The last couple of years have been a challenge for many families, but life is slowly returning to normal. International travel is still not feasible in many parts of the world, which means that you’ll need to get creative. Thinking of different ways to make the most of time together as a family can be a challenge, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. Check out these family vacation tips from the Sleepless Mom for inspiration, and get ready to make the most of your time together.
Ideas for Great Family Vacations
1. Go Glamping at a National Park
Glamping combines the sense of adventure of visiting a national park or another beauty spot with the comforts you’re used to at home. Instead of staying in a cold tent and heating beans over a fire, you can stay in a more glamorous yurt, sleeping in a proper bed and having access to the amenities you’re used to.
Glamping is family-friendly, and even reticent teenagers won’t be able to complain too much when they discover the tent has a power source for them to recharge their phones. If your family is split in their fandom over the great outdoors, glamping in a gorgeous location is not only a great compromise, it’s a surefire crowd pleaser.
2. Try a Staycation at a Local Vacation Rental
It’s possible to get a change of scenery without going far. Simply staying at a vacation rental in your home city or another nearby location could be all it takes to see the area through the eyes of a tourist. There are rentals all over the country (and they especially abound in Los Angeles), so it should be easy to find one near a spot you’ve always wanted to explore.
Vacation rentals are affordable, and many of them are fully equipped houses or studios that include a full kitchen and even laundry facilities. You get the fresh, clean, and clutter-free feel of a hotel, privacy, and a change of scenery, yet you can still cook your own meals instead of spending a fortune eating out.
While a staycation in your home city might not seem as exotic as a trip abroad, even Angelenos are often surprised to find out just what their home city can offer. Especially in major metropolitan areas like ours, locals can often take their city’s museums, theaters, architecture, history and even public libraries for granted.
3. Caravans and RVs Give You Maximum Freedom
Hit the road and explore places you’ve always overlooked by heading off on a caravan holiday. Modern RVs offer lots of home comforts, making them a comfortable yet liberating way to explore off the beaten track. They can also be surprisingly easy to drive if you choose a Class B motorhome.
Many RVs can support solar power, too, meaning you can go off-grid and not have to worry about finding a place with utilities to top up your batteries. It’s hard to beat that kind of freedom. Just be sure you have a plan in place to keep kids entertained when you’re on the road!
4. Treat Yourself at Home
If you’ve been working or studying hard, why not try an old-style staycation? Holidays are about doing something different and taking time away from the daily grind. You can do that at home, even if you can’t travel. Not to mention that staying at home saves you from needing to plan a trip. Not only will you save time and avoid stress, you’ll also save money. A staycation allows you to avoid spending money on pricey hotel rooms and gas.
Make a list of fun projects to work on. These could be renovating the house, doing arts and crafts, going out for walks in the neighborhood, or just enjoying movie nights with the kids followed by a long bubble bath and a glass of wine. The choice is yours.
Treasure Every Moment
Whether you stay at home or head off to glamp in a yurt, make sure you treasure every moment. Take photos and spend some time each day talking about what you all enjoyed. When all is said and done, and you’ve unpacked after returning home, the memories you created as a family will be remembered and cherished for the rest of your lives.
Guest Writer – Jenna
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