In my mind, the cold winter months are the best time to fly, while summer is the best time to drive.
So, every year when the weather warms up, I start planning vacations within driving distance of our small-town Saskatchewan home. And luckily for me, there are quite a few!
Want to plan a road trip and you’re not sure how to get started?
This month, I’m sharing my top three choices for summer road trips with kids that the whole family will enjoy.
Wilderness Adventure
When my boys and I want to spend a week away without having to drive too far to reach our destination, camping in a nearby provincial or national park is always something we enjoy.
From spending time on the beach to running around the playgrounds to biking along the campsite paths, there’s always plenty to keep the whole family entertained.
And, it’s a vacation that’s suitable for everyone from babies to adults.
Even better, many campsites now offer rentals of ready-to-camp tents so that you don’t need a lot of gear to have a lot of fun outside!
City Exploration
Spending a long weekend exploring the attractions in a nearby city is something that’s educational as well as fun!
Visiting local art galleries and museums is a peaceful way to spend an afternoon, while local festivals can provide active and entertaining fun for all ages.
Just make sure to check a few websites to find the city’s hotspots and make a list of the top places to eat!
Family Bonding
There’s no better season to enjoy a little time with your extended family than summer, because it turns a regular visit into a vacation!
Take a little extra time to plan some outings with relatives, whether it’s something extravagant like dinner and a show, or simply spending an afternoon at a local splash park.
The extra time spent with relatives that you don’t see very often is so important for helping kids to bond with their extended family.
You could even send your little ones out with family members on a special excursion of their own! They’ll appreciate the chance to connect with one another and you’ll get a break!
In the average summer, my boys and I make at least one of each of these road trips, and sometimes many more than that.
To make a spontaneous trip easy, I keep a bag in the car that contains a change of clothes for each of us and a few basic toiletries so that we’re always ready to hit the road.
No matter where you live, there are sure to be all kinds of fun adventures within driving distance.
Pick your favorite, pack up the kids and get ready to enjoy some summer fun on the road this year!
This looks like a lot of fun. The fun and excitement of the amusement park but the serenity of the calm lake.
We live really close to lots of parks, mountains, lakes, camp sites, AND the city, so we do lots of trips like this all summer. It helps that I only work 2 days a week… The best time spent is on adventures with our kids, so we try to make the most of the time we have with them and almost always include our parents so that there is lots of quality family time. My husband is a big outdoor adventurist who grew up in the country, so he plans our hikes and camping trips, and I look for the city fun. It’s a good balance. :-)
Beautiful family
I really love this post. I like all your options and the one I like best is the family bonding. Now that I am older,, I want my children and grandchildren to realize the uniqueness and affection of being a member of a large extended family. Nothing is more important to pass on to your family.