How to Plan an Active Family Trip That Gets Everyone Outside — and Happy
Family travel can be one of the most rewarding ways to share your love of the outdoors with the people who matter most. But anyone who has tried to wrangle kids onto a trail or coordinate a group camping weekend knows it takes more planning than heading out solo or with a partner.
The good news: families are eager to get moving together. According to the 2025 U.S. Family Travel Survey by the Family Travel Association, NYU, and Good Housekeeping, 92% of parents say they plan to travel with their children in the next 12 months — the highest intent level since the pandemic. The payoff is real: shared memories, new experiences, and kids who grow up with a bigger sense of the world.
Here’s how to make it work without the meltdowns.
Let the Kids Help Choose the Adventure
Before you book a single campsite or cabin, hold a family meeting. Get everyone in the room — or on a call — to discuss ideas. Ask each family member, including the kids, what they want to do or see. This prevents resentment later and builds genuine excitement.
The data backs this up. Anna Abelson, adjunct instructor at the NYU SPS Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality and co-author of the 2025 U.S. Family Travel survey, notes: “Our survey confirms an important shift in family dynamics toward ‘kidfluence,’ with children now serving as true ‘co-pilots’ in trip planning. The positive results of involving them are clear: 84% of parents report it makes their kids more adaptable and open to new experiences. Sixty-one percent of parents reported that involving children in travel planning has a positive impact on their child’s happiness and engagement during the trip. This generation of young travelers is highly digitally native, finding inspiration via social media and digital platforms. The planning experience is evolving rapidly, driven by the next generation’s input and the digital tools available to their parents.”
Pick a Destination With Something for Everyone
Consider the ages of your kids. A toddler and a teenager have very different needs — and very different stamina on a trail. Look for destinations with a mix of activities: something for the adults and something for the kids.
National and state parks are a strong draw. Lexie Sachs, Executive Director of Strategy and Operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute, notes: “Although beach vacations are most popular among families, parents are more likely to plan city (36%) and national or state park visits (37%), while grandparents lean into museum and cultural trips when it’s just them and the grandkids (40% skip-gen).”
That 37% figure is encouraging for active families who want to build trips around hiking, cycling, or paddling rather than poolside lounging. Additionally, 70% of families prioritize amenities for children when choosing accommodation, per Condor Ferries’ 2025 family travel statistics.
Set a Realistic Budget — and Pad It
The average American family spent around $8,052 on travel in 2024, per the 2025 U.S. Family Travel survey. Add a 10-15% buffer for unexpected costs — a sick day, a lost bag, or an impromptu ice cream stop after a long hike.
Save money by booking lodging with a kitchen to cut dining costs, which also makes it easier to prep trail-ready meals and snacks. Look into family passes for museums, parks, and transit.
Book Early and Plan Smart
Family-friendly accommodations like adjoining rooms, suites, and vacation rentals sell out faster than standard rooms. Vacation rentals like Airbnb or VRBO are often cheaper and more practical than hotels for larger families — and they typically offer more space to store gear.
Flying with kids? Midweek flights are cheaper and less crowded. Book seats together at checkout. Don’t assume the airline will seat your family together automatically.
Plan Around Kids’ Stamina
Overscheduling is a common family travel mistake, especially for active families tempted to pack in every trail and overlook. Build in rest time every afternoon, especially for young children. Lock in your accommodations and any major ticketed attractions, then leave the rest flexible.
Handle Logistics and Manage Expectations
Check visa requirements for all travelers — kids and even babies need their own passports in most countries. Consider travel insurance for unexpected issues. Pack a dedicated kid bag with snacks, activities, chargers, and any medications they might need.
Finally, accept that something will go wrong. That’s part of the trip. Kids often remember the funny disasters more than the perfect days. Build in low-pressure time: a morning at the hotel pool, a slow walk to nowhere. Those unscripted moments often become the memories your family talks about for years.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
