The Ultimate Guide to Plan a Vacation with Kids and Pets

A vacation is the time of the year when you get to relax and unwind, away from all troubles of the world. Most of us save throughout the year to enjoy the time to ourselves- I even had a list of holiday destinations that I wanted to explore and adventures that I wanted to experience but as I became a parent and the number of responsibilities began to increase my priorities changed. Now with four babies (including two four-legged ones) when I plan a getaway, there are multiple factors that I need to consider to have a fun family holiday where both me, my husband, kids and our fur-babies can enjoy. If you are a stressed-out parent like me, here are some useful tips to plan the ultimate vacation:

Decide a Destination

You know when you step out with kids and dogs, things won’t necessarily turn out the way you plan. There will be circumstances that will have you make changes, but that’s the beauty of a good plan; it always has room for modifications and variations. It is essential to begin planning and prepping quite early, and the first thing you need to do is decide a destination. There are several options to decide from but make sure you choose a place that has something to offer for everyone. Look for places where you can keep the kids occupied, where you will be able to find kid-friendly food and where your pooch can be a part of your outings.

Look for an All-Inclusive Accommodation

Once you have finalized the destinations, begin researching for the kind of hotels and resorts available for booking. This one might be a bit tough at a few destinations, but many hotels all over the world now cater to dogs and are family-friendly with the availability of a variety of services. It would be best if you can find a place that has supervised children clubs and dog-walkers available so you can have some time to yourself without worrying about the kids but these might be a bit on the expensive side. However, if you want to get some good deals, look at online booking websites and get yourself an accommodation reserved in advance.

What Supplies Will You Need to Buy?

It’s a pain to travel with lots of luggage; I loved having a single backpack while traveling but with your dogs and kids you can’t afford to miss essential supplies that you may need later since many of these might not be available at the destination you’re heading to or maybe quite expensive. It is best to create a checklist of essential items such as food and drinks, the healthy treats your pup loves, first-aid items, extra diapers, water bottles, etc.

Decide the Mode of Travel

You can either choose to travel via air or plan a road trip. Both have their respective set of troubles and challenges, for instance, it is hard to keep kids calm during long flights and long drives as well, but with the correct strategies and hacks you can make any of the two options work. If you and your pooch will be traveling by air, check on the requirements for the specific destination and search for pet-friendly airlines. Since most airlines allow a limited number of pets on board, get your tickets reserved beforehand. Get lots of toys and mentally stimulating games to keep your kids busy during the flight. If you would like a bit more adventure, then get your dogs and kids together and hit the road.

AUTHOR BIO:

Jenny Perkins is an Animal Behavior Specialist and a passionate writer. She loves to write about the nutrition, health, and care of dogs. She aims at providing tips to dog owners that can help them become better pet parents. She writes for the blog Here Pup.