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Making Flights Fly By: Essential Tips for Traveling with Kids Flying can be an incredibly convenient way to get from place to place, but when you’re traveling with kids, a little preparation goes a long way! Our children started flying at a young age, so the airplane itself isn’t a problem for them. However, even for seasoned little travelers, the hours can get long and restlessness can set in (for everyone!). We’ve got some fun ideas to help those long flights really fly by. Power Up Your Devices! Always charge your electronics before you leave! While many planes now come equipped with outlets, you don’t want to be caught off guard by a plane that doesn’t have them, or worse, a non-functional one. For shorter flights, most devices will last a couple of hours. And let’s be honest: while we don’t love excessive screen time for kids, on a long-haul flight, you do what you need to do to maintain peace for everyone’s sake! Headphone Harmony Bring headphones or earbuds your child has worn before and is comfortable with. We learned this the hard way on our first long flight to Hawaii. We packed headphones we thought would be fine, but our youngest disliked them and refused to wear them. And trust us, you absolutely do not want to be “that person” subjecting the entire airplane to an endearing but potentially annoying kids’ show for hours on end! Pack Engaging Activities (Smartly!) Curate a selection of activities specifically for the flight. Crayons can be tricky for younger kids; if your little ones are anything like ours, those crayons will inevitably drop and roll into other passengers’ space within moments. If your children are older and can manage not to drop them, coloring can be a good option. For a mess-free alternative, we love sticker-by-number books. They’re similar to paint-by-number but use stickers, which means no mess! Just be sure to supervise if you have a little one who likes to stick them in places other than the book. Even at 8 and 10, our kids still ask for these on every flight! Other excellent choices include reading books (our kids love getting a new book especially for the flight!). “Magic marker” books are also fantastic, as they use just one marker and are designed not to mark on other surfaces. The All-Important Snack Stash Always pack a snack or two (or five!). Long flights invariably mean hungry kids. Let’s be honest, airplane food isn’t exactly gourmet for adults, and our kids often turn their noses up at what the plane offers – they don’t even like the pretzels! Having a few readily available snacks keeps everyone happy. Remember to check TSA rules regarding liquids, and be aware that rules for bringing fruits and vegetables can vary depending on your destination. However, packaged food items like crackers, cookies, and fruit snacks are usually a safe bet, easy to pack, and make for yummy, kid-approved treats. Pro Tip: You might want to consider rationing these, as if your kids are like ours, they’ll be gone in the first 20 minutes! While long flights with kids might seem daunting, a little foresight and the right tools can truly transform the experience. By arming yourselves with entertainment and sustenance, you can minimize meltdowns and maximize smiles, ensuring everyone arrives ready for adventure. So, charge up, pack smart, and get ready to conquer those hours in the air. Here’s to smooth flights and happy memories from takeoff to touchdown! What are your best flight tips? Please share below!

Outer Banks Eats: Our Top 6 Go-To Restaurants We’ve been to the Outer Banks in North Carolina more times than we can count. As an easy and short drive from Virginia, it’s become a beloved getaway for us. Over the years, we’ve explored many of the area’s dining options, and we definitely have our preferences. While we haven’t been everywhere, we’ve experienced enough places to know what we like and where to avoid. Having just returned from another trip, we’re excited to share some of our favorite food spots. Here are our top five choices for dining in the Outer Banks. 1. Miller’s Seafood and Steakhouse (Beach Road Location) This one can be a little tricky because there are actually two Miller’s restaurants in the Outer Banks, and they aren’t affiliated. While both are good, we highly recommend the one on the beach road! This location offers incredibly fresh seafood, but also has delicious “land-based” options if you’re in the mood for something different. What truly sets them apart is their exceptional allergy-friendliness. Simply inform your server of any dietary needs, and they will go above and beyond to try to accommodate you. We have a family member with very strict dietary requirements, and they handle our requests without hesitation. Their crabcake is outstanding, and the filet is equally impressive. Miller’s leans towards the nicer side for Outer Banks dining, though you’ll see a range of attire. We typically opt for nice shorts and shirts or a casual dress. They do serve breakfast that looks like an amazing menu, but we haven’t personally tried it yet. It’s an excellent choice for a memorable dinner! 