How to Relax on a Family Vacation: 5 Tips That Actually Help
A family vacation is supposed to be a break from everyday life, but traveling with kids does not always feel relaxing. New routines, unfamiliar places, busy schedules, missed naps, restaurant waits, and the pressure to fit everything in can leave parents more tired than they were before the trip.
We have traveled as a family since my first son was born, and now that we travel frequently with two toddlers, I have learned that relaxing on a family vacation usually requires a different mindset. You may not spend the entire trip quietly sitting beside a pool, but you can make the vacation feel much less rushed and stressful.
The biggest difference comes from slowing down, keeping expectations realistic, and leaving enough flexibility for everyone to enjoy the trip. These are five things that have helped our family relax more while traveling with kids.
5 Ways to Relax More on a Family Vacation
1. Slow Down Your Morning Routine
Mornings can be stressful - there's no doubt about it. In our house, mornings are a bit crazy, trying to get ready for work, get the kids up, cook breakfast, and get everyone moving. I think we all wake up a little earlier than we'd prefer. Vacation shouldn't be like that.
If your kids are older, vacation is a great time to let everyone wake up naturally without an alarm. You can even tell older kids that before a certain time, they should expect to hang out quietly in their rooms so the parents can sleep in.
With toddlers, it's a bit different because they don't typically like to sleep in. I also find it's best to keep them as close to their regular sleep schedule as possible. That doesn't mean mornings have to be chaotic, though. Use your family vacation as a great excuse to take things slowly in the morning. Order room service instead of rushing to breakfast, and don't worry about getting everyone out the door at the crack of dawn. The beach will still be there in an hour.
Another way to make mornings easier is to alternate responsibilities. One morning one parent gets up early with the kids while the other sleeps in, and the next morning you switch. Even a little extra rest can make the entire day feel more relaxing.
2. Plan Some Time Apart to Recharge
Yes, the point of a family vacation is to spend time together as a family. However, one way to relax and keep your sanity on a trip is to plan some time apart. This can mean that mom or dad take turns getting some quiet time, or depending on where you travel, it can mean arranging childcare so the parents can enjoy a quiet dinner or a walk along the beach.
Many resorts and all-inclusive properties have kids clubs full of games and activities where parents can leave their children for a while under supervised care. On one of our trips to Grand Palladium White Sand, we used the kids club on two separate occasions so we could enjoy some adult time.
It can feel selfish to leave your kids for a little while when you're on vacation, but it doesn't have to be. Parents can recharge, and the kids may have a great time doing activities with other children. On our Disney Cruise, my kids didn't want to leave the kids club.
3. Build Downtime Into the Day
The easiest way to relax on a family vacation is to actually schedule some time to relax. It can be tempting to pack as much into a vacation as possible, but especially when traveling with small children, that can be a big mistake.
Instead of trying to do every activity, choose the ones that are the best fit for your family and leave room for time at the pool, the beach, or even back at your room. Everything takes longer with a toddler, and trying to force too much into one day usually creates more stress than fun.
Before kids, you might have planned to visit three cities during a one-week trip. With young children, one or two cities may be a much better choice. Packing in too much is tempting, but it can leave you coming home from vacation feeling like you need another vacation.
4. Give Your Family More Space
One of the biggest things that can make traveling with young children more relaxing is having enough room. Cramming everyone into one small hotel room may save money, but it can also make naps, bedtimes, and quiet time much harder.
If possible, choose accommodations with a separate sleeping area, suite, condo, or vacation rental. Even one bedroom with a living area can make a big difference. Small children can nap or go to bed while the adults still have somewhere to sit, talk, watch television, or relax without worrying about waking them up.
When traveling with kids who still nap, you'll probably spend more time in your accommodations than you did before having children. Having a little extra space can make those hours much more comfortable and make the entire trip feel less stressful.
5. Plan Around Your Kids' Usual Sleep Schedule
One of the greatest gifts of travel is spontaneity, and I do think families should leave room for flexibility. But one of the best ways to avoid cranky kids on vacation is to keep their sleep schedule reasonably close to what they are used to at home.
There may be some variation because of time changes, travel days, and the excitement of being somewhere new, but try to keep naps and bedtime fairly consistent when possible. A tired toddler can turn an otherwise great day into a very long one.
I learned the hard way how important a consistent sleep schedule is when traveling with young children. We now plan many of our days around our kids' naps. It sometimes means doing fewer activities, but the entire family is usually happier and the vacation is much more enjoyable.
A relaxing family vacation does not mean every moment has to be quiet or perfectly planned. It usually means giving everyone enough time to rest, avoiding an overloaded schedule, and accepting that traveling with kids moves at a different pace. Whether it's your first family trip or your tenth, slowing things down can help everyone enjoy the vacation more.