Memory-making must-haves for unforgettable family vacations!
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What are some of your favorite childhood memories from vacation?
Mine include summers in Miami, visiting with my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Large family gatherings, food on the grill, and a room full of boisterous Cubans? Now that’s a good time!
Honestly, I couldn’t tell you much about the places that we visited during those trips. I vaguely remember walking through the county fair one year, or shopping at Dolphin Mall (a DREAM for a teenage girl). But those weren’t the places where my most precious memories lived; they came alive in the smell of my tía’s handmade croquetas, the doting from my older cousins, and holidays shared with those I love.
Now that we move so often with the military, our family travels often to see our relatives in different states. We’ve traversed the entire east coast from top to bottom–literally.
I want my kids to make those same types of memories. They will remember the feeling of Grandma’s hugs at the front door after a long plane ride, the way their stomachs lurched while riding their first roller coasters with their cousins, and their first mouthwatering taste of arroz con pollo. When all other details fade over time, only the love will remain.
Most recently, we spent a week in San Antonio and had a blast! Here are some simple items we used to make our adventures extra exciting and memorable:
Start off on the right foot.
Here’s my philosophy: Travel is about survival. Just get where you’re going. Screen time rules don’t count on the road (or in the air), snacks are free-for-all. You can always eat an apple later at the hotel. For now, let’s just keep everyone happy. If you ever want to take another vacation, the last thing you want them to remember is the boring car or plane ride. Just get the Kindle (or the Kindle Pro!) You’ll thank me later.
Make it memorable with matching fashion.
A hundred percent worth it, if you ask me. Your family photos during your trip will never look better than with coordinating outfits. Check out this option!
Scavenger hunt anywhere!
This little set from NatGeo is so fun for the whole family. Whether you’re visiting a theme park or a state park, you can make a mission out of finding items from each card. It’s perfect for waiting in long lines, too.
Put it all in a book.
Perhaps my favorite item on this list are these travel journals. I started this tradition when my oldest son was just three years old. I’d asked him to draw a picture of his favorite part of the day after a trip to SeaWorld Orlando. I expected him to attempt to draw some of the animals he’d seen, and instead, he drew a picture of a slushie we’d allowed him to enjoy that afternoon. It was hilarious then, and it still is.
Don’t set rules for your kids’ journaling. Just prompt them to write about their day however they’d like. The things they find most important may surprise you, but that’s how precious memories are made, I promise.
Don’t forget the cameras!
Yes, you’re snapping away on your smart phone, but give your kids some creative freedom to make their own memories. They are able to choose visuals they find most interesting, and can even scrapbook them later. How cool is it to see multiple perspectives from the same trip? It’s amazing what you’ll find on the film roll later.
Mula makes your memories immortal.
I’m really into bracelets right now, and this set is a budget-friendly way to wear your memories on your wrist. Make matching bracelets for the whole family and choose a special charm representing each family trip! Plus, you can create the aesthetic with charms related to your destination—palm trees, anyone?
What are some ways your family collects special memories? Let us know in the comments!
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