2. Blue Moon Beach Grill Blue Moon has been a staple for our family since their original location. They moved a couple of years ago into a beautiful new building with significantly more space. They boast fantastic seafood options and a good kids’ menu. The restaurant can get a bit noisy, but with kids, that’s often a good thing! Aside from swimwear, you can comfortably wear whatever you like. They also have a fun backyard area with games, perfect for keeping the whole family entertained while you wait for a table. We’ve consistently enjoyed delicious meals at Blue Moon. 3. Mama Kwan’s Tiki Bar & Grill We absolutely love Mama Kwan’s for both lunch and dinner! They offer unique dishes with a delightful Hawaiian-inspired flavor profile, though you’ll also find influences from Jamaican and Asian cuisines. Their fish tacos are absolutely incredible! They also serve up some fun adult beverages. Pro Tip: This spot gets very busy, and the restaurant is fairly small, so arrive early to beat the crowds! 4. Hurricane Mo’s Restaurant & Bar Hurricane Mo’s is always a reliable standby for us, perfect for both lunch and dinner. Our family particularly loves their blackened tuna bites with jalapeño tartar sauce for an appetizer. But our absolute favorite item on their menu has to be the peanut butter pie! This is a really casual, family-friendly restaurant. 5. Stack ‘Em High Pancakes & So Forth We had to include a breakfast option! We don’t often go out for breakfast because we prioritize getting to the beach early, but every year, we make a point of visiting this delicious pancake house. It’s a counter-service style where you order in line, and then they assign you a table. The wait for this popular spot can be lengthy in the mornings, so if you want to avoid a long line, go early! The pancakes are undoubtedly the star of their menu. Our family’s favorites include the Chocolate Monkey (chocolate chips and banana) and the Crunchy Monkey (banana and pecans). They have two locations and they’ve been a beloved Outer Banks institution for over 40 years, and it’s easy to see why. Bonus: Dessert! The Outer Banks boasts many notable ice cream options. Our top pick is The Surfin’ Spoon! Located on the beach road, they offer self-serve frozen yogurt, gelato, almond milk flavors, and sorbet with a wide variety of toppings. They are especially known for their allergy-friendly options, including numerous non-dairy choices. We love their rotating flavors, but a special treat is their “Sammies” – two cookies with ice cream sandwiched between. They offer different options, including vegan and gluten-free, but you truly can’t go wrong with the classic: two chocolate chip cookies with vanilla ice cream. Plus, customers stash money in all the nooks and crevices of their shop, which the Surfin’ Spoon donates to charity supporting children with autism. There are countless fantastic dining options in the Outer Banks, but these are some of our personal favorites! Each time we visit, we try to discover a new culinary gem, yet we always find ourselves returning to these tried-and-true favorites. We hope you enjoy them, and if you have a “can’t-miss” restaurant from the Outer Banks, North Carolina, please let us know in the comments below!

From Drive-Thru to Dream Trips: The Unexpected Beginning of Our Rewards Journey One day, sitting in the drive-thru at our local bank, a thought dawned on me: maybe I was doing this all wrong. Our long-time bank was offering a now defunct credit card that offered an enticing 3x points on travel (including gas), dining, and streaming. The ads plastered across the drive-thru window had definitely caught my eye.For years, I had been using the same basic credit card I’d obtained in college. While I enjoyed an outstanding interest rate, I was earning absolutely nothing in return for my purchases. Around that time, our family had recently returned from a trip to Hawaii, and we desperately wanted to go back. Looking at those airline ticket prices, I knew that another family trip there wasn’t likely in the near future if we paid cash. That’s when I began to wonder: could this new credit card be a way to get back to Hawaii without breaking the bank? Once I got home, I immediately applied for what was then known as the Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card. I put every single charge I could on that card! My eyes had not yet been fully opened to the vast possibilities in the Points and Miles world. Soon after, we discovered that my wife was using a credit card from that very same bank, and it had been quietly accruing points over the years. She didn’t know much about credit card rewards and had been letting the points expire – a common pitfall for beginners! I decided to dig a little deeper and discovered that her card, the now-discontinued Wells Fargo Visa Signature® Card, actually worked synergistically with my new Propel card. Not only did her card earn 1 point per dollar on all spend, but it also allowed for a 1.5x redemption rate on flights booked through the Wells Fargo travel portal. I immediately added her as an authorized user to my Propel card, making it our primary card for all daily spending. I would then transfer my Propel points to her account, and she would use her Visa Signature card’s enhanced redemption to purchase our flights. This card combination, surprisingly simple, got our family back to Hawaii for free, and then some! This was all before I understood the power of massive sign-up bonuses, transfer bonuses, airline and hotel transfer partners, truly transferable currencies, statement credits, or shopping portals. Now, we’re earning points at a much faster clip and are able to pursue “aspirational travel” more often – those dream trips that might otherwise be out of reach financially. Even though this specific credit card pair is no longer offered, countless other fantastic options exist for maximizing your rewards. We’re eager to share our latest travel experiences and demonstrate the powerful points and miles strategies we’re using. Keep an eye out for our upcoming posts!

