A family vacation is something you can look forward to every year. It’s a chance to relax, unwind and spend quality time with your loved ones in a fun and stress-free environment. Going on vacation with your family is also a chance to reset and re-energize yourself and your mind with your family by your side.
This year, a family vacation might look a little bit different, but it can definitely still include all the best parts of a family getaway. Plus, with travel restrictions being lifted and safe travel becoming easier to manage, it’s the perfect time to plan for a summer trip with the whole family.
Having said that, it’s also important to remain safe while traveling and plan more than you normally would. When planning a vacation with your family this year, be sure to travel safely and prepare your family for a different kind of vacation. Here’s what you should keep in mind when planning a COVID-safe family vacation this year.
Source: Rido/Shutterstock.com
Prepare Your Kids: Above all, you want to ensure your children are safe while on vacation with you. Part of this means making sure they understand this year’s vacation might not look quite the same as previous trips with the family. Whatever vacation you choose for your family, get your kids excited about all the fun activities you will all do together on your trip. Make sure they know it’s supposed to be fun!
You also want to make it clear, just like at school or in any public place, there are certain precautions they must take when there are other people around. Be sure to let them know they still have to wear a mask while on vacation and wash their hands frequently.
You’ll also want to make it known to younger vacationers that they will be going to a new place and they’ll be around a lot of new people. In these situations, it’s easy to get distracted from safety-minded precautions. Remind them to have fun, but also to stay aware of social distancing and practicing healthy habits.
Pack a Safety Bag: You can never be too prepared, but a COVID essentials travel bag will get you pretty close. Before you leave for your family vacation, make sure you’re stocked up on essentials like masks for kids and adults, hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes, gloves and extra hand soap. You don’t want to be caught without any of these while traveling!
For clothing and other items, think about packing clothes that are easy to keep clean. When packing for your children, think about shirts and jackets that will allow them to wash their hands with ease and minimize restriction. Make sure to keep tech wipes or sprays on hand for cleaning screens, earphones, chargers and other powered travel items. Keep items that come in contact with your skin or face — like eye masks, jewelry and sunglasses — in separate bags to minimize contact with other items while traveling.
Source: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com
Consider a Distanced Vacation: Now is the perfect time to book a less-crowded vacation where you and your family can safely and happily enjoy yourselves. There are plenty of options when it comes to a distanced vacation, and some ideas include a family RV trip, tour of one of more of the nation’s national parks, a camping getaway or a stay at a large resort.
When planning a vacation with your family, remain safe by creating an outdoor-minded theme within your chosen activities. Right now is the perfect time for a summer beach trip, and there are so many options to choose from. Consider the beautiful beaches of the South Carolina Lowcountry, including Charleston-oriented Kiawah Island or Folly Beach off of James Island. The beaches of South Carolina are clean, beautiful and generally a bit less crowded than most Florida beaches.
Go For a Staycation: If you want to keep things close to home, plan a special vacation right in your backyard! You don’t need to travel far to make amazing, lasting memories with your family. A staycation can still feel like a getaway, even if it’s technically close to home. Try something new with your family you might not normally do on a regular weekend. Rent a house, have a movie or theme night, try a fun new restaurant or even let the kids surprise you with their own pick. You can still get that special vacation feeling while staying close to home.
Source: BalanceFormCreative/Shutterstock.com
Plan It All in Advance: Even without a pandemic, it’s important to have a vacation itinerary for you and your family. Now that some travel is still restricted and many places are reopening at limited capacity, it is crucial to plan just about everything before you depart. Travel reservations should be made far in advance to ensure you get the flights, accommodations and car rentals you desire before they fill up.
If you plan on staying at a hotel, make sure to go over their safety precautions and rules. For a stress-free stay, check out private vacation homes for rent. Consider a coastal getaway and browse available Charleston, SC rentals for the perfect beach-to-city getaway.
Don’t count on getting a table on a walk-in basis while on vacation, especially with larger groups. It’s important to make every restaurant reservation possible prior to your trip due to limited capacity in most restaurants. No one wants to go hungry!
Last, think about which activities you would like to reserve for your trip. Tours, events and other vacation fun can usually be pre-booked, so do your research and see what you can reserve ahead of time. With everything packed, planned and ready, you’ll be off on your family trip without a worry and ready to switch to vacation mode.
