This week we have been looking at various aspects of planning a great family vacation. If you missed the first two parts of this series, you can get caught up by clicking on these links.

• Tips for Family Vacation Planning, Part 1: Deciding Where to Go
• Tips for Family Vacation Planning, Part 2: Budgeting

Now that you know your vacation destination and approximately how much your trip will cost, let’s make sure your bags are packed with all the necessities for the trip. (Be sure to check out my packing checklist link at the bottom of this post)

Every time I pack for a trip, I’m always so afraid I’m going to forget something important. So, I started making a list of little things that are easily forgotten in the midst of all the planning and excitement. Of course, we all know to pack the obvious: clothes, shoes, socks, toiletries.

However, the following list includes some things you might want to take also.

• Band-aids and Antibiotic Cream - Maybe I’m just part of a clumsy family, but it seems like every time we go on vacation, somebody ends up with scraped knees or elbows, or a cut of some sort. (For some reason, it seems to be me most of the time. Hum?) Well, especially with kids, you just never know.
• Insect Repellent - The bug spray may very well depend on where you are going. If you’re going camping or hiking, by all means, please take the bug spray. (I know from experience on this one too.)
• Books to Read - Take along a few books that you enjoy as well as some for your children. Remember, you’re on vacation and whether you are sitting in an airport, on a plane, or just sitting with nothing to do at the hotel, reading is a great and relaxing way to pass the extra time.
• Snacks for the Road - Grab a tote bag and a small cooler and pack a few healthy snacks and drinks for the trip. By packing your own snacks before you leave, you eliminate the need to stop and buy them at over-priced convenience stores along the way. Plus, if the kids get hungry and irritable, the snacks can help keep them occupied and satisfied until you reach your destination.
• Games for the Kids - Probably one of our favorite travel games is auto bingo. Auto bingo is great for occupying the youngsters as well as yourself. Even if you only have one child, or only one that is old enough to play the game, he will still enjoy looking for the items on the card.
• Sunscreen - If you are going to a place that you will be spending a lot of time outdoors, don’t forget to pack the sunscreen. The last thing you need is for your vacation to get ruined because you’re burnt.
• Hand Sanitizer - Actually, it’s really a good idea to keep hand sanitizer with you whether you’re on vacation or not. Since you never know what you might get into or be touching, pack the hand sanitizer, and use it.
• Your Pillow - If you have trouble sleeping in hotel beds, try taking along your own pillow. It can help you feel more comfortable and get a better night’s sleep, so you will be ready to go each morning. In addition, you may want it for napping in the car if you’re taking a long road trip.
• Camera - Last but not least, don’t forget the camera. A vacation without a camera just won’t do. Believe me, I know from experience. We once forgot our camera and bought one of those super cheap digital ones, and let’s just say, it didn’t quite measure up.

Well, I hope these packing suggestions will help make your trip a little easier. One last quick suggestion is to start a “to take” list a couple of weeks before your trip and lay it on the counter or hang it on the refrigerator. As you think of items you need to take with you, just jot them down on your list so you won’t forget.

If you’d like you can also print out my Vacation Planning: Packing List checklist. I’ve tried to include anything and everything we might want to take on our trips. Please feel free to use it for your trips also. Happy packing!

Don’t forget to join me tomorrow for the last portion in the vacation planning series, Tips for Family Vacation Planning, Part 4: Playing it Safe. In the last part of this series, I will be letting you in on a few hints to help you have both a safe trip away from home and a safe home while you’re away.

This post is linked to Homemaker Barbi for Family Friday.

Related posts:

1. Tips for Family Vacation Planning: Introduction Are you ready for that super fun great vacation with your family? I mean, are your really ready? Well, I’m...
2. Tips for Family Vacation Planning, Part 2: Budgeting Welcome back to my vacation planning series. Yesterday in Tips for Family Vacation Planning, Part 1: Deciding Where to Go,...
3. Tips for Family Vacation Planning, Part 4: Playing it Safe Are you finally packed and ready to go on that long awaited and much needed vacation? I hope that yesterday's...

Posted on April 30th, 2009 in Kids and Family | 2 Comments

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I’m off today, but you are welcome to browse my site and check out these links I’ve listed for you to enjoy.

I found some wonderful homemade Mother’s Day gifts that are sure to be a highlight to any mother’s special day. You’ll just have to take a look for yourself and see what I mean.

