Last updated on July 8th, 2022 at 05:17 pm
Getting ready for a family vacation always involves a fair amount of planning. It’s not just about choosing a destination that satisfies the grown-ups; you need to think about the best travel activities for the entire family and what each age group will find interesting and fun.
It’s quite normal for a family vacation to include “extra” activities of some sort, as this keeps the kids entertained and happy and allows them to have some really memorable experiences. But what activities should you include in your plans? Let’s take a look at some fun ideas that will get the whole family involved.
Biking – Explore Your Surroundings by Bike
One of the most enjoyable parts of a family vacation is exploring new destinations together. And while there is nothing wrong with doing this by car, public transportion, or on foot, that may not be as engaging for the kids. Instead, look into renting some bikes at your vacation destination to make the experience a lot more fun for them. There may even be some guided, or self-guided, bike tours you can sign up for.
Just be sure to think about the schedule for your biking adventure. You don’t want to push the kids too far and have them exhausted and grumpy. It’s a good idea to combine biking with a bit of walking, resting, and a chance to stop for a snack and something to drink.
Kayaking – Enjoy a Day Out on the Water
For families who enjoy the water and plan to include access to a lake in their upcoming vacation, kayaking can be an excellent family activity. You can get everyone involved easily by using tandem kayaks. Depending on the size of your family, you’ll probably need a couple of these kayaks. They range in length from 18 to 24 feet in order to accommodate both people, and it gives the two of you a chance to work together — which is great for family bonding.
What’s nice about this activity is that it can be worked into your holiday plans of course, but it can also act as a mini-break or day trip when you drive to nearby lakes. While out on the water, you will be able to set your own pace, which means you can keep things slow and relaxing, taking in all the beauty and nature that surrounds you, or turn it into a workout and really burn some calories.
Hiking – Traverse the Local Trails
Finally, there is the sightseeing and exploring you can do by foot. Hiking is a wonderful family activity that will have everyone burning energy and calories, and taking in the local nature and wildlife. You can do some research in advance to see if the destination you’ve chosen has any local or nearby hiking trails. Keep in mind, you want to pick a trail that is family-friendly, which means it must be relatively flat and easy to hike, not too long, and provide on-site bathroom facilities if needed.
To help make the hiking experience a little more engaging and fun, you can bring some binoculars with you and a local guide book on the nature and wildlife in the area. You can then challenge everyone to try to spot as many items in the book as possible.
Staying active while on your family vacations isn’t just good for your physical health; it also gives the whole family a chance to enjoy some really memorable and immersive experiences in exciting destinations. Hopefully these ideas have inspired you!
Also read —
Best National Park Day Hikes for Beginners
Family Camping Trip Checklist — 20 Items You Need
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