Traveling with Grandchildren
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2003-09-17 14:05:00-04:00
You and your grandchildren have decided to take a trip together. Here are some tips to help you plan a trip that you´ll all be talking about for the rest of the year.
Talk with the Parents
Before you begin planning a trip with your grandchildren, there are some things you´ll want to talk over with their parents:
- What kinds of things interest your grandchildren? Do they like history? Science? Sports? Being outside? Knowing your grandchildren´s interests will help you plan a vacation you´ll all love.
- How long should your trip be? If your grandchildren are very young, a day trip or even an overnight might be plenty. Elementary school-aged children are more likely to be able to handle a week´s vacation, and your high schoolers can go for as long as two weeks if you plan together to do things you´ll both really enjoy.
- Ask about daily routines, naptimes, safety needs, medications, bed times, allergies, and food preferences, so you can plan a safe and fun trip. If your younger grandchildren nap every day after lunch, make sure you keep that in mind as you plan daily activities.
- What kind of rules and safety routines will work best? Find out what rules and steps they´ve set up with your grandchildren for getting lost or separated. You might also look into the purchase of inexpensive two-way radios or walkie-talkies so that you can communicate with your grandchildren if you´re separated.
- Make sure your children know what your specific plans are so they can help with packing. If you´re going during the school year, make sure your grandchildren have packed any schoolwork they need to make up. They´ll also want to bring layers of clothing to account for changes in weather while you´re out and about.
Where You Could Go
When you´re getting ready to plan your trip with your grandchildren, do some early research. Gather ideas that you can all choose from. For younger children, a trip to a zoo, aquarium, or museum near where you live might be just the thing. Older children may enjoy an adventure away from home. Check your destinations for child rates and older adult discounts. These deals can help lower the cost of your trip and allow you to do more and different things.
Get Outdoors
The bottom line: Sharing experiences will make your trip one that everyone will remember.
If you´re interested in an outdoor adventure, try a national park. You can watch the Old Faithful Geyser erupt at Yellowstone, raft in the Grand Canyon, hike the Appalachian Trail, explore ancient Native American dwellings at Mesa Verde, or visit a Civil War battlefield.
Discounts at select national parks are available for AARP members. For a list of state parks near where you plan to visit, contact the state´s chamber of commerce or department of tourism.
In the City
If a city trip fits your plans better, there are plenty of options available for your grandchildren´s (and your own) entertainment. Older children might enjoy a trip to the theater, a sports hall of fame or event, or an art museum. Your younger grandchildren may be more excited about a trip to the local zoo, aquarium, or petting farm, or a children´s museum that allows hands-on interaction.
Beaches and Boats
Perhaps you want to take a cruise or a tropical vacation. Keep in mind that doing different things every day will keep your grandchildren more content during your trip, and variety can be hard to come by at a secluded island resort. However, many of the larger cruise lines offer special programs aimed at children where they can play and make friends while you take a break. Special prices on cruises, tours, and transportation are also available for AARP members.
Volunteer and Learn
Explore the idea of a volunteer vacation with your older grandchildren. For example, the American Hiking Society offers volunteer trips where hikers work on trail maintenance part of the day, and spend the rest of the day hiking and enjoying the outdoors.
Some organizations offer worldwide educational adventures specifically for grandparents and grandchildren. Elderhostel has several intergenerational trips with varying age requirements for children. Request a written catalog for a complete list of grandparent/grandchild trips.
While You´re Traveling
- Plan to intersperse high levels of physical activity into your days. If you spend the morning at an art museum, take your grandchildren back to the hotel pool after lunch, or go play in a park. Children need to burn off more energy during the day than you do, so take time out to play.
- Take small games, books, music, toys, and art supplies with you. If you encounter rain or long waits at restaurants or airports, you´ll want to have plenty of things to keep your grandchildren busy.
- Bring some snacks along, too. Healthy snacks like yogurt, or granola bars will keep your grandchildren more energetic than sugary or high-fat foods. And children need to drink a lot of water or juice during the day to stay hydrated. Of course, candy or an ice cream cone here and there are parts of being on vacation, as long as treats are interspersed with healthy snacks and meals.
- Stay flexible. Don´t plan every minute of your trip, so you can allow for spontaneous stops along the way.
- Leave your itinerary and phone numbers along the way with your children so they can contact you, and call them if you change your plans.
Finally, have fun! You and your grandchildren will enjoy your trip more if you all have fun and do things that interest everyone. If you keep an enthusiastic, open mind during your trip, so will they. You´ll all spend the rest of the year talking about where to go on your next visit together.
Travel Links
AARP Benefits and Discounts
AARP members can enjoy savings at select national parks, hotels, transportation providers, and on some cruise lines.
Kids Stay Free Hotel Policies
Many hotels that offer AARP member discounts also have a Children and Grandchildren Stay Free policy. Take advantage of these savings!
The American Hiking Society
This non-profit organization offers volunteer trips for hikers to work on trail maintenance part of the day, and spend the rest of each day hiking and enjoying the outdoors.
The American Zoo and Aquarium Association
This non-profit organization offers a list of zoos and aquariums all over the country.
Elderhostel
This non-profit organization has intergenerational trips with varying age requirements for children. Request a written catalog for a complete list of grandparent and grandchild trips.
Museum Computer Network
Search online for museums in a particular location.
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