip with relatives or extended family, this becomes a bit more complicated. Have everyone share two to three possible stretches of time in which the vacation could take place. Then determine the most agreeable stretch of time for everyone.

5. What’s the best type of accommodation?

Now comes the fun part: once you’ve decided on the where, it’s time to make some reservations. When you’re looking at accommodation, consider a vacation rental. The right rental can offer amenities and conveniences that are great for family travel, such as:

staying in a neighborhood close to main attractions
extras to keep the kids entertained
a kitchen to make your early-morning coffee or reheat leftovers
space for adults, kids, AND the family pet

A chic wooden kitchen overlooks a crowded pine forest.

Entire cabin in Jordan River, Canada

6. What do you need to pack?

Packing for family vacations is a crucial skill set. Everything you remember to pack is one less thing you have to purchase in your destination. We have all the tips you need to pack for the whole family, plus some ideas for what to bring on board to keep you and the kids entertained.

7. How should you prepare for international travel?

Traveling overseas? We’ve got advice on taking long flights with little ones, as well as strategies for beating jet lag once you get there. Be sure to keep these essentials in mind as you prepare.

Travel documents. Ensure the entire family’s passports are up-to-date and secure any necessary visas. Pack (and keep on your phone) all important documents, such as driver’s licenses, IDs, travel insurance, and health information.

Money. Obtain any local currency (you can even order it from your bank ahead of time!) and alert your credit card company of your travel dates to avoid a hold being placed on your card.

Mobile phone and internet. If you need to stay connected, pick up a travel package in advance to avoid any roaming fees.

Immunizations. Ensure your family has up-to-date protection against common ailments in the country of destination.

8. What to do when you get there?

Write up a short (but flexible) itinerary in advance for each day to ensure you don’t miss a must-do activity. Have a few backup plans as well — bad weather, illness, poor sleep, and transportation mishaps are just a few of the potential reasons your family may need to pivot.

Vacation planning is ultimately no different than navigating to a destination — easier when you have a clear roadmap, and better when the journey is broken into manageable steps. Hopefully this guide helps ease your planning so you can focus on anticipating your coming trip — research shows that looking forward to a vacation is half the fun!