How to Plan a Family Trip That Everyone Will Actually Enjoy Together
Summer is approaching, and if you’re thinking about packing up the family for a vacation, you’re far from alone. According to the 2025 U.S. Family Travel Survey by the Family Travel Association, NYU, and Good Housekeeping, 92% of parents say they plan to travel with their children in the next 12 months — the highest intent level since the pandemic.
The payoff is real: shared memories, new experiences, and kids who grow up with a bigger sense of the world. But getting there requires more planning than a solo or couples getaway. Here’s how to make it work for everyone.
Start With a Family Meeting
Before anyone opens a booking app, get the whole family in the room — or on a call — to talk it through. Ask each family member, including the kids, what they want to do or see. This simple step can prevent resentment later and give everyone a sense of ownership over the trip.
That approach lines up with what researchers are finding. Anna Abelson, adjunct instructor at the NYU SPS Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality and co-author of the 2025 U.S. Family Travel survey, notes: “Our survey confirms an important shift in family dynamics toward ‘kidfluence,’ with children now serving as true ‘co-pilots’ in trip planning. The positive results of involving them are clear: 84% of parents report it makes their kids more adaptable and open to new experiences. Sixty-one percent of parents reported that involving children in travel planning has a positive impact on their child’s happiness and engagement during the trip. This generation of young travelers is highly digitally native, finding inspiration via social media and digital platforms. The planning experience is evolving rapidly, driven by the next generation’s input and the digital tools available to their parents.”
Pick the Right Destination for Your Group
Not every destination suits every family. Consider the ages of your kids — a toddler and a teenager have very different needs. Look for places with a mix of activities: something for the adults, something for the kids.
According to Condor Ferries’ 2025 family travel statistics, 70% of families prioritize amenities for children when choosing accommodation.
And what families choose varies by who’s traveling. “Although beach vacations are most popular among families, parents are more likely to plan city (36%) and national or state park visits (37%), while grandparents lean into museum and cultural trips when it’s just them and the grandkids (40% skip-gen),” Lexie Sachs, Executive Director of Strategy and Operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute, notes.
Set a Realistic Budget — and Pad It
Family travel isn’t cheap. The average American family spent around $8,052 on travel in 2024, per the 2025 U.S. Family Travel survey. Adding a 10-15% buffer for unexpected costs — a sick day, a lost bag, an impromptu ice cream stop — can save a lot of stress.
A few ways to stretch the budget:
- Book lodging with a kitchen to cut dining costs.
- Look into family passes for museums, parks, and transit.
- Consider vacation rentals like Airbnb or VRBO, which are often cheaper and more practical than hotels for larger families.
Book Early, Especially for Families
Family-friendly accommodations like adjoining rooms, suites, and vacation rentals sell out faster than standard rooms. Flying with kids? Midweek flights are typically cheaper and less crowded. And book seats together at checkout — don’t assume the airline will seat your family together automatically.
Plan the Itinerary With Kids’ Stamina in Mind
Overscheduling is one of the most common family travel mistakes. Build in rest time every afternoon, especially for young children. Lock in your accommodations and any major ticketed attractions, but leave the rest flexible. A loose schedule gives everyone room to breathe.
Handle the Logistics in Advance
Check visa requirements for all travelers — kids and even babies need their own passports in most countries. Consider travel insurance for unexpected issues. And pack a dedicated kid bag with snacks, activities, chargers, and any medications they might need.
Manage Expectations
Here’s the truth every experienced family traveler knows: something will go wrong. That’s part of the trip. Kids often remember the funny mishaps more than the perfect days.
Build in low-pressure time — a morning at the hotel pool, a slow walk to nowhere. Those unplanned moments often become the ones your family talks about for years.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
