Planning Age-Appropriate Vacations for Your Enjoyment and Sanity

We’ve all done it or been the kid it’s been done to: the toddler on a guided tour of Bhutan, the teenager in the internet-less village in Montana, and of course, the 5 year old at the Louvre. Guaranteed pain for all involved.

Family vacations can be extremely fun if you spend a little time thinking about what would be the most engaging for your kids at the stage they are in, and what would be the lowest maintenance for you. Here’s a break down of the recommended vacations by age group:

Best Vacations for 3 to 12 month old babies (The Snoozers)

At this age you will find that babies are pretty cooperative and the fear factor that comes with traveling with this age is largely due to unfamiliarity with the process. Many parents will look back in hindsight and say that the pre-walking stage is the easiest time to travel. Babies sleep a lot and can be schlepped around in a baby carrier, they don’t need a lot of moving space and could be content with a few toys in the pram or just looking around. They are typically still being breast or formula fed or on very basic and easily accessed foods such as bananas and rice cereal. They have no real will and eating and changing are their only real requirements.

Therefore, at this age it is great to do holidays that involve adult sight-seeing, culture and history, with lots of walking around opportunities. The baby can be rocked to sleep in the carrier or take in the sights from her pram. You can take her around all day, make it home in the evening for the bath and sleep ritual, and potentially even get out to dinner while she sleeps in her bassinet.

Location Example: Europe

Recommended Accommodation: Apartments/Condos/Villas/Cottages for washing/sterilizing if needed. Otherwise hotels are perfectly doable.

Best Vacations for 12 to 36 month old toddlers (The Movers)

This is probably the toughest age for travel. Kids have the attention span of a fly, the finesse of a bull, and a complete disregard for social etiquette. At this stage the critters need to be in spaces they can move around in without breaking anything and where there is enough distance between you and other people to avoid embarrassment and constant apologies. At the same time, the area needs to somewhat contained so that they are never out of your sight. They are also restricted eaters and familiar meals are a preferred option. Finally, they need to stick to their schedules (nap times) so you best not have one at all. Sun or snow baby?

Locations Example: Hawaii, Switzerland, Tahoe, Bali

Recommended Accommodations: Apartments/Condos/Villas/Cottages

Best Vacations for 3 to 8 year old kids (The Zero Tolerance Age):

At this stage kids are a lot easier to travel with as they can carry some of their own stuff (and pack it too, if you’re lucky), and keep themselves entertained a bit longer. That being said, they have no patience for things that don’t interest them and would probably spend an afternoon at a museum chanting “Can we leave now?” at 2-minute intervals.

The best vacation for these kids who can sustain full-day activities is theme parks and places catering completely to them. You start the day early and make it home after dinner time. By then they are so flaked out, you’ll hear not a peep and everyone will self-tuck in time for you to get a babysitter or enjoy a glass of wine with the adults.

Locations Example: Disney World, Gold Coast Australia, Las Vegas

Recommended Accommodations: Family Resorts where kids under 12 eat free!

Best Vacations for 8 to 12 year old kids (The Curious Cats):

And it just gets easier. Kids this age love to explore and learn and are likely yearning for the approval of at least one parent. It’s best to take them sightseeing to countries with big, impressive structures they can marvel at or better still, walk over, but don’t have to get sucked into all the historical detail. They may not be the most adventurous with food, so this is a good time to start easing them into experimentation with different cultures.

Locations Example: Rome, Greece, Egypt, New Zealand

Recommended Accommodations: Apartments/Condos or hotels with adjoining rooms.

Best Vacations for 12 to 18 year old kids (The Young Adults):

It’s probably best to give kids at this age the opportunity to influence your trip. Else you will end up with your son lost to his iPod and your daughter using your roaming cell phone to update her fb status: “OMG Can’t believe they brought me here, kill me now”.
Kids these days are much more global in their outlook and would be open to “exotic” places their friends would find cool. Of course, they may think they are too cool for family vacations too but if you remind them that you won’t be footing their travel bills for much longer they may be inclined to come along with a smile

Locations Example: China, Cambodia, India

Recommended Accommodations: Boutique hotels and everyone gets their own rooms please.

And finally,

Best Vacation for Empty Nesters (You @kids>18 years):

Anywhere they don’t accept children under the age of 15! You deserve it! Check out our awesome list of adult-only destinations for some inspiration.