Hilton Head: Our Go-To for a Relaxing Family Road Trip Memorial Day weekend is a perfect time for our family to slip away. With the boys out of school for at least a three-day weekend (sometimes four, depending on snow days!), we can travel without them missing much, if any, school. This year, we craved a relaxing, beachy destination with excellent food options. Hilton Head, South Carolina immediately came to mind as a fantastic weekend escape! This wasn’t our first visit, but we still had a wonderful time and are already looking forward to our next trip. We’re excited to share some highlights from our adventure. For a more in-depth look and our full itinerary, be sure to join our newsletter! Our Stay at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort We drove to Hilton Head, splitting the journey the evening before, so we could arrive around noon. For this trip, we stayed at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort, using our Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points, which meant no cost for the accommodation. We booked a two-bedroom unit and were thrilled to invite some longtime friends to join us. We had requested a room near the pool, and while it wasn’t ready at noon, it was still early! We decided to grab some lunch, and our room was actually ready for us before 1 PM. The resort itself is lovely. The main building, The Live Oak Lodge, houses some standard studio rooms. The lobby is incredibly inviting, reminiscent of an upscale cabin in the woods. We loved the charming, old-time key holder behind the front desk – a nostalgic touch, even though they no longer use physical keys. Across from the front desk is a cozy seating area with a hanging swing, couches, and lounge chairs. In the mornings, you can enjoy complimentary coffee here, and in the afternoons, there are delicious cookies. The staff at Disney’s Hilton Head Resort were incredibly friendly and welcoming. They offered great restaurant recommendations, gave us a quick overview of the resort, and confirmed our pool-side room request. Our key cards were provided immediately, though not yet activated. A helpful tip for Disney resorts: key cards (and MagicBands) can be set up with charging privileges, which is very convenient, but something to note if you have kids! We opted not to enable charging for our children’s cards this time. The best part? Once our room was ready, we simply received a text with our room number and could head straight there without another stop at the front desk. Navigating the Resort The resort is a bit spread out, so it’s a good idea to glance at the map upon arrival. It features several buildings offering a variety of studio, one, two, and three-bedroom units. Our two-bedroom unit was in a building with a total of four two-bedroom units – two on the first floor and two on the second. This year, we had a first-floor room; last year, we were in the same building but on the second floor. I don’t have a strong preference between the floors, but it’s worth noting: on the first floor, you might hear people running or jumping above you. Second-floor rooms mean more stairs. While some buildings do have elevators, they aren’t common, and I wouldn’t count on elevator access unless specifically confirmed. If climbing stairs is an issue, definitely contact the resort before booking, as even first-floor rooms have a few steps to enter. Soaking Up Some Sun: Pool & Beach Fun Our trip was all about relaxation, meaning plenty of pool and beach time! We were incredibly lucky, as our room was right behind the main pool, offering a view and a very short walk. The main pool boasts a fun water slide that both our kids absolutely loved. It’s not massive, and we saw many smaller children enjoying it without a problem. The pool water was warm, and there was ample seating. Adjacent to the pool is another building housing an activity area, a resort store, and a small, window-service restaurant called Tide Me Over, serving breakfast and lunch. There was also a very small cart offering adult beverages. Important to note: there’s no on-site restaurant for dinner. Disney’s Hilton Head Resort is unique in that it doesn’t have direct beach access. However, they have a fantastic, separate Beach House just a short drive away, exclusively for resort guests (requiring your key card for access). If you didn’t drive, it’s no problem. The resort offers complimentary shuttle service that runs throughout the day. You simply get on right in front of the resort and the drop you off directly in front of the Beach House. At the Beach House, you’ll find a second pool, shaped like an “H,” and another window-service restaurant, Signals, offering essentially the same food and drink menu as Tide Me Over. Beach access is readily available from here. It’s a fairly quick walk over the sand dune, made even easier by a mat that extends across the dune, opening right onto the beach. Since we drove, we brought our own beach gear, including chairs, umbrellas, and, of course, beach toys. Our beach wagon was invaluable for lugging everything! If you didn’t drive or just didn’t want to pack all the beach gear, there are chairs and umbrellas available to rent. The Hilton Head beach itself is beautiful. The sand is quite packed in many areas, making it easier to walk on, and during our visit, the water was very shallow. At low tide, little tide pools formed, perfect for even small children, as the water is only a few inches deep and separated from the ocean because of the low tide. There weren’t many big waves, so the kids could swim and play without us needing to hold onto them constantly. The ocean water was also surprisingly warm. For added peace of mind, there’s a lifeguard on duty during the day. Taste of Hilton Head: Where We Ate (and Loved!) Hilton Head

