Family Getaway – We all need to take a break every so often. Between a hectic work schedule, chores, raising children, running errands, and helping out friends and family – you get worn out quickly each year.
Some time off from your every day responsibilities to unwind, recharge, rejuvenate and restore your passion for life is required. After a holiday, you tend to re-engage with your life with a fresh perspective, a new well of energy and a renewed sense of vigour for life’s demands.
And Easter is the perfect time for a holiday. Not as many people tend to travel during the Easter break, apart from shorter trips to go camping or hiking, so the more prominent tourist destinations are less crowded when compared to the summer holidays. But what if you’re unsure how to plan your family getaway over this period? Fear not, because this helpful article will share the top tips for Aussie families planning a holiday over Easter. Read on to discover more.
Consider a Holiday Package
You may want to research holiday packages for your trip away this Easter. A holiday package is an all-inclusive deal covering your flights, accommodations, meals, tours and other incidentals. This can be an excellent way to save money on a family trip because package deal companies rely on sales volume that gives them decent discounts. You may save a few hundred on a package deal when compared to booking everything by yourself. And some choice getaway locations are available for package deals, such as Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia or even a close overseas location such as Bali or a Pacific Island.
Set a Budget
This is an essential part of any holiday planning. Holidays tend to be expensive once you factor in the cost of your holiday package, spending money, food, local activities, hire car, souvenirs and more. You should know how much surplus money you have in your household budget, which should inform what you can do when away and how much you can afford to spend. While it’s tempting to run up the credit card while you’re on your family getaway, try to avoid this as credit card interest rates are high, and you could spiral into a debt trap. Enjoying a holiday within your means gives you a sense of achievement and won’t stress you out when you get home.
Plan to Keep the Kids Entertained
A family holiday will be exciting for your kids, especially if it’s their first. However, as you probably already know, young kids can get bored and antsy quickly. You should plan ahead some ways to keep them entertained, for both the flight and when you reach your destination.
Pack a bag for the flight with things that will keep the kids busy, such as colouring-in, smart devices, headphones, small games, toys, and puzzles that will occupy them while flying. You can also pack a bag with the same items if you’re driving, instead of flying.
Once you arrive, book some local activities the kids will enjoy. You might find a local kids’ entertainment activity, such as a play or concert, or you could take them to a nearby adventure park or playground. If you’re staying on the Gold Coast, the big theme parks are an obvious choice. A day at the beach is also a great idea if you’re staying in a coastal region.
Try to tire your kids out during the day so they’re not restless and bored come the evening. This way, they’ll get to sleep quickly and have plenty of energy for the next big day.
Write A List of Things to Pack
The last thing you want is to arrive at your holiday destination only to realise that you’ve forgotten an essential item and have to scramble to find it locally. Sit down and make a checklist of everything you need to pack before you leave, then cross it off the list as you pack. Here’s an example list of everything a young family might need to bring:
- Clothes
- Medications
- Devices and chargers
- Nappies and wet wipes
- Favourite toys
- Car safety seats
- Passports (if travelling overseas)
- ID
- Wallets/purses
- Stroller/pram
- Toys/puzzles/games
- Easter eggs for the egg hunt
- Snacks
- Hats
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
This example list should get you started. Once you’re finished packing, get your partner to double-check the list and bags in case you’ve missed something in the excitement. It pays to be prepared for your family getaway.
Pack Things to Keep Yourself Sane
Travelling with kids can be stressful at times, so the parents must have a few things that they can indulge in to relax. So try to make things you’ll enjoy in your downtime when the kids are asleep. You might pack some books, some light puzzles or games to play with each other at night, or a laptop or tablet to stream movies and shows.
A Family Sojourn Summary
This helpful article has shared some top tips for planning an Aussie family getaway over the Easter break. Follow this list when planning your family trip, and you’ll avoid any headaches caused by being unprepared. Have an excellent Easter holiday!