Travel and vacation for anyone can be expensive, stressful, or fill in your word here. When you are part of a big family, travel and vacation require a LOT of planning and preparation in order to execute everything semi smoothly. Today we are going to discuss what vacation looks like right now for our family of 8 with 6 kids ages 8 years down to 5 months old. How we handle travel with 8 people in a vehicle together. And helpful tips that hopefully you can implement to make travel and vacation easier for your family in the future.
Our Currently Reality is No Travel OR Vacation
In this season of life when our kids are very young it does NOT sound like fun to travel and take a vacation. Sam and I wonder would it really be a vacation or just an expensive and stressful trip for everyone? With half our kids being 3 years old and younger we doubt they would even remember it. We have had Grandparents offer to take us all on a trip to the Beach or Mountains, so the opportunity is there. For now, we kindly turn them down knowing that at this time it would not be worth it for our family. Rather we stick to fun day trips which seems to work better for us in this season of young kids.
We have promised the kids that we will plan a trip to Disney in 2027… wish us luck! In a few years our kids will be older thus able to remember and participate more in certain activities than they can right now. Some ways we are preparing for a Disney trip are by doing research. Saving up a set amount plus wiggle room for Travel Expenses, Tickets, and a Hotel Room or Airbnb. Groceries and Eating Out, etc. We do plan to wait until there is a discount and buy tickets roughly a few months out. Lastly since this will be a weeklong trip and over 8+ hours of travel time we will work on Travel Preparation a few weeks out, so we don’t overlook or forget anything. Grandparents have also been enlisted to accompany us, so we have extra chaperones to help watch over our 6 kids.
Travel to Visit Family
When we do travel it tends to be to visit with Grandparents maybe once a year. Currently we have one set of Grandparents that live 8+ hours away. These trips are planned a few weeks out so Sam can request time of work, and family can prepare for our arrival if need be. Because I am the main one to plan and prepare for a trip, I usually being this a week out.
The Planning
Planning for a trip to visit with family looks like scheduling the visit with them first to make sure the time also works for their schedule. It’s ALOT having 8 people drop in on you and we are aware that Grandparents have their own way of preparing for our visits and need time to plan on their end as well. Sam and I also discuss a few things we may want to do on our trip. Are there any activities we want to do? Will we have time to do some Local Shopping or visit Local Attractions? What Local Restaurants do we want to eat at? What all do we need to bring? Once we discuss all we would like to do during our trip then I create a brain dump for our travel preparations.
The Visit
Once we arrive at our destination, we always offer to buy groceries or meals because we don’t expect family to foot the bill and feed us every day during our stay. We even offer to clean the house or at least the rooms we occupy during our visit. Maybe there are chores we could help with during our stay as Grandparents are not used to having 8 additional people to cook for or mess up their house. Besides many hands make light work. We also offer space during the week by taking the kids out so Grandparents can rest or enjoy some quiet down time while we are gone. Or in the evening we will retire early with the kids to the bedrooms we are occupying and let them play there. We may also cuddle, read or watch a movie together so Grandparents can get a break from our family.
We have been informed that our family can be chaotic, noisy, etc. and Sam and I agree! When you aren’t used to living in a big family day to day things can seem that way. At home things tend to be calmer because our kids know the routines and flow to the day. Of course, they are going to act like wild hooligans when being spoiled by Grandparents, and maybe Sam and I are more relaxed with certain rules in a different space. Kids also behave differently in a new or changed atmosphere. I have some kids that are quieter when in a different setting and others that like to test the boundaries to see if they still hold.
Travel for Work
Sam usually travels at least once a year for work. If it is a trip that will require him to be gone longer than a week the kids and I join him. If this is the case the planning begins two weeks out.
The Planning
Once Sam knows all the important information like where he will be going. How long the trip will be. Travel days and work hours. What accommodations will look like then I start researching the area if we have never been. I like to see what the local attractions are. What eateries we may want to try. What are the grocery store options? If we are staying at a hotel, I will research what they offer so I have a better idea of what needs to be packed. Maybe a roll of quarters to wash clothes. Bathing suits and toys for the pool, etc.
The Trip
Here is an example of how this played out on a recent work trip to Oklahoma. After doing some research on the area we planned to visit a Used Book Store one afternoon when Sam got off early. The Tulsa Aquarium on one of Sam’s days off. We visited a popular playground one evening after Sam got off work and had a picnic. One night we ate Del Taco for dinner. Sam and I are HUGE Psych fans so when we saw this was a restaurant near our hotel, we knew we had to try it. These franchises are not available where we live. While we like to say we have now tried Del Taco. 🙂 We can’t say we were impressed.
During the day while Sam was at work the kids and I were going about our daily flow. Eat breakfast. Work together to clean our room, make beds, and get dressed for the day. Doing our Morning Time work. Head outside for a walk and to play if we could find a nice grassy place. We packed outside toys from home, so the kids had something to do. Think chalk, bubbles, and some balls. Head inside for Lunch and Quiet Time. Once everyone was up, we had a Snack. Completed School Work. Then the kids got TV Time if we had everything completed for the day and Sam wasn’t “home” yet.
