Sometimes a special outing — or a vacation — might look good on paper, but it can be a complete bust if the grown-ups fail to take into account the kids’ ages and desires. In fact, matching the perfect trip to the right age takes some experience and planning.
The first question we ask is how old the kids are, as that impacts every component of the trip. When arranging a multigenerational vacation or working with a family that spans multiple ages. The key is to avoid shoehorning everyone into one activity.
One common mistake happens at the very beginning of trip planning, when making plans for a big trip, too many parents start the process determining where they want to go. Instead, they should begin by deciding on what they want to do, because when parents pick a place, it eliminates a lot of possibilities.
Following is targeted advice for increasing the joy — and reducing the pain — of family vacations for different ages.
Ages 0-5
Many people might consider a vacation with young kids to be more difficult, but we disagree.
With babies between the ages of 0 and 2, parents can pretty much travel wherever they please — as long as they are able to bring along provisions and keep the routine of an infant consistent.
For example, Beaches resorts provide a kids’ club for infants and children through age 12. Meanwhile, certified nannies are available to care for infants (ages 0-2), along with toddlers (ages 3-5).
Small children are often more predictable in terms of their routines, and they are relatively easy to carry along on mellow outings. At this age, health and safety is a concern, and parents will want to make sure they pick a destination that has plenty of access to clean water.
A cruise is also perfect for little kids. You have all of your food at hand with tons of choices — many lines will order food specifically for you — and diapers and wipes can be delivered as well.
Adolfo Perez, vice president of sales and trade marketing for Carnival Cruise Line, says ships definitely have more resources dedicated to little ones. In addition to kids’ clubs for various ages, the new Carnival Horizon will have the first Dr. Seuss-themed waterpark.
Top destinations for this age group include Italy, Hawaii, the Caribbean, France, Spain and Portugal, as well as Christmas markets in Germany.
Ages 6-11
This is the sweet spot of family travel: Kids at this age begin to appreciate travel destinations and experiences. The accommodation setup is still important for a lot of families, but there’s an increasing focus on activities. This is also a good age for kids’ clubs. Kids want to learn, but the goal should be to keep it interactive — don’t plan a museum visit, make it a treasure hunt. An entertaining tour guide can be a lifesaver for this age group, too.
This is a great age for all-inclusives, accommodations with a pool, and cruises.
“The size of our ships provide a huge canvas that allows us to create unique spaces for kids,” Adolfo Perez said. “We offer spectacular waterparks, outdoor attractions such as basketball courts, mini-golf, a ropes course and, on Carnival Vista, the groundbreaking SkyRide bike-ride-in-the-sky aerial attraction. The idea is to provide kids and parents with their own space while at the same time offering activities that appeal to everyone.”
This is the fun time when parents can, and should, engage kids in travel planning. At this age, it’s all about engaging curious minds and building itineraries that evoke a child’s specific interests. Parents want education, and kids want entertainment. So, it’s about making learning fun.
Ages 12-17
Kids age 12 to 17 can be picky travelers, but they are also the most independent, which gives parents more freedom, too. This is a good time to plan trips that incorporate socialization skills, an appreciation for cultural awareness and adventure. Everyone needs a bed at this stage, so room configurations still matter, but there is more flexibility in terms of the setup — rooms can be adjacent instead of connecting. It’s also a good idea at this age to involve teens in the vacation planning, so they feel more engaged.
Kids start to become more discerning about what they are willing to do once they reach 12. To that end, parents should engage them earlier in the planning process to help choose the destination.
Parents should not to underestimate their teens. Activities such as cooking classes and surf lessons can lead to memorable bonding experiences for a family.
At this age, travel can have a major impact on teens’ world views, making it an ideal time to introduce the importance of giving back to local communities. Beaches offers Island Impact, a “volun-teenism” program that gives teen students the chance to give back to the local area and earn community service hours while they are on vacation. Then, at night, they can have fun at Club Liquid, a teens-only dance club with a South Beach vibe, where they can hang out with people their own age — no kids and no one over 21 allowed.
For this age group, we recommend active travel, such as small-ship expedition cruising or scuba diving in Palau, Fiji or the Philippines. Other destinations suggested including Iceland, Belize, Cambodia, Vietnam, Morocco, Peru and even Antarctica.
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