Don’t Forget to Pack… Beyond the Basics for Every Age! When it comes to packing for a family trip, kids of different ages definitely need different things in their suitcase. If you’ve ever traveled with infants, you already know the universal truth: it seems the smaller they are, the more stuff they need! But really, all kids have specific items they need to help make the trip easier and more enjoyable. We’re here to share some top items to consider packing for various age groups, going beyond your typical clothing and toiletries. 0-2 Years: The Essentials for Tiny Travelers This stage is arguably the most challenging to pack for due to the sheer volume of necessities. If you’re driving or have easy access to a car, you might get away with leaving a few things behind, but even then, the list is extensive! Diapers: Honestly, we often dedicated one carry-on-sized suitcase just for diapers! Consider how many you’ll need for travel days and the first day or two, then plan to buy more at your destination if possible. If not, make sure to pack more than you think you’ll need for your trip. Bonus: once the diaper suitcase is empty, you can use it for any souvenirs you buy! Baby Food & Feeding Supplies: This includes purees, cereals, bottles, sippy cups, and any specialized spoons or bibs. If you’re breastfeeding, don’t forget your own supplies like a pump or nursing cover. Portable Changing Pad: While you likely have one in your diaper bag, having a dedicated travel changing pad ensures you always have a clean, safe surface, especially in unfamiliar places where you might not want to lay baby down directly. If you know, you know! Extra Clothes (Lots!): Unless you have guaranteed, easy access to laundry facilities, pack more outfits than you think you’ll need. We once had an ill-fated trip to Washington D.C. where one of our kids went through five outfits in less than a day due to various spills and blowouts! Children’s Medicine (The Ultimate Lifesaver): Pack baby Tylenol and Motrin (check with your pediatrician for appropriate ages/dosages). Not every store carries these, and you may not have easy access to a pharmacy while traveling. If baby has a fever, sprouts a tooth, or gets an ear infection on the road, having this on hand can be a lifesaver for the whole family! (This is actually a critical item for every age group, so keep it in mind for all your future trips.) 3-5 Years: Navigating Potty Training & Comfort Packing starts to get a bit easier at this stage! As kids grow, they don’t need all the same things they did as babies, but there are still some special considerations. Extra Clothes (Still!): This is often the age of potty training, and even once kids are trained, traveling can disrupt routines, introduce new foods, and lead to unexpected accidents. We definitely had to make an emergency stop on the way home from a road trip after someone got sick in the car and we didn’t have enough spare clothes! Favorite Stuffed Animal/Blanket: Young children often have that special lovey they’re attached to. While it might seem easier to leave it home, sleeping in a strange place can be scary for some kids. Familiar comfort items can make bedtime much smoother. Our kids actually chose one stuffed animal as their “traveling buddy” and always brought their regular sleep lovey during trips at this age. Snacks (Crucial for Keeping Hangry Away!): No one likes a hangry three-year-old – including the hangry three-year-old! Going to new places can mean new foods, and while we absolutely encourage our kids to try new things, we always have one who is much more adventurous than the other. Having familiar, comforting snacks on hand is a good idea to bridge hunger gaps and ease transitions. 6-10 Years: Emerging Independence Children in this age group are beginning to become more independent but still rely on you quite a bit. Our kids are in this age group now, and they can entertain themselves more, tolerate a little boredom, and articulate their needs. However, they still need our help with certain things. They’ve started packing their own suitcases, but we still do a final check to ensure they haven’t forgotten anything and have enough clothes. Activities (Variety is Key): While they can manage some independent play, they still get bored during travel time (don’t we all!). Having a variety of engaging options (books, puzzle books, small craft kits, travel games) makes the journey go faster and helps reduce device time. Of course, devices still come in handy for long road or airplane trips. Chargers (All the Chargers!): Yes, at this age, we’ve reached the point where you need to bring not just your chargers, but all the chargers for all the devices, and then some more! It feels like there are never enough outlets or charging cords, so grab what you need and consider bringing an extra one for shared devices or emergencies. 