A family vacation is one of the best ways for everyone to reunite and bond again after being separated due to daily “life” activities such as school and career demands.
Family adventures take some planning and repeating the same adventure every year could defeat the purpose of “new adventures”.
However, for families still on the fence, deliberating if the money spent on vacation is worth it, it totally is! (There has also been extensive research that confirms this to be true!)
Benefits of family vacation
- Family cohesion
Studies have revealed that participation in leisure activities among family members, especially between parents and children, can increase bonding. It can also help children to learn how to share and, at the same time, build loyalty in the family.
- Learning
Every stage of a family trip offers a different learning experience, and the pre-travel stage teaches planning skills. Children also learn different skills during joint activities with their parents like negotiation skills when parents haggle ticket prices.
It is also a time to help children overcome their weaknesses, like encouraging them to enter a cave to defeat their claustrophobia.
- Reduces divorce rate
It can be tough to raise a family, and longer work hours could reduce a couple’s closeness and impair affection. Family travel, away from most of this mental stress, can significantly boost and rejuvenate a couple’s bond, which could invariably reduce divorce chances.
- Improves childrenโs well-being
Family meals during vacation can do wonders. A study report published in 2004 discovered that the more children eat meals with their families, the lesser their chances of using tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana.
Children with a high frequency of family meals suffer fewer cases of depression and are less involved in suicide.
Kinds of family adventure vacation
Below are some kinds of family adventures every family should explore at least once.
Road Trip
Instead of flying to your destination, consider a road trip as an alternative that would give you a different view of the country or a new one (if you are that daring!)
This is an opportunity to spend the most time with your family. Just remember to keep everyone engaged so that the long drive will not be boring- play road trip bingo or I spy, maybe sing some songs! You don’t want the dreaded, “are we there yet?” the whole time!
A well-planned road trip offers numerous adventures as it is not unlikely to come across a place that every member of the family would like to explore. Hello Buc-ee’s!ย It allows your family to experience people along the way too.
There is also no better way to enjoy natureโs beauty than through a road trip.
Always prepare for a roadside emergency; you never can predict what will happen, so it is better to be safe than sorry. We travel with blankets, flares, flashlights, phone chargers, tire pressure gauge, seat-belt cutter and window smasher, in addition to, our go-to first aid kit and our travel Life-Vac.
Cruise
If you consider surprising a family member during vacation, a cruise is an excellent way to do it. There are so many cruise line options that are great for families.
Aside from the ocean view, there are other activities for boating enthusiasts besides just an afternoon sail or a weekend getaway; on a day cruise you can:
- Picnic
- Anchor and go swimming
- Get a DJ and do some dancing
- Look for natural reefs and go snorkeling
โFamilies interested in comfort and taking beautiful pictures should sail on larger vessels because they are sturdy & safe, handles open swell easily [pictures are easier to take], and with it comes a bit more luxury, enhancing the whole experienceโ, says Snap-In Carpet, makers of teak vinyl boat flooring.
Go Abroad
Going across the pond offers both relaxation and learning experiences for families. It is an avenue to see notable places that your children have probably only seen in movies.
Your family trip might also be to visit a family member living in another part of the world. This allows time to reconnect and also explore the area.
Beach Vacation
A beach vacation is our favorite because it can be something other than a stand-alone trip. It can be incorporated into another adventure or with extended family.
Beach trips are excellent for a quiet getaway lounging on the beach and swimming, but when you are ready to do something else, there are so many adventurous activities to try out;
- Seashell hunt
- Hole digging
- Volleyball
- Can Jam
- Treasure hunt
- Buried treasure
Ski trips
Skiing is an adventurous activity for all ages, and it is both fun and rewarding…even for littles. Kids can expect to be opened up to a new world! There are many beginner-friendly resorts if you have never skied before. Likewise, it is a great time to push another family member to learn something new.
There are so many options for family adventures! Where will you go next?
