Large family trips are often a combination of fun and chaos — the good kind! While a family trip is a fun way to spend time with your Atuk, Nenek, Mak Long, Paksu, and the rest of the family, getting everyone to agree on where to go and what to do can be a pretty daunting task.
Worry not, we’re here to help! Below are six essential travel tips for large families.
Have a trip organiser
The bigger the family, the harder it is to cater to everyone’s likes and dislikes. Hence, a trip organiser is crucial to get everyone on the same page and steer everyone to agree on a decision.
A trip organiser can also delegate tasks to other family members throughout the trip — the Treasurer, the Logistician, the F&B Committee, and others.
Plan far, far ahead
Travelling as a big family can cause a bit of a headache, but planning ahead can take the stress out of the equation. Be sure to think of everyone when planning the trip — where to stay, what to do, and how to get around.
We’d highly recommend planning only one big activity per day. Yes, only one. That’s it. The key is to leave plenty of time for when things go wrong — maybe the weather is gloomy or the traffic is bad — and adopt a “go with the flow” mentality.
Consider a buddy system
You definitely don’t want a grumpy Atuk because he forgot the time the bus is supposed to leave or the lil’ ones having a meltdown because the family needs to leave the park.
Having a buddy system during a family vacation ensures every person in the family is always accounted for. One person can keep track of another or a young child to ensure everyone is always on board.
Plan for meals and snacks
Imagine hangry adults and grumpy kids — no fun! A rule of thumb for family trips is to always plan for meals and snacks.
And, while looking up the much-talked about restaurant, be sure to check their peak hours too. You wouldn’t want long queues, long wait times, and sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with another table!
Pack some medicine
Being in a new environment can make it more likely for someone to get sick, especially young children. It’s always a good idea to pack the medicines you and your family use regularly.
Other items you may want to pack include over-the-counter pain reliever, a small first aid kit, and a hand sanitiser for when clean water and soap are not available.
Enjoy your time together
Just go out there, see the world with your family, and don’t forget to have fun! Things may not go as perfectly as planned, but you will get plenty of new experiences.
Don’t stress too much about not having a picture-perfect family trip. Just remember that you’re creating memories with your family.