11-15 Years: The Rise of Responsibility By this age, most kids should be able to do the majority of their own packing. But a few reminders never hurt! Headphones/Earbuds: With more time spent on personal devices, this means more music, videos, and gaming and more sounds coming from devices. Ensuring your pre-teen/teen has their own comfortable headphones or earbuds can save everyone’s sanity by preventing unwanted noise bleed. This is especially important on airplanes but even in the car, it can make everyone’s trip better. Portable Power Bank: While chargers are important for at-home charging, a portable power bank is essential for teens who heavily use their devices. This can ensure their phone or tablet never dies, especially as they gain more independence and might be exploring nearby without you. 16+ Years: Embracing Adulthood on the Road As children near adulthood, their travel needs align even more with adults, but with a few key considerations. Government-Issued ID (Driver’s License/State ID): As

Baby on Board: Tips for Stress-Free Family Road Trips Traveling with an infant can lead to such wonderful memories, but it often comes with its share of surprises. Sometimes unexpected challenges can arise, and if you’re unprepared, a fun trip can quickly become overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be that way! We’re here to share some tips and tricks to help you prepare for those unpredictable moments during a road trip, and hopefully get you back on the road with minimal stress for the entire family. Understanding Your Baby’s Rhythm First, it’s important to remember that every baby is different. We were lucky that our kids were pretty easygoing, especially with their schedules. I know many families, however, live and breathe by their child’s schedule, particularly when they’re very young. Whether your little one needs to nap at precisely 1:00PM or can “go with the flow” a bit more, keeping their schedule in mind is crucial. Try to plan your stops so they align better with important nap times. You might also want to invest in a good sunshade to keep the sun out of your baby’s eyes and they can snooze while you drive! Strategizing Meal Times Infant feeding schedules are incredibly important. When our youngest was just 10 weeks old, we took a road trip to Orlando. He was exclusively breastfeeding, and we obviously weren’t comfortable trying to feed him while driving. So, we planned to stop every two hours. This allowed our youngest to stick to his feeding schedule, and our oldest (who was only 2 year old) got to stretch his legs and burn off some energy. There might have even been some ice cream during at least one of those stops! This strategy for eating benefits the whole family, not just the baby. Fueling the Whole Crew Speaking of eating, the entire family benefits from regular food stops! When you’re driving in an unfamiliar area, you might unexpectedly find yourself in the middle of nowhere with limited food options. While we don’t meticulously plan every stop, we do try to keep in mind how populated an area might be. More populated areas generally mean more food choices. If you know you’re heading into a fairly isolated stretch, make sure to stop and refuel – or at least grab some snacks for later. It never hurts to keep a few emergency snacks in the car too! Embrace Your Silly Side Sometimes, you just need to embrace your silly side. We were driving through Pennsylvania, near Lancaster, with our oldest when he was about nine months old. He was usually great in the car, but for some reason, on this particular trip, he was just done. Unfortunately, we weren’t even close to our destination. We had stopped and moved around, but it wasn’t enough. Probably out of desperation, we started singing “Old MacDonald.” Making funny animal sounds was the only thing that made him laugh. We’d sing and pick animals, and he’d giggle. When we stopped singing, the crying resumed, so we probably sang that song for over an hour. But it made everyone happier, and honestly, it’s a fond memory we still talk about almost a decade later. The Power of Novel Toys Always keep a variety of toys with you. I used to keep a handful of toys in the diaper bag and another handful in the car. These were toys the kids only really saw when we were out, keeping them novel and exciting. The toys weren’t particularly special – rattles, soft crinkle books, and mirror toys, for example – but because they were new, they were interesting. Also, we could rotate them. That way, when they got tired of one toy, we had another ready. Of course, if your child has that one special toy – make sure to bring it too! And here’s a pro parenting tip: if your child has a beloved comfort toy, buy two and keep one tucked away, just in case! There’s nothing worse than losing a favorite snuggly friend on the road! Flexibility is Key While no road trip is likely to be perfect, a little planning and a lot of flexibility are the keys to success. Young children need breaks but can’t always articulate that. Follow their lead. If they get fussy, maybe it’s time for everyone to take a few minutes to stretch. When they’re happily sleeping, press on! Be responsive to their needs and know that you will reach your destination creating wonderful family memories along the way. Do you have any additional tips for traveling with baby? Please share in the comments below.

