Going on a family weekend getaway might be something you only do once a year; so, of course, you want to make it special and memorable! Your kids won’t be young forever. They probably won’t want to go away with you when they have friends and money of their own. They’ll be busy going where they want to go with their friends. Planning these trips now will help you create special and lasting memories!
9 Ways to Make Your Family Weekend Getaway Memorable
Stay Away From Social Media
Stay away from social media and technology in general, unless you’re snapping pictures or taking videos to help you remember your trip. Even then, make sure you’re not living your trip through a screen. Snap a few pictures and put your phone or camera away, and enjoy the weekend yourself. Live in the moment! Forget about what other people are doing. Upload the pictures when you get home. Don’t worry about uploading them to Facebook or Instagram now. You don’t want a ton of messages and comments taking you away from this special break. So, unplug and stay in the moment and stay mindful.
Allow Extra Time For Younger Kids
If you’re going with your kids, especially younger kids, you’re going to need to plan for extra time on each activity. Kids tend to be slower, and they tend to need more snacks and toilet breaks, as well as rest stops. They can’t rush from one site to another, so don’t expect that from them. If you make them go at your pace, they’ll probably end up falling asleep on you or throwing a huge tantrum. Make sure you’re realistic about what you can complete with them.
Plan A Few Activities In Advance
It could be a good idea to plan a few activities in advance so you know where to go and what to do when you arrive. Looking at something like borgata entertainment could give you a few ideas on things that are suitable for the whole family. However, you don’t want to plan too much. More on this later!
Let Go Of Expectations For This Family Weekend Getaway
If you have too many expectations for your family weekend getaway, you’ll be disappointed when one small thing doesn’t go to plan or something goes ‘wrong’ in your eyes. If you can just let go of expectations and go with whatever happens, you’ll have a much better time. You can’t control the outcome of your trip, no matter how well you plan. Expectations are a recipe for disaster.
Don’t Plan Too Much
Although you might want to plan a few activities in advance, you don’t want to plan too much. You should allow for some space to go with the flow, especially if you have young kids with you. Maybe you’ll want to sit and people watch for a little break, or you might find something that you want to look at more while you’re out exploring. You never know what’s going to happen during a family weekend getaway, so don’t force yourself to stick to a strict timetable.
Make Sure There’s Something For Everyone
Make sure there’s something for everyone before you go away. Is there something all of the kids can enjoy, even if they are different ages? What about both adults and kids? Great restaurants are a good option, as are museums and other educational centers. However, if you want the kids to have the best time, you might have to compromise by attending something just for them. You could go to a theme park, cinema to watch a film they’ve been dying to see, or even just spend time at a play area. Other activities that could suit everyone, especially the kids, include:
- Ice skating
- Going to a water park
- Picnics in the park
- Camping
- Rock climbing
- Surfing
- Beach days
Throw In Some Surprises For The Kids
Kids love being surprised, and they will on the anticipation – this means keeping a few surprises up your sleeve will make the family weekend getaway even more exciting and memorable for them. Kids just love novelty, so a curveball here and there is bound to keep them entertained. Why not go to the toy shop as a surprise, or get some ice cream? These sorts of things will keep them content for a while. If you’re unsure about what you can do in the area, the staff at the hotel or apartment you’re staying in will be happy to advise you.
Embrace The Journey
The journey should be part of the fun! Don’t rush to get to where you’re going. Leave for your family weekend getaway early and really enjoy the process of getting to where you’re going. This will build the excitement for everybody and enhance that anticipation. You can make pit stops, have good food, and see some great sites all while on the road. Kids will need more breaks to stretch their legs anyway, so get some snacks and drinks when you stop. As long as you plan for that extra time, they’ll have a great time too! Don’t forget to have a few car games if you’re driving, and it is always a good idea to have a few secret toys in your bag to pull out if young kids start getting cranky.
Encourage Your Kids To Keep A Journal
Encouraging kids to keep a journal, no matter how simple, will give them something fun to look back at when they are grown up. Encourage them to take pictures on Polaroid or disposable cameras to add to the journal entries. Not only will this give them something else to keep them occupied, it can help them to improve writing and communication skills. They’ll be glad you gave them this idea when they are older!
You might not get many chances to go on a family weekend getaway, so when you do get the opportunity, make sure you make the most of it. The tips and ideas here really will make your trip one to remember.
Do you have ideas of your own? Leave them below! I’d love to hear how you make your short family trips special.
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