Family Fun Days Instead of Travel and Vacation
For the time being rather that do the travel and vacation thing we plan Family Fun Days. This may look like celebrating a Birthday with family. Having a Holiday Party for Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, etc. Maybe creating a Seasonal Bucket List with the kids of things they want to do or places to visit. For Spring we may go Berry Picking or visit a Nature Center. In the Summer we will visit a Splash Pad. In the Fall we go Apple Picking or visit a Pumpkin Patch. During the Winter we will enjoy Hot Chocolate as we drive around and look at Christmas Lights. These are just a few ideas of what we have done in the past.
Some other things we have done are Local Attractions OR Homeschool Days. Purchasing a Family Pass to our local Zoo and stopping by throughout the year. Checking out the Children’s Museum if one is nearby even though without fail everyone gets a cold a few days later… UGH! Exploring an Aquarium. Attending Library Events. Spending the day with Grandparents that live nearby. Play at a Playground then stopping for Slushes at Sonic after. Seeing what Free Events or Festivals may be in our area. Recently we got to spend the day at an Amish Barn raising which was such a fun experience!
Travel Preparation for a Big Family
Day Trip Traveling Preparations
If we are only going to be gone for the day, then I prep everything the night before. So that would mean making sure the Diaper Bag is packed. If you are curious what all I pack, then read more about that in What’s in My Diaper Bag as a Mom of 6. I set out any extra items we may need such as a Water Jug, Snacks or Picnic Lunch. Sam will make sure to have the Stroller or Wagon already loaded in the Van depending on which one we will need. Sometimes it’s both!
By having everything ready to go the night before this cuts down on the morning being stressful. All we have to focus on is eating breakfast. Getting everyone ready for the day. Loading up and heading out. Sam and I do joke that without fail I ALWAYS forget one thing. It might be my Phone, Wallet, Water, etc. While he is always willing to turn around and go back for whatever I left I tell him just keep going. Once you have 6 kids loaded up you don’t waste time back tracking!
Week+ Trip Traveling Preparations
If a trip is going to be a week or longer than the preparations begin about 72 to 48 hours before departure. I start by Brain Dumping what needs to get done and plan the details of the upcoming trip. Washing clothes if needed. I like to have the kids wearing semi matching clothes when we go on trips. A few years ago, we got in the habit of packing matching outfits or similar colored clothes for the boys. It makes it so much easier to spot everyone if we are out at a playground, Zoo, etc. when they match.
Next, I will gather items, organize them, and start packing. This of course includes Clothing for myself and the kids. Sam packs his own clothing and other items he made need. Schoolwork if that is something I have decided we will do during the trip. Typically, this is the case for Sam’s work trips but not when we visit Grandparents. Any Household Items if we are staying at a Hotel or Airbnb. Laundry Detergent and Quarters. A Candle and Lighter… YES this comes in handy in a hotel room! Groceries from home. If I already have certain things on hand like Apple Sauce Pouches, Peanut Butter, unopened Chips, Cookies, etc. I pack what food I can. We plan to Grocery Shop upon arrival or within the first 24 hours to purchase perishable items or other food things we may need during the week.
Traveling Preparations for Time in the Car
Sam often laughs at me and thinks this part of the preparations is overkill. 100% of the time I am the one either caring for the kids during the car ride while he drives. Or more recently on our move from Louisiana to Georgia, I was driving the Ford 12 Passenger Van with the kids and our cat, Cupcake while he drove the Uhual. Doing things this way makes the ride smoother for Mama! A few days out, Sam and I discuss a rough Leave Time. From there when we need to get up. When to get the kids up and ready to head out the door so we can leave on time. We also load up the night before as much as we can to help ourselves out the morning of.
I like to create a loose schedule for the car ride and change things up for the kids. We try to drive for about an hour and a half then stop for a restroom break, meal, and run off some energy. Here is an example of what a car schedule might look like.
- 8:00 a.m. Load up and head out. Listen to music and play with activities in backpacks.
For about a year know we have been using a Buddy System with the kids. Sam and I are always Buddy’s with the youngest two children. From there Olivia and Asher are buddys and Wyatt and Luc. This had made going on walks, trips to the grocery store, etc. more peaceful and efficient for us. With that being said buddys do sit next to each other during car rides. When the kids get into their seats, they will find their Skip Hop Zoo Backpacks and their blanket already there. For the first 90 minutes they get to play with whatever has been packed for them while we listen to music. I make sure to pack a Book, Imagine Ink Pad, Fidget, Small Toy, and Lovey in their backpacks.
- 9:30 a.m.- ish Bathroom break and snack. Screen Time.
We load up and the next 90 minutes may involve Screen Time. Now if travel time goes array towards the end, then by all means YES, the kids get more screen time! For example, a 9+ hour move from Louisiana to Georgia increased to almost 12+ hours. Hello, Atlanta traffic is already cruel enough. Throw in a Van filled with 5 kids ages 7 down to one AND a 20-week pregnant Mama who are all OVER being in the car and you are asking for a grouchy crew!
- 11:00 a.m.- ish Bathroom Break and Lunch. Quiet Time and Music. If we are driving during the kids’ Quiet/Nap Time, then we play calm music and tell them to rest. The younger boys usually fall asleep and sometimes the older kids will go to sleep as well. For the most part this travel schedule does help keep the kid’s calm, there is less fighting, and the car ride can even be peaceful at times.
What ways do you make travel and vacation smoother for your family?
Please share in the comments. Or read our Tips for Staying at a Hotel with Little Kids and a list of Easy Hotel OR Extended Stay Meals to Make While Traveling.
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