Kids, Travel and You, Part 1: Planning A Trip With Kids
- Nov 9, 2025
- 9 min read
KIDS, TRAVEL AND YOU - PART 1:
PLANNING A TRIP WITH KIDS
(see disclaimer at the end of the article)
5 Fun Facts To Consider
There are several films about family vacations that, for the most part, are funny. The usual premise is to highlight the journey, rather than the destination, and link the plot with funny episodes of crazy adventures or highlighting satirically Murphy's law: what can go wrong, will go wrong. The parents are usually silly, oblivious, their motive rooted in nostalgia about their childhood family vacations while the kids are usually obnoxious, rebellious, obstinate about traveling with their parents in the first place and circumventing their parents good-natured intentions, trying to outwit them. Of course, it usually wraps up with the kids realizing that the parents are not as dumb as they thought (well, at least Mom usually isn't) and the parents understanding that maybe if they had taken their children into account in planning a family vacation, it might have gone differently.
These movies may seem silly, ridiculous or even unrealistic, but they have an element of truth to them. Sometimes there is at least one instance in the movie that reminds you of an episode that actually happened to you (albeit not as over the top). Or the movie uses a location that inspires people to visit there.
It is difficult to prove, but it is possible that movies and multi-part episodes of family sitcoms gives ideas to people about where to travel, especially with children. For example, Hawaii is usually pictured as a romantic location or a wild and crazy place for college kids to visit during spring break, surfing, running around in skimpy swim suits, having bonfires on the beach.
Yet, in the 1970s, rather than taking the traditional road trip, The Brady Bunch packed up everyone, maid and all, and flew off the Hawaii, making families scratch their heads that maybe an exotic vacation can be taken with kids after all. The Vacation franchise started with the traditional road trip in the first movie, but the second movie highlighted the Griswolds' adventures in Europe, with two teenagers in tow. And a mediocre movie entitled Blended had two families that somehow ended up in a fabulous African resort, "victims" of a scheduling error, but with everything working out. Even the second installment of Home Alone (the Lost in New York movie) had the (whole) family ultimately ending up in a luxury hotel in the most famous city in the world (of course you know we would say that!).
These productions and more highlighted that children can accompany their parents on vacations besides the traditional road trip to a theme park or going camping. In fact, children traveling with their parents is a relatively novel idea, historically speaking.
Years ago, in the "children should be seen and not heard" era (such as before World War I), before the "understand your child" phase (such as before World War II) and certainly before the "helicopter parent-everything revolves around the kids" times we see today, children did not vacation with their parents much. If they did, it was to visit relatives, not to journey off somewhere just for leisure. There might have been short fishing or camping trips, but vacations were for the rich. Some rich young women went to finishing schools and traveled as young adults with governesses or chaperones to expand their knowledge of culture and the arts while rich young men had a continental grand tour after they finished college, to see the world and sow their oats before the task of finding suitable spouses.
After the wars, many countries had their economies get better, particularly in the United States. The number of families who were classified as middle class increased, they had more disposable income. New programs enabled more young people to go to college, thereby being in a position to earn more money and have more of their own disposable income. Families owned houses, had cars and the number of companies offering benefits such as the 5 day work week and paid vacation time meant that families could now do more leisurely activities together.
Increasing credit so that families could buy cars also led to the building of more highways across the United States, making the interstate system to be further developed. This lead to road trips, vacations in cars.
Middle class families did not have unlimited incomes. They were still on a budget. TV families that had live in housekeepers were not quite the norm and all of the mothers were not happy homemakers, some did work outside the home during the 1940s, 1950s, and the 1960s before the women's liberation movement and the increase in divorce. So, the road trip was a perfect way to go on vacation, have some leisure time and to create memories for the children. Thus, with all of these developments, the idea of the family vacation was further established for American families.
In the 1960s and 1970s, several developments occurred. The Walt Disney Company decided to expand their business into Florida and create a larger version of their California Disneyland. Walt Disney World brought millions of people to central Florida, but also brought them along the highways in the process. And Carnival Cruise Line started promoting their cruises as fun, showing not only the beautiful people enjoying vacations, but families onboard, kids and adults alike on what used to be a vacation that only rich people enjoyed.
Child psychologists started advocating that parent enjoy their children, highlighting family activities rather than children's activities. In fact, Walt Disney himself said he got tired of sitting on the sidelines watching his daughters play. He wanted something they could do together. He wasn't the only one. Milton Hershey built his factory with a park included in the plans from the beginning, adding rides, a zoo and water rides gradually until it expanded into a full-fledged theme park, for the same reason as Disney: for families to enjoy outings together. To this day, when you enter Hersheypark, you will see more attractions for more blended fun rather than just rides for little ones and then solely thrill rides, with nothing in between.
