Summer Vacation Planning Tips for Dads

Avoid Traveling During Peak Times: It’s hard to enjoy yourself when the sights are packed or if you’re sitting in a traffic jam. Check your destination to see when the busiest times are and try to avoid them. Earlier or later in the summer usually works best.

Be Flexible: Have some solid plans/reservations in place, but allow for some breathing room – especially if you’re traveling with young children. Plan for some bobbles and mix-ups and be willing to change your plans if need be. Make sure to budget for extra pit stops and plenty of play time!

Let Your Kids Help You Plan: Including your children in the planning process will get them excited about the vacation and they’ll be more likely to behave if they are participating in activities they’ve chosen themselves. Give them some basic parameters (such as location and price range) and let them choose whether you’ll be visiting the zoo, hiking a scenic trail, or relaxing by the pool.

Make Vacation a Learning Experience: Summer vacations are a fun way to reinforce what your children are learning in school. Choose historical sites that your kids have studied, or take them to a science center or a museum for a hands-on learning experience.

Prepare for Long Travel Times: Provide entertainment for long car rides and plane trips with some fun games and activities. If your children are engaged, the trip will be more enjoyable for your whole family. Coloring books, small toys, and brain teasers all make for great activities.

And of course, don’t forget to relax and enjoy yourself! Dads, the most important part of any vacation is the quality time that you are able to spend with your family. Memories made on family vacations will last for years to come, and your family will treasure the time you spend with them.