Growing up, I was the typical teenager that dreamed of getting out on my own someday, away from my parents' curfew and rules. It only took me about a month or two of being out on my own to realize just how much I did appreciate them and all they had done for me my entire life. As we both get older, I grasp just how precious time with them is. That is why our family has started incorporating multigenerational vacations into our travel plans.
There are so many benefits to taking trips with grandparents. So many Americans get limited amounts of vacation days. Spending time with the kids and your parents at the same time without using extra vacation days is such a smart use of time off. It's also such a nice way to incorporate memories for everyone. Family vacations are some of the best memories I have growing up, and they will stick with me forever. Having a larger party can mean sharing the cost of a rental property and oftentimes, this means you can get more bang for your buck. This summer, we rented a large cabin in the mountains and it was more economical than one fancy hotel room per night. Another benefit is that the grandparents can take the kids off to do something special, while you can do something more adventurous with your spouse. Or check out a city on foot without little legs trying to keep up and finish with a fancy meal at a place with no kid's menus.
Some top vacation ideas to please young and young at heart:
Theme parks: The grandparents can experience the magic of places like Disney through their grandchildren's eyes. And there are enough adults around to switch off when the adults want to go on the thrill rides.
Cruises: Cruises have something for everyone. Most have kids' clubs when the adults need a little break. They have activities like Bingo and swimming, and of course everyone can agree on eating as a fun activity to do together.
Mountain escape: Renting a cabin in the mountains can be such a nice, relaxing time to reconnect as a family. Bring some card games, board games, s'mores and plenty to cook out and sit back and enjoy the view and the quality time.
City life: Exploring a new city can be so exciting. Many places have a plethora of activities centered around kids, like museums, aquariums and parks. And when the kids need a rest, the parents can head out for a night on the town knowing they are in good hands with the grandparents.
Beach: The beach is one of the most popular places to take a multigenerational trip. Who doesn't like to sit on a beach chair and have a tropical drink while the kids play for hours in the sand? An all-inclusive resort will make the trip easy as all meals and drinks are provided, so no figuring out where to go or how to divide up the check.
Multigenerational vacations continue to grow year over year as people realize the benefits for everybody involved. Where would you like to go as a big, extended family?
