Planning the Ultimate Multi-Generational Family Getaway

Hoping to plan the perfect family getaway? Looking for travel ideas for kids, parents and grandparents combined?

Imagine a trip where grandparents get to see the world through their grandkids’ eyes, parents get a break from their daily grind, and kids create memories with the entire family that they’ll remember forever. Multi-generational family vacations are growing in popularity, and for good reason.

Shared memories can often transcend generations and creating memories the entire family can talk about for decades to come is one of the many reasons to travel with an extended family. In todays busy world, carving out some much needed family time gets harder every year.

However, let’s be honest, balancing the needs of different age groups can feel like juggling flaming torches at times. Seniors often have health and mobility concerns, parents are often over stressed, and kids are either glued to their devices or have so many activities going on in their lives that they often don’t know if they’re coming or going.

The good news? With thoughtful planning and the right destination, you can craft a trip that’s as fun as it is stress-free for every member of your family.

How to Plan the Perfect Family Getaway: Ideas for Kids, Parents, and Grandparents

Step 1: Picking Accommodations That Work for Everyone

Your choice of accommodation can make or break a trip. For multi-generational groups, flexibility and space is key.

• All-Inclusive Resorts: These are great for stress-free family travel. All-inclusive resorts provide dining, entertainment, and childcare in one convenient package. Everyone can pick their own adventure while staying within arm’s reach of each other and all of them offer day trips if you want more culture or more excitement on your trip. Find the perfect multi-generational retreat with Escapes.ca’s all-inclusive vacations.
• Vacation Rentals: If you’re looking for a home-away-from-home vibe, consider an Airbnb or Vrbo. Shared spaces like kitchens and living rooms make family bonding easy, while separate bedrooms provide much-needed privacy. These can be initially cheaper than all-inclusives but make sure you budget in your meals, alcohol and any activities as those will all cost you extra.
• Cruises: A family cruise offers a floating resort experience, with options ranging from kids’ clubs to fine dining. Some cruise lines, like Disney or Royal Caribbean, excel at catering to multi-generational groups though you’ll likely pay handsomely for the privilege.

Why All-Inclusive Resorts Shine for Multi-Generational Travel

All-inclusive resorts take the guesswork out of planning. Here’s why they’re perfect:

• Everything in One Place: Dining, entertainment, and activities are all covered, so no one has to stress about logistics.
• Customizable Fun: Kids can join supervised clubs, grandparents can lounge by the pool have a spa day, and parents can enjoy activities like yoga or water sports.
• Budget-Friendly: Upfront pricing makes it easier to plan and avoid unexpected expenses plus a lot of resorts charge the same per 2 person booking as they do for shared rooms. That means that the grandparents can have their own room down the hall from you and the costs don’t double like staying in a hotel. If you have older kids, they could have theirs as well.
• Examples to Consider: Iberos Resorts in Dominican Republic, Bahia Principe or Barcelo resorts in Mexico, or Riu Resorts in Montego Bay Jamaica.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Destination

Picking the perfect destination is crucial to ensuring everyone has a great time. Start by considering:

• Accessibility: Choose a destination that’s easy to navigate for grandparents who may have mobility concerns. Think resorts with shuttles, flat walking paths, and minimal stairs.
• Family-Friendly Activities: Look for destinations that cater to all interests. For example, a beach destination might offer snorkeling and paddle boarding for the adventurous while providing serene beachfronts for relaxation.
• Weather and Season: Consider travel times and seasons that are comfortable for all ages. Not too hot for grandparents and not too cold for young kids. If planning a beachside holiday, make sure that the water is comfortable to swim in but not so busy you regret leaving your room.
• Top Picks: Mexico’s family-friendly beaches, Orlando’s theme parks, or European destinations like Italy and Spain, which combine culture with family-friendly attractions.

Step 3: Crafting a Balanced Itinerary

The secret to a successful multi-generational family trip is balance. While it’s tempting to pack your itinerary with activities, it’s better to create a schedule that allows for flexibility.

• Group Activities: Plan experiences that everyone can enjoy together, such as a guided walking tour, a family-friendly cooking class, or a wildlife safari. Often a shared experience can transcend the mundane because the whole family got to partake in it.
• Age-Specific Activities: Include downtime for grandparents, like spa treatments, while kids burn off energy at a pool or playground.
• Dividing When Appropriate: Sometimes separating the group for specific activities can allow everyone to get something from the trip that they can’t as a group. Whether that be ziplining through the jungle or going out for a romantic meal, realize that sometimes giving each person their own time can benefit the family as a whole. If nothing else, it gives the family things to talk about afterwards.
• Free Time: Build in periods of free time or down time for everyone to explore independently or simply relax if they’re feeling burnt out. We’ve learnt over our many years of travel with our family that when someone hits the burnt out stage that the entire group suffers. Factor that into your time equations when creating your plans and don’t fret about not doing every single thing a new place offers. The point of the trip is family and sharing and not tired and cranky.

Stress-Free Travel Tips

• Book Early: Multi-generational trips often require larger accommodations or group bookings. Planning ahead ensures you get the best options and if you’re planning for an all-inclusive getaway, often the best price is well before things start booking up.
• Travel Insurance: Cover everyone with a comprehensive policy. It’s especially useful for families traveling with young kids or older adults. There are cheaper plans that cover larger families so make sure you search them out for better deals.
• Meal Planning: All-inclusive resorts simplify meals, but for other trips, choose restaurants with varied menus that accommodate dietary restrictions. if you’re cooking for yourself, make sure that you make something your whole family will enjoy. When away from home and cooking for ourselves, we always try to include a few local flavored meals using local ingredients while also throwing in an occasional tried and true family favorite meal to give a small taste of home.
• Delegate Responsibilities: To reduce stress, assign roles, such as one person handling transportation while another manages bookings. This helps spread the load of planning a trip and ensures everyone has their say.
• Get Everyone On Board: The more each member of your family shares their input ahead of time, the more likely that they’ll enjoy that same activity when it finally arrives. We’ve learnt to prep our kids for our travels more as they get older so that they feel invested in the trip and have a personal activity they’ve chosen that they get to look forward to. It goes a long way to ensuring that the trip isn’t just what this person or that person wants but that there’s something for every member of the family.

Packing and Preparing for a Multi-Generational Trip

• Essentials: Bring medications, snacks for kids, and entertainment for downtime. If it’s a long flight, make sure to bring things to make the flight easier with little ones.
• Shared Items: Consider packing communal items like sunscreen, travel-sized games, and books. If you have a pool where you’re staying, packing or buying a few small inflatables when you get there isn’t a bad idea either nor is packing large refillable water bottles so everyone stays hydrated on days spent in the sun or on hikes.
• Tech Tools: Use apps like Google Maps or WhatsApp to coordinate schedules and stay connected. Look at getting a shared Wifi device or picking up eSims for data for a few of the group if you think you’ll be splitting up often enough.
• Light Packing: Encourage everyone to pack light to leave room for souvenirs. We still travel with only carry-ons but with a large family group, consider checking a few bags so that getting around the airport is easier on everyone and boarding/unboarding the plane remains stress free.

Wrapping Up: Embrace Flexibility and Have Fun

No trip is without its hiccups, but the magic lies in creating shared experiences and lasting memories. Embrace flexibility, focus on the moments that matter, and remember, the best part of a family vacation is being together.