Family Vacation or Bust

The United States' Department of Energy informs us that travel continues to grow as an industry and predicts that each year, more and more families will be on the road. It's definitely a trend that won't stop any time soon. And while seeing the sights of our great country can be a fantastic way to educate kids , truth be told, it can also lead to a lot of stress. Luckily, by following some simple tips, parents can survive the annual road trip without shortening their life spans or turning their hair gray.

Beat the Doldrums with Child's Play

Fail to heed this tip, and you'll inevitably hear the words most family road trips invoke, "Are we there yet?" Make it a goal during your next trip to never hear those words uttered even once. Make sure your kids are entertained with some great car games that help to make going to the destination as much fun as being there. Board games (especially magnetic ones), portable video games and American classics such as "I Spy" are sure to keep rambunctious kids occupied, happy, and well-behaved regardless of how long the drive is.

Remember to Stay Clean at Rest Stops

Using rest stops is an inevitable part of family travel. To keep your car from becoming a breeding ground for nasty bacteria you or your kids may pick up from the stop, however, make sure you carry hand sanitizers. Use them liberally to make sure that the germs you may have acquired in the bathrooms don't take hold in your vehicle, or your great family trip may mutate into a family sickness festival. Also, make sure you keep moist wipes around for the occasional spills and accidents in the car during travel.

Savvy Eating


Obviously, you can stop at any rest stop for food -- along with the thousands of other people traveling with you on the road. But roadside dining rarely offers the most economical or healthiest choices. As a smart alternative, keep your family's collective belly full with snacks that they can eat right in the car, such as trail mix, string cheese, fruit roll-ups, bottles of water, and fruit. These easy, convenient snacks are yummy (for them) and healthy (for you).

If you opt to stop instead of keeping food in the car, consider the grocery store instead of the fast food restaurant. There's plenty of healthy fare at low prices, and you'll probably find that it's less crowded than the roadside restaurants catering to travelers. Just by going a few extra miles away from exits, you'll open up your gustatory possibilities without expanding your waistline.

Keep Everyone Happy

Pick a destination that has fun activities for everyone in the group - regardless of their age. Yes, it's definitely a temptation to head for the place that the kids will love, but smart families make sure there's something for mom, dad and grandma to do as well. Some top family vacation spots that offer something for all ages include Orlando, FL, Anaheim, CA, Williamsburg, VA, Hershey, PA and Yellowstone National Park.

A Surprise Ending

Make sure that the good memories are what stick! Create custom postcards made of the best family photos you take from your adventure. When you all return home to find them greeting you in the mailbox, the custom postcards will firmly enshrine the good parts of the trip in your collective memory and make you glad you survived!

A chaotic disaster? Or an unforgettable bonding time? Family vacations have been known to produce both. But with a little strategic planning, you can make sure that your next trip is the latter.