Adventure Awaits: How Your Family Can Choose Your Next Destination Picking a family vacation destination can be tricky. Everyone might have their own ideas – or, perhaps even worse, no one has any ideas at all! But don’t worry, we’ve got a fun game you can play with your family to start narrowing down where to go. Step 1: Brainstorming Your Dream Destinations (No Filters!) Start with Question 1 and make as big of a list as you can. No idea is off the table, and absolutely no one gets to criticize any suggestions! Remember, you’re not making a decision yet, just gathering possibilities. Some of our favorite trips have been the ones we didn’t necessarily set out to take! 1. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Step 2: Prioritizing Your Possibilities – The Reality Check Now that you have a fantastic list, it’s time to start narrowing it down. The following questions will help you prioritize your destinations. It’s still good to keep an open mind here; sometimes what you think is a barrier (even cost!) might not be as difficult to overcome as you imagine. Deals pop up, or perhaps those credit card miles can be leveraged with an awesome transfer partner! However, when traveling with your family, there are definitely some practical considerations. 2. How long do we have to travel? When you have more time, you usually have greater flexibility in your destination choice. Dreaming of an Australian adventure? From where we live, it’s a two-day flight! If we only have a long weekend, Australia probably won’t work for this trip. Similarly, while you might long for a day at the beach, do you enjoy the beach enough to comfortably spend an entire week there? 3. Are our travel dates flexible? This is a huge factor for affordability. When our kids were in preschool, we had much more flexibility as we didn’t have to worry about school breaks. This allowed us to travel during off-peak times, which significantly reduced costs. For example, starting your trip on Labor Day instead of before reduces costs immensely. Even with the kids in school now, sometimes shifting your trip by just a day or two can make a big difference in travel expenses. 4. Do we have the required documents (passports, visas), or enough time to get them? If you don’t have a passport yet and are even thinking about traveling internationally (even just to Canada or the Caribbean!), go get your passport! U.S. Passports are valid for ten years for adults and five for kids. Getting them all at the same time can also help you remember when they expire. Routine passport processing times in the U.S. typically range from 4-6 weeks, but we’ve experienced everything from a couple of weeks to much longer. For the most current information, always check the official source: https://travel.state.gov/. 5. Who in the family is going? Are you planning an adults-only trip? Bringing the kids? Grandparents joining? Or perhaps other family and friends? Any of these options can make for a great trip, but some destinations or accommodations are better suited for specific group sizes or ages (e.g., adults-only resorts, age restrictions for young children). It’s important to consider your travel party before finalizing a destination. 6. Does this location offer something everyone wants to do? It’s crucial to consider age-appropriateness and interest. For example, our trip to New York City with our kids (then 8 and 6) highlighted this perfectly. The boat ride to the Statue of Liberty and exploring the island were huge hits. Yet, our subsequent visit to Ellis Island, while historically rich, overwhelmed our youngest with its extensive reading, and even our older child who loves museums quickly lost interest. Just remember to sprinkle in kid-friendly breaks like children’s museums, aquariums, or parks. 7. Is the location genuinely kid-friendly? This goes beyond just having things to do. Consider stroller accessibility, family bathrooms, kid-friendly dining options, and safety for little ones. 8. How will we get there? Do we have a preference for flying, driving, or another form of transportation? Your preferred mode of transport can heavily influence your destination options, especially when factoring in travel time and cost. 9. Will the location have what we need, or will we need to bring extra items (e.g., beach chairs, cribs)? Some destinations or accommodations are better equipped for families (think resorts with cribs available or rentals with beach gear). When we went on a cruise with our oldest when he was one, I wish I had known they had diapers on the boat! Planning ahead saves luggage space and hassle! 10. Do we care about a time difference, and if so, how much of a time difference matters? Jet lag can be particularly challenging with young children. Consider how much time adjustment your family can comfortably handle, especially for shorter trips. 11. What offers or loyalty benefits do we have available to us? Think about airline miles, hotel points, credit card perks, or special discounts that could make certain destinations more accessible or affordable. Your Next Steps & Future Adventures We play this game as a family quite often. While we don’t always discuss every question, we love talking about Question 1 and are always adding to our list! Hopefully, this game helps you and your family start narrowing down your options. You’ll likely still need to spend some time researching your top contenders, but thinking through these components of a vacation can truly assist your family in finding the perfect spot. What about the rest of your dream list? Great news! There’s always another vacation around the corner. Just because some of these ideas may not work for this trip doesn’t mean they never will. Let us know where you’re thinking about going in the comments. Happy traveling, and enjoy the journey of planning!