Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple calls for shutting down large gatherings, many families have experienced a vacation cancellation in recent weeks. This situation is heartbreaking for so many children and even for parents, too. However, there is no better time to start planning your next trip than now. Start planning your next trip right away and plan for the future. Begin planning where you’re going, where to stay, and what to do when you’re there!
Make a vacation folder.
Grab an empty folder from the cabinet that can be the designated vacation folder. As a quarantine activity for your stir-crazy children, let them decorate the folder based on places they want to travel to and things they want to see. Inside, keep all travelers’ passports/state ID, itineraries, addresses, instructions, confirmation numbers, and directions if you will not have an internet signal for online GPS usage. Take this folder with you everywhere you go on your vacation to keep from forgetting and losing things!
Make your packing list ahead of time.
There’s no better time to be organized and detailed than during quarantine when you can’t leave the house! Make a thorough packing list that contains everything you will need to bring on your next vacation. Have your kids make one for what they will need, and help them remember some of the things they may be forgetting. This will be a great way to get the kids excited about the next trip, while also helping you get organized and ahead of schedule.
Find a kid-friendly hotel in the area you will be traveling.
Kid-friendly hotels obviously have great accommodations to ensure your children have a blast. However, these hotels and resorts in particular often have great perks for parents, as well. Browse the variety of packages that different hotels in the area offer to find the one that best suits your family.
Find restaurants and entertainment that would suit everyone.
Looking and planning ahead to narrow down the restaurants and entertainment opportunities to a shortlist that everyone will agree on will save you a whole of time and stress during your vacation. If you really want to plan ahead, print off restaurants’ menus, and put them in your vacation folder!
Whatever you have in mind for a family vacation this year, we assure you that Smoky Mountain River Rat will provide a good time for all members of your family. We are conveniently located near Knoxville and Gatlinburg, so you can make it a week-long trip visiting the fun and gorgeous places East Tennessee has to offer. We can’t wait to see you soon!