Hotels in the United States started policies about children aged 17 or under staying free with adults in the same room (a policy we USA people take for granted, thus giving us a surprise when we book hotels in Europe for kids 12 and over). Some restaurants created kids menus, with smaller servings, less expensive prices and special food options that some picky kids like.
Today, children are more fortunate than ever. In fact, there are so many vacation options for families, it is now the thing for adults to ask: are there any adult only options available? Children travel on cruises, stay at 5 star hotels and resorts, are welcome in some locations in Las Vegas and other places people would never dream of taking kids to in the past (or at all). Some resorts offer supervised children's activities so that parents can get a couple of hours to themselves. Theme park companies from the United States have built parks all over the world, so that you can combine those activities with places to see like Paris, Singapore and Shanghai.
And cruises? Let's just say that Virgin Cruises have become extremely popular because they are for adults only. The other cruise lines have catered to families so much a family could become spoiled: water slides, carousels, kids clubs, family movies, etc. The ports of call have developed their offerings as well: aquariums, butterfly farms, waterparks, reptile farms, castles and forts and pirate museums.
The following information is based on our personal experience and research and is not intended as legal advice or information. If you are not the legal guardian of a child that you are taking with you, then please consult legal advice regarding traveling. If you take a child with you who is not your legal ward, research a permission slip that includes a waiver and liability, have the parents sign it and get it notarized. Get all medical information, including insurance information, medications and allergies. Have this information digitally and printed out. Make a copy of the permission slip (yes, a paper copy). Carry the original with you and leave one with the parents. Also, carry a copy of the parents' ID. Check with your insurance about your liability and consult your lawyer about the waiver.
If you take a child with you constantly within the country, have a broad and blanket permission slip that you take with you at all times, along with the medical info, etc.
The child should have a book passport and the passport card. Lock the book passport in the hotel safe and carry the card with you, along with the permission slip. If you are going out of the country, you should have a way to be in touch with the parents at all times: using a texting app that can accommodate both iPhone and Android. You should have international service with unlimited data for texting. Choose a hotel with WiFi so that you can make WiFi calls. Allow the child to develop independence but reassure them they can communicate with their parents at any time. Get travel insurance for everyone. Finally, make sure the parents have the entire itinerary, with hotel addresses and phone numbers.
So, let's get to planning those vacations with the kids in your life: your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, etc.
1. Be the adults When you plan a family trip, take charge as the adults. Traveling with your children is not taking a vacation from being a parent, nor is it the time to start being a parent, if you have be very lenient. Your children are not adults, but they are not unintelligent. They know when you are deviating from your normal parenting style. Allow your children to participate in the planning but ultimately, since the parents are legally responsible for their children, all final decisions should be with the adults. Although each activity optimistically should appeal to everyone, realistically, that may not be possible. Remind kids, "We did something you liked last night, tonight is your brother's choice and we will all be fair and participate." If this is standard procedure in your family lifestyle, this should not be a problem. But if this is something new, then you have to start this policy months before the actual trip. Establish your standards, rules, guidelines and boundaries long before you are on the road.
2. Prep and Plan with the Kids Prepare your children about the destination. Prep them by eating at a restaurant locally that serves the food you will find; visit a museum exhibit, watch travel shows; watch a popular movie that has the locations you are going to see. Start with a local fair or amusement park before spending thousands of dollars at a major theme park.
Emphasize the financial part of planning a trip. For the big dream trips, remind them that a few sacrifices have to be made so that you can get there. Let them start their own fund. Then they can manage their own spending money on the trip. Set boundaries before they get there: "everyone will get one souvenir in this price range and one treat."
3. Plan with the Kids in Mind...
I have found out that kids will embrace new experiences if you are excited about them. Try to plan activities with a kid slant. Even so-called adult excursions may have something for the children at the location. For example, many wineries have now added play areas. This calls for doing a little homework and research in advance. If the child is not your own, spend time with the child on day trips before venturing out on overnight jaunts. This way, you will know in advance what will be appealing.
4. ...Plan for some Grown-Up Time
Kids should also know that at some point there will be grown-up time. Sometimes, they may sit at their own table near you in a restaurant, or play in a certain section at the hotel. Resorts might arrange for a child caregiver for an evening. Let the children know that they might spend some time in kid activities without you. Plan your fun around the kids activities on cruises or at resorts. If you are traveling with more than one family, take turns watching the kids.
5. Pay attention to the lodging
In the USA, it seems as if the entire vacation industry understands you may have children with you. Resorts and hotels have pools, water slides, miniature golf, video games and references for child sitters. Cruise ships have kids’ clubs and adult only areas.
Other countries are a different story. For one thing, some European hotels call a child someone under 10, meaning everyone else is a paying adult! They might require a separate room and they may not have connecting rooms. One solution is for an adult to be in each room. Some hotels do not have elevators. A great option is to rent an apartment while in Europe. You will have the space at a decent price and the option to prepare meals. However, daily maid service is not an option (sorry!). For more information, set up a personal conference with us for some options.
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