11 Tips for Successful Family Trips

Posted by LisaV | 0 comments

Two summers ago we took our first big road trip as a family, driving to Canada to visit Niagara Falls. With memories of long hours in the car as a kid, I wasn’t sure how this first attempt would go. However, we had a great time traveling and staying by the Falls, fitting in a one-day trip to Toronto as well. Below are some tips we learned on this trip.

1. Listen to sermons on tape while you drive. It makes the time pass much faster on the road.
2. A tip we picked up from our older son’s camp week: You can wear the same clothes over and over as long as they are clean.
3. Use the hotel swimming pool. The kids love it and they can learn how to swim, as our kids did on our trip. It doesn’t cost any extra and is a good way to cool off.
4. Regarding hotels, it’s a plus to have a fan in the bathroom and a sink inside too. Free parking is always a plus. It’s better not to stay on the first floor with guests above you. It’s nice to have breakfast included too.
5. If breakfast is not included, bring your own bottled water and bagels or other snacks, which can serve as a quick breakfast at very low cost.
6. It’s okay to try a new restaurant. You might just like it, as we did with Bob Evans.
7. Take lots of pictures as souvenirs. Bring a battery recharger or extra batteries. After you return home, you have fleeting memories but the pictures and videos can last a lifetime.
8. Wear good walking shoes when you set out on foot.
9. My husband booked our vacation online and used MapQuest to get directions from point A to point B. He drove while I navigated. Now we have a Garmin.
10. Visit tourist attractions on the weekdays, as it is busier on the weekends. Also, go early to avoid the crowds.
11. Wear a baseball cap to protect your face from the sun and to cover unwashed hair. They’re a great invention!

Where are you traveling this summer? Do you have a trip tip to share?

Lisa (aka Morning Rose) has been teaching her two elementary-aged sons for four years and incorporating study, work, service, and play into their homeschooling days. She enjoys reading, writing, and photography and blogs publicly at Pockets of Time and privately at Scooter and B.