Things to Consider Before Planning a Multigenerational Family Trip

Planning a family trip can be tricky when multiple generations are involved. Kids may be raring to go every day, while grandparents might need to take it easy. While it may seem challenging to make everyone happy, it is possible to plan a great trip, no matter how many people are in your multigenerational family.

1. Activities for Everyone

Not everyone in your family will be interested in the same thing. Your teenager won't enjoy the same activities as toddlers, who won't want the same things as your elderly parents. Choose some laid-back activities that everyone will enjoy on not-so-hectic days, such as mini-golfing or the zoo.

A beach day is ideal for everyone if you're at a tropical destination. It allows people to do different things — sunbathe, play in the sand, jump in the ocean — but still be together. 

You can also always make a meal together at least one night of the trip. If your living space has a kitchen, assign each person to one part of the recipe. Together, you can make something great.

2. Financial Situations

Before you even choose your destination, you need to find out how much every person will be able to contribute. You can't cover all the expenses yourself, especially if you have a large group. Adult siblings should pay a portion for their family, too. In some cases, you may spend over $1,000 per person on a vacation, including food, travel and living accommodations.

Consider planning everything ahead of time if you're worried about budgeting effectively. Research what restaurants you'll go to, what groceries you'll get, what paid activities you'll do and more.

3. Special Accommodations

Some people may need special accommodations. When making dinner reservations, make sure the restaurant has a high chair or booster seat available if you need it for a young child in your family. Consider going to more family-style establishments if you have infants or young children.

Additionally, if you have anyone in your group who uses a wheelchair or walker, you may want to ensure that the places you go have accessible ramps and are wide enough to get through.

4. Agreeable Weather

What does "perfect weather" look like to everyone in your family? Some may want to vacation in a warmer region, while others may want to experience a colder climate. It might be a good idea to go somewhere with milder temperatures, rather than extreme hots or colds. Caribbean countries, like Costa Rica, often range from 70-80 degrees on average, meaning you can enjoy warm weather on the beach without worrying about young children or older relatives overheating. 

5. Downtime Plans

You need to schedule some downtime into your itinerary, too. Older family members may want to take it easy on their vacation. People may find it hard to settle down if you overbook your trip with activities.

Remember that the different age groups going on your trip may require various amounts of sleep. Don't plan for a long night out when you have young children and elderly family members who need sufficient shuteye. 

Adults need about eight hours of sleep per night, while children may require more. Ask a member of every generation what they think is too late to be doing activities. That way, you can plan on seeing different attractions accordingly.

6. Independent Activities

You might want to have some backup plans if someone doesn't want to go along with what the majority of the family is doing. They can choose to stay behind at your hotel, but that isn't always fun. Think of planning alternative activities for those who might be introverted or value their alone time. Sometimes, this plan manifests in part of the family venturing out to do something while others might relax on the beach.

7. Include Everyone

You want this vacation to be something everyone will enjoy, so involve everyone in the planning. That way, they can say whether something is not interesting or physically hard to do. Hearing everyone's opinions can also make them feel like they played a vital role in creating the itinerary.

Have everyone pick at least one activity they would be interested in, and try to fit them into your schedule and budget. If you can't include all of them, take a vote or see if anyone would be willing to sacrifice their activity. Before long, you should have an itinerary that everyone should enjoy.

Plan a Trip to Remember

Consider all family members’ preferences so you can plan a vacation everyone will enjoy. Make sure to take plenty of pictures together. Use this time to make memories that will last for a lifetime and photos that you'll treasure long after you return home.