There’s nothing quite like a family vacation. As parents, we only get 18 summers and 18 winter breaks with our children before they grow up and want to do things on their own. These words should stick in the mind of any parent who has so far put off a family vacation because of timing, money, or even the fact that their kids are young and may not remember it. It doesn’t matter if they remember it, because YOU will. As a parent, you’re going to carry every single vacation, haircut, and the first day of school in your heart and mind for the rest of your life. Memories are moments that you can never get back and you should be doing everything possible to make memories with your children.

Below, you’re going to read some of the ways that you can make memories with your children on your next vacation:

Unplug:

Between work, social media, and the massive lack of downtime that parents get, smartphones and tablets are usually the entertainment of choice throughout the day. When you are on vacation, though, it’s time to unplug. Facebook is like an empty refrigerator; you can open it several times, and you still won’t find anything interesting in there! Put the phone away and watch things happen with your eyes, not a screen. You will be amazed at how much more wondrous every outing can be when you don’t feel attached to your devices. Dinners are tastier, sightseeing during a nights of lights shines brighter, and ordinary moments will feel magical.

For a full unplugged vacation, plan for activities sans phone. This could be a vigorous trek of a mountainside, seeing a Broadway show, or even something that would certainly leave your phone waterlogged! Take a dive and enter a search for “best molokini snorkel tour near me” if you’re visiting the beautiful beaches of Hawaii and want to experience an unforgettable undersea adventure.

Take Photos:

Taking lots of pictures of the scenery is nice, but taking photos of the kids and your family all together and having fun is so much nicer! Prepare yourself with a list of 50mm DSLR lenses so that you know the best ones to bring with you when you go, and don’t pose too much. Get the candid pictures when they’re not expecting it, and you capture those raw moments of your children discovering life – it’s exciting, and you’ll be able to hold onto those forever.

If you are hoping for tons of photo ops on your vaca, a guided tour could be the way to go as your escort will be able to show you all of the scenic spots and beloved community staples. If this is something that appeals to you, simply enter a search for “guided tour holidays” and book the trip of your dreams – minimum planning required!

Go With The Flow:

No matter what goes wrong, relax. Take it in, absorb it, and make the best of the situation at hand. You cannot predict freak weather or a delay in your flight. What you can do, though, is make the best of it. Play silly games with the kids. Run around and get some energy moving. Keep everyone calm and happy with snacks and crayons. Just go with it; you’re still going to have those, “remember when…” moments, maybe just not the ones you originally anticipated. Keep in mind that even if you experience travel chaos, there is a light at the end of the tunnel: Your vacation! All of the stress will melt away once you are on your Galapagos islands cruise, at the amusement park of your dreams, or sight seeing in a new country.

Rewind Time:

When was the last time you ran screaming toward the waves on vacation? Or built sandcastles? It’s time to put down the book and go and have some immersive, imaginative fun with the children. They’re going to love every second of you being messy with them, so go and be messy! Those are the memories that you can never get back.

Making memories on vacation is the way that you set up your future. Looking back is never sweeter than when you have a photo album full of your family in the best light possible. Take a moment, breathe it in, and enjoy!

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