Next Sunday is Grandparents Day, and what better way to celebrate than by planning your next big adventure with the kids?
Coming up with a trip that will please kids and adults alike can be harder than it seems – especially if you’re looking for something more original (and more budget-friendly) than a trip to Disney World. Here are some of our top picks and travel tips.
Get in Touch With Nature
In today’s on-the-go world, it’s likely even the youngest grandkids have already started dealing with the stress of homework and afterschool obligations. Give them the respite that only nature provides. If you’ve got an adventurer in your group, check out Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico and get a geography lesson in while you walk. Or, if you have a youngster who’s crazy about horses, take a visit to Maryland’s gorgeous Chesapeake Bay to see the Wild Horses at the Assateague Island National Seashore.
Take a Trip to the City
If your grandkids are more likely to get excited by the prospect of the big city, then Washington, D.C. may be one of the best ones to choose. You could spend days enjoying the free exciting and educational attractions that fulfill every interest, including the National Zoo, Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum, and the monuments. If you have a Veteran in your family, the memorials provide a beautiful chance to talk about your family history. Plus, if the kids are from the suburbs, D.C. provides a great chance to introduce them to public transportation and environmentalism.
Go All-Inclusive
To take some of the pressure out of planning the trip, you can opt for an all-inclusive option, such as a cruise or beach resort. You can play on the beach and enjoy meals together while letting them join a few kids’ activities. This will let them get the most out of the trip while you get a little time to recuperate from keeping up with their youthful energy.
Travel Tips
If you’re traveling without their parents, be sure to get a notarized letter granting permission for the children to travel with you in addition to copies of medical and insurance information. Here is a sample.
For those who haven’t spent one-on-one time with the kids lately, have a trial run by inviting them over for a weekend before the trip. This will allow you to get familiar with their schedules and patterns as well as involving them with planning the trip.
Call home – a lot. The parents will appreciate it and, even if they won’t admit it, the kids are probably feeling a little homesick, too.
