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There’s nothing better for making lasting family memories than enjoying an exciting and adventurous vacation together. Mom’s know that making a vacation perfect takes more than just booking your accommodations and hitting the road. There are a lot of details and planning that go into the process.

Traveling with your kids can definitely be a challenge. But, it’s also a great opportunity to teach them about the mysteries of the world, the diversity of different cultures, and give them a sense of adventure and independence.

Planning a vacation for your family should not be something that is done on the fly. From using a guide on personal expenses to help plan your budget, to booking early to take advantage of travel discounts; there is plenty to do to get ready. Let’s take a look at the five key steps to planning the perfect family vacation.

Set Your Budget

Planning for your vacation budget should go beyond the expenses of your travel and accommodations. It’s a good idea to sit down and take a look at everything that you will be spending money on before you set your budget. Remember to include items like meals, entertainment, souvenirs, admissions fees and taxes into your final tally.

Make It A Family Decision

Before you start planning you will need to choose a destination. Your family vacation should be a place that everyone can get excited about. Start by asking each of your family members for their ideas and input regarding a destination.

Make a list of your top choices. Take a bit of time to research each one of the family destination choices so that you have more information to share with the whole family. Once you have a better idea of what is involved in each destination, it’s often easier to start narrowing down your choices.

Flexible Itinerary

Your vacation should be about having fun and taking some time to relax. Don’t make the mistake of packing your schedule with too many activities. A busy schedule can make for a long day, which can be too much for smaller children. Leave room for some quieter family time and keep your schedule flexible enough to fit in some spontaneous adventures.

Book Early

When planning your vacation it’s important to start early. Not only will this give you enough time to research your destination but it can save you money. Plane fares and hotel accommodations are often cheaper when you book in advance.

Make sure to review all of your cancellation policies before you book in case you have a change of plans. It’s also a good idea to call and confirm all of your reservations about a week before you leave to make sure that everything is in order.

Create A To-Do List

There are a ton of small details that need to be taken care of when planning a family vacation. One of the best ways to stay on track is to create a simple to-do list that you can refer to as you complete each task. Make sure to include items like:

Flight numbers and times

Hotel address and phone numbers

Renewing passports and update all IDs

Arrange for a pet sitter

Arrange for mail pickup

Take out travel insurance

Check credit cards

The best family vacations don’t just happen. They take time to organize properly to ensure that you have the best time possible. You can never plan for everything but, if you follow these tips, you and your family will be on your way to enjoying the perfect family vacation that you will remember forever.