• Marie at Make and Takes shows how to Etch a Glass Vase for Mom. You only need a plain glass vase, a few supplies and your imagination to make a beautiful vase for mom. This looks really fun too.
• If you’re looking for a sweet and sentimental gift for mom try these great Message Gift Boxes. In her guest post on Living Locurto, Cathe Holden explains how to make these wonderful little boxes. (In addition, she gives a few other suggestions for these boxes other than just Mother’s Day gifts.)
• Blissfully Domestic has several other super cute Handmade Mother’s Day Gifts to take a look at also.

I hope you enjoyed these links. Thanks for stopping by! I’m off to play!!

Oh yeah, don’t forget to come back tomorrow for the continuation of my Vacation Planning series.

Related posts:

1. Playday Thursday: Mommy Links I’m off today, but you are welcome to browse my site and check out these links for moms I've found...
2. Happy Mother’s Day!! This is my son wishing all of you wonderful mothers an extra special Mother’s Day!!. Here are some flowers just...
3. Playday Thursday: Kids I’m off today, but you are welcome to browse my site and check out these links I’ve found for you...

Welcome back to my vacation planning series. Yesterday in Tips for Family Vacation Planning, Part 1: Deciding Where to Go, we looked at a few things to think about when deciding on the right destination for your family vacation. Today, it’s all about making sure we budget well for the trip.

Budgeting plays a vital role in making your vacation less stressful because you have a better idea of how much money your trip will cost and how much cash you should take with you.

Here is how I budget for my trips:

As with any budget, set up the categories in which you will be spending. I have listed below several to help get you started. In addition, I’ve included my Vacation Planning: Budgeting Chart for you to download if you wish.

The first three really don’t need much explanation; they are pretty straight forward, and you know how much they will cost before you leave home. However, don’t forget to write them down in your budget because they are part of your trip costs.

• Hotel- Remember to check and see if there is are additional charges for high speed internet, valet parking, or other guests services that might be of interest to you.
• Airline Tickets (if flying)
• Car Rental (if applicable)
• Gas - If you are taking a road trip try to determine an approximate number of miles you will be driving so you can get an idea of how many fill ups you might have on your trip - going, coming and at your destination.
• Attractions, Amusement Parks & Entertainment- Most large attractions and parks can be found on-line, and you can usually find ticket prices on their websites, or by calling. Sometimes there are additional costs once you get into the gate, so double check and see if those costs are also listed. In addition, some places require a fee to park your car, so allow a little extra for that.
• Meals & Snacks- This may be a little tricky. However, by determining whether you are going to eat fast food at lunch and at a nice restaurant for dinner, for example, will help you make an educated guess. Also, don’t forget to check and see if the hotel where you are staying provides a continental breakfast, a breakfast that will be added to your hotel bill, or no breakfast at all. Remember, too, that in most amusement parks, food is available, but it is usually very expensive.
• Souvenirs- I find that the best way to handle souvenirs is to set a dollar amount for each person and stick to it.
• Extra Cash for Emergency- You never know when an emergency is going to arise and you need cash to cover it. Put aside a little extra cash for emergencies, but try not to touch it for anything else on your trip.

Of course, there is no way anyone can budget to the dollar every expense for their trip. Nevertheless, if you compile a list of any expenses that you can foresee, even if some are only estimates, it will help give a better idea of how much your trip will cost and how much you should take along. Happy budgeting!

The next part in this series is Tips for Family Vacation Planning, Part 3: Don’t forget to take… In this segment, I will be listing a few things that you might not think about taking on your trip, but might wish that you had. You’ll also find a packing checklist available for you to download and print.

This post is linked to We Are THAT Family for Works for Me Wednesday.

Related posts:

1. Tips for Family Vacation Planning: Introduction Are you ready for that super fun great vacation with your family? I mean, are your really ready? Well, I’m...
2. Tips for Family Vacation Planning, Part 4: Playing it Safe Are you finally packed and ready to go on that long awaited and much needed vacation? I hope that yesterday's...
3. Tips for Family Vacation Planning, Part 3: Don’t forget to take… On Wednesday, we took a look at budgeting for a vacation in Tips for Vacation Planning, Part 2: Budgeting, so...

Posted on April 28th, 2009 in Kids and Family | 8 Comments

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