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A Day on Your Family Vacation

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As Eisenhower said, “Planning is everything, the plan is nothing” It’s important to start each day with a rough outline for how you’ll spend the day in advance, but don’t be too wedded to it. The plan will help you transition well between activities and spend a minimum of time figuring out details during the day.

Each day needs to have:

• Three meals
• A couple of opportunities for snacks. You might want to pack your own to be assured of finding something that your kids will like at the right time. Bring a long a couple of kid friendly restaurant names along with addresses and hours. Ideally, you'll have the restaurant or cafe plotted on a map. Our kid friendly city guides can help with this.
• One cultural activity that the grownups are excited about along with any information about activities for kids. For example, some museums have a special kids area or special information for kids. Check out our guide to enjoying museums and other cultural activites with kids and toddlers.
• Some unstructured time to relax and be a kid. If there isn't a kids attraction you want to visit, look for parks and playgrounds on a local map (or ask at your hotel).
• Time for naps if needed. If your child will sleep in a stroller or sling, naptime is also a good time for a grown up meal or activity. If your child needs to sleep in a bed, consider taking turns staying with him or her so that each parent gets a chance for some downtime one day and a chance to explore on their own the next.
• Something that the kids will be thrilled with and that they don’t do at home. A new playground counts, so can a "cultural" activity like eating churros and chocolate in Spain.
• An activity before bed that helps the kids wind down. Perhaps a walk along a river, looking at digital photos of the day, or writing in a travel journal.

Here's more details to help you through